Masa 14 Dining Room - Photo Courtesy of Thrillist

Even in today’s tough economy, miraculously somehow the local DC metropolitan area restaurant industry has managed to bode relatively well despite the downturn. It is even more astounding that there have been so many restaurants opening this fall. The following includes a brief listing of recent restaurant openings:

Kellari Taverna - Owner Stavros Aktipis and Partner Gregory Zapantis have brought their authentic Greek fare and fresh-from-the Mediterranean fish to the nation’s capital from New York City. Executive Chef, Anthony Acinapura will oversee the authentic Mediterranean fare menu featuring specialty appetizers designed for sharing and fresh seafood. Kellari, Greek for “wine cellar”, will feature an extensive collection of Greek and international wines. In the space formerly occupied by Restaurant K by Alison Swope, the 7,500 sqft space has been re-designed by New York designer, Yianni Skordas of Skordas Design Studio to create a warm and inviting European feeling.  Kellari boasts a new ambient lounge and bar, a chef’s table, and a wine cellar. Location: 1700 K Street NW; tel: (202) 535-5274

Masa 14 - Chef Richard Sandoval, who brought us his marriage of Latin-Asian flavors, Zengo has partnered with award winning Chef Kazuhiro “Kaz” Okochi of Kaz Sushi Bistro to bring us their new joint concept serving Latin and Asian small plates. After several months of anticipation, the 5,000 square foot restaurant just north of Logan Circle opened on Monday, October 12, 2009. The menu includes seafood dishes, meat and poultry, noodles and rice, to tacos to wood-oven flatbread pizzas ranging in price from $6 to $14. Antonio Burrell will serve as the Chef de Cuisine, formerly of the CommonWealth Gastro Pub in Columbia Heights. His career also includes working for six years at Vidalia and Bistro Bis under Chef/Owner Jeffrey Buben. Location: 1825 14th Street, NW; tel:  (202) 328-1414  

Red Curry – The family-owned Mai Thai restaurant on King Street in Old Town, Alexandria has opened a new 200+ seat pan-Asian style restaurant in the former 100 King space a so-called cursed location.  Red Curry will offer fine dining establishment with a sushi bar, and dishes representing the best of all Asian countries–Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Vietnam. On the menu includes: Sushi — selections include nigiri/sashimi/maki, plus signature rolls like the spicy tuna/crab/avocado/fish roe “Union”, the salmon/squid/fried yellowtail/Tobiko “Shogun” and the “Sumo”, stuffed with lump crab. Heartier fare includes “Asian Grill” items like the salmon/shrimp/scallop/pineapple Coconut Curry Seafood and the asparagus/zucchini/peppers Laos Steak, as well as house specials including the lemongrass/leek/okra/tumalie chili sauce Chicken Peppercorn, and Korean-style “Incheon Bulgogi”. Location: 100 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia; tel: (703) 739-9600

SeventhHILL -The owners of Montmartre took over the space next door which was formerly a Ben & Jerry’s and re-designed the inside into a galley pizzeria. Despite the French ownership, all of SeventhHill’s pizzas on the menu are named after nearby Capitol Hill locations, such as Navy Yard and Eastern Market and range in price from $9.95-10.95 for an 8″ and $15.95-16.95 for a 12″. Diners many also custom-top their pies, or go for the Soup-du-Jours or daily panini that use bread fresh-baked in the same brick oven. Location: 327 7th St., SE, Washington, DC 20003. tel: (202) 544-1911

The Reserve - The former Ollie’s Trolley L Street location which has served as a Washington landmark for over 30 years has been reopened after being renovated and renewed to reveal the new Reserve- a 140-seat restaurant/wine bar/lounge by owner and night life veteran, Moe Hamdan. The large and alluring grand castle doors invite patrons to step into the warm and seductive style of the Reserve with finished brick walls, santos mahogany hardwood floors, marble table tops, brushed spiral metal staircases and custom oak wood floors. The newly appointed Executive Chef, Frederik De Pue, a Belgian native will execute Reserve’s new menu of international tapas menu offering tapas such as beef tartar, confided duck pancakes, crusted black sesame tuna, and guinea hen jalousie, there is something for every palate on the menu. In addition, Reserve’s in house sommelier, Olivier Ledoux will preside over his handpicked 100 wines from all regions of the world. Meet Ledoux for his Wine Down Wednesdays – weekly wine tastings that will be hosted by select wineries to educate guests. Location: 1426 L Street, NW; tel: (202) 628-8900)

•  Masa 14-
• SeventhHILL -
• Sou’Wester -
• Bibiana Osteria Enoteca -
• Blue Ridge

Montmatre, París. Julio 2006

Lloraban las cuerdas la pena del músico y su gemido, tan inadvertido como el viento entre las ramas, cubría el adoquinado del barrio inundando las calles de misterio y belleza.

I have always dreamed of being in a band. And when I was in Paris at the weekend, we spotted this on the ground, outside my favourite shop in Montmatre.

I’ve been to Paris a few times now, but have never seen any of the cemetries there. We went to Cimitiere Montparnasse because I wanted to see Jean Seberg’s tombstone. It was very sunny that day. And she was nowhere in sight.

I found Serge Gainsbourg’s instead.  His was filled  with cigarettes, metro tickets other curiousities like this Bob charm.

It was a funny coincidence as only two days ago, my friend Siobhan was telling us how she liked the name Bob. We decided that the Bob in Twin Peaks was one Bob we didn’t like.

The best thing about being away is having the time to walk about. I remember when I lived in Edinburgh thinking that it was lacking a river. Having a river = having bridges. Bridges make a city very pretty.

Walking around a city is the best way to discover hidden gems. Nothing is better than stumbling upon a spot of beauty.

Or spotting the prettiest petits fours. When travelling, breakfast can be long and leisurely. Not unlike a weekend brunch. We had a breakfast of freshly baked breads. We were served a selection of yummy jams and nutella. Mmm..

I like revisiting cities that I love. You end up with a list of favourite places. Almost like you lived in that city.  In Paris, a favourite gallery is the Fondation Cartier.

The exhibition we saw was Grafitti- Born on the Streets. On the way out, we spotted a bunch of grafitti artists tagging a wall propped up in front of the building. It was a nice touch by the curators.

]]> http://thirstybackpacker.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/day-of-the-dead/ Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:16:31 +0000 thirstybackpacker http://thirstybackpacker.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/day-of-the-dead/

Paris – 15th April 2009

I get up early and head across to the Catacombes. Its before 10, and there is a massive line curling down the street already. By the time I reach the entrance, the electronic device telling you the amount of people was well into 150 territory.

Heading down the stairs, it gets a little creepy. And there is a tonne of underground walkways to get through before actually entering the Catacombes. But once there you get amazed at the fact there is hundreds and thousands of bones around. And all arranged in a beautiful, yet eerily morbid way. It really is pretty amazing to see such a thing, and to realise why this occured. Its a labyrinthe full of bones. It winds its way for well over a 1km underground. Pretty unreal.

After heading up for some fresh air, and noticing bones on the counter. To which the security guy said someone was trying to steal. I’m more amazed that someone actually wanted to steal a persons bone, why the hell would you want a bone for. Idiots. I start to make my way towards another place with a one way entrance.

I head across town to the Perre La Chaise Cemetary. Some of you may have heard of it. But its one of the most famous and most visited cemetaries in the world.

The first port of call is actually trying to locate where these people have their graves. I go a bit easy and just try to hit 3 famous people. Chopin, Morrison, and Wilde.

The first one I stumbled upon was Chopin, the famous composers. He had a rather elegant gravestone, that was really easy to spot. The next one was Jim Morrison, which was kind of hard, mainly cause he’s hidden in a crop of graves.

The one thing I do like about these foreign cemetaries is that they have unreal mausoleoms that are amazing. This is a pretty interesting cemetary, in parts its overgrown and looks creepy, where as in other parts its clean and well manicured.

The last one I found was Oscar Wilde. He had a pretty impressive gravestone. Rather impressive. And he was right at the back of the cemetary. So I decide to be weird and have some lunch with old mate Oscar. It is definitely one of the better tombs Ive seen.

I spice things up a little bit, and then head up to Montmatre. I start to walk up the hill to the Basillica de Sacre Cour. Yet get stopped by one of those dodgey guys with the wrist band things. Funny thing is, I let him go and do it as I know I have limited money, actually all shrapnel, and when he asks for money I simple offer up all I have. Score.

I then head up on top of the hill