Paris Trip- Fall 2010

Been to paris couple times already.. This is the first time really explore the city by myself and do it as a local way (taking subway and bus, instead of company paid chauffeur drove me around), sadly, it usually took me 30-40 mins to really find out the right direction where i was supposed to be, (not difficult to imagine how terrible i am on reading the map... ) but it was totally fun to get lost in the beautiful Paris...

summary of my Fall 10' Paris trip

9/22 day 1

Arrived Paris Gare du Nord at 4pm, took a cab to Castille Paris Hotel on Cambon (right next to Chanel HQ), a quick checked in and rushed out to attend 25th Biennale Antique Show at Grand Palais, http://www.bdafrance.eu/ , (M#1 to Champs Elysees) what i found the most fascinating were the fine jewelry section, presented by the world luxury brands such as Piaguet, Chanel, Van Cleef and Arpels, Cartier.... after 2 hrs of intensive walked thru the show, met w friend and head over to Nomiya at Palais de Tokyo for dinner (M#9 to Alma Marceau)


* Nomiya: an art installation restaurant by Laurent Grasso, partner with chef Gilles Stasstart and commissioned by Electrolux, which will be closed in June 2011, total of 2 years duration suited at Palsis de Tokyo http://www.nomiya.org/ , with 100 Euro dinner meal, i would only give food itself 2.5 stars (total 5 stars rating), however, the dining experience and the exquisite night view of Tour Eiffel are nothing can compare with... they also provide lunch and free day tour for this installation, make sure make reservation a month before the visit...

9/23 day 2:

it has been a blessed for the past few days in Europe, got quite a good temperature to walk around... and got lucked out to experience Paris Metro strike today.. Regardless, 1st mission of the day was to check out Hermes store on St. Honore... not a wise move.. end up spent $$ on their fall collection (note, this was totally a impulsive purchase, don't ask.. i was out of my mind to get the 1st Hermes retail price bag and it's not even birkin or kelly, hoping it has resale value in the future)... after the heart pumping purchase, headed over to Centre Pampidou for contemporary art http://www.centrepompidou.fr/ (M#14 to Chatelet and transfer M#11 to Hotel de Ville or M#4 to Les Halles and walked down on Rue Berger), scouting a random street creperie for lunch.. yumm.. walked all the way east on Rue Verrerie found couple nice vintage shops, the one i like is Vintage Bar (16 rue de verrerie) and hit into Le Marais area (or take M# 8 to Filles du Calvaire), wandering around Rue due Poitou, Rue Vielle du Temple and get a Le Marais walking map from any store for more boutique info definitely check out Delphine-Charlotte Parmentier (26 rue du Bourg Tibourg), Corpus Christi (64 rue vieille du Temple)... after few hours of window shopping, my stomach was growling, can't wait for the dinner reservation at Le Cheateaubriand (29 Avenue Parmentier)

* Le Cheatearubridand, rank top 11 restaurant of the world, (M#11 to Concourt) http://www.theworlds50best.com/awards/1-50-winners/le-chateaubriand , food rating 3 stars.. maybe it's located outside of Paris central the price for the dinner prix fixe is wallet friendly compare w other listed restaurants, only 50 euro for 6 courses

9/24 day 3

started w a lazy late woke up morning... today's agenda is to cover St. Germain area, but first, have to fill up the energy.. train over to Odeon (M#4 exit Carrefour de L'Odeon) and try to see if can get seat at Le Comptior... no luck.. it was fully packed and w long waiting line on the street!!!!! end up walked down on Rue de L'Ancienne, got a quick bite at Eric Kayser, it's a pastry chain store, deliver good small bites... couple store list for St. Germain to remind myself

* Perigot (15 rue du Dragon) has couple other locations in the city, carries chic home accessories http://perigot.fr/

* Pierre Hermes (72 rue Bonaparte, M#4 to Saint Sulpice) has several locations, only St. Germain store open on weekend get their amazing macron, pastries and croissants

red current filling croissant... insanely delicious 

* La Bon Marche (M# 12 to Sevres Babylone) a boutique dept store like Barneys, open late on Thursday and Friday.. http://www.lebonmarche.com/#home,a-la-une
as for today's dinner, going casual... had ramen at sapporo on St. Honore

9/24 day 4

my friend Noreen's last day in Paris, we've decided to go back to Le Comptior.. this time arrived super early at 11:30, however, the store won't serve until 12:10.. ugh.. took a short walk around the hood again... finally, got our table and enjoy my 1st french bistro food this time...

* Le Comptior (5 carrefour de L'Odeon, right next to Hotel Relais)
http://www.hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain.com/
after lunch, i went check out Champs- Elysee stores and back to St. Honore area for last day window shopping... highlight of the nite was walk-in dinning at Les Cocottes w my long time missed new york friend Lily... we haven't seen each other in new york for almost 4 years.. and reunion while we both were on vacation...

* Les Cocottes (135 Rue St. Dominique, M#8 to Ecole Militaire) http://www.leviolondingres.com/
this is the BEST MEAL I had this trip... rating 4 stars!!!! the restaurant doesn't accept reservation, better get there early or after 9.. i arrived around 8 pm waited about an hr for the table.. i've ordered Entree and Cocotte du jour which were all delicious and finally the most amazing chocolate dessert i ever had... FABULESU TARTE AU CHOCOLATE DE CHRISTIAN CONSTANT.. a perfect dessert to end my sweet night~~~~

best chocolate tarte i ever had....

9/26 day 5

my last half day in Paris, alarm rang at 9am.. packed up all the stuff to make sure everything can be fitted in my suitcase... 10:30 head over to Les Puces, (M# 4 to Porte de Clignancourt) the world biggest flea market... it's all the way on the east of Paris central.. when i got off the metro surrounding is quite sketchy.. make sure aware of pick pockets... walk toward a concrete building across the highway and follow the crowd pass thru "junky clothing market" and head to rue de Rosiers on the left hand side is the antique market... http://www.parisperfect.com/paris-flea-markets.php, try to be there before noon as it gets crowded afterwards

final lunch at L’Avant Comptoir (9 carrefour de l’Odéon) right next to Le Comptior, the best creperia i have with delicious small dishes. http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/standing-room-only-lavant-comptoir-in-paris/

ps.... i really have problem to arrange photos on the blog.. hope someone can give me advice one day.. if anyone ever check this blog....> <

my other restaurant list

* Le Regalade (124 rue St Honore, M#1 to Louvre-Rivoli)

* Frenchie (5 rue de Nil, M# to Sentier)

* Pierre Garnaire (6 rue Balzac, M# to Charles de Gaullie-Etoile)
* L'Ardoise (28 rue du Mont Thabor) 01 42 96 28 18 http://www.lardoise-paris.com/
*Bob's Kitchen (74 rue des Gravilliers) brunch http://www.bobsfoodetc.com/

store shopping list

* Le 66 (66 ave des Champs-Elysees, M to Franklin D. Roosevelt) - a multi brand boutique
* L'Eclaireur (10 rue Boissy d'Anglas, M to Franklin D. Roosevelt)
* Franck Et Fils (80 rue de Passy, M to La Muette)
*Montaigne Market (57 ave Montaigne, M to Franklin D roosevlet)
* Spree (16 rue de la Vieuville, M to Abbesses)
* La Vallee Village (3 cours de la Garonne)- outlet 35 mins from paris, tkae RER A4 to Val d'Europe
http://www.lavalleevillage.com/fr_FR/
*Reciproque (rue de la Pompe, M to Rue de la Pompe)- luxury couture designer discount store
*G. Detou (58 rue Tiquetonne)- food shopping  http://www.gdetou.com/
* 39V restaurant (39 avenue George V, +33 1 56 62 39 05) chef Frederic Vardon use d to work for Alain Ducasse

Spa:
O'Kari Hammam (22 rue Dussoubs)
Stay:
*Little Palace Hotel (4 rue salmomon de caus) http://www.littlepalacehotels.com/. double bed 190 euro and up

Drink:
*Experimental Cocktail Bar (37 rue St-Sauveur) http://www.experimentalcocktailclub.com/
*Derriere (69 rue des Gravilliers) http://www.derriere-resto.com/
*Moroccan Resturant 404
*Club Andy Wahloo
*Bistro La Trinquette

Gallery
*Lebenson Gallery (56 rue Chapon) http://www.lebensonggallery.com/

more to come.....
* Le musee du chocolate
*La Gaite Lyrique - modern art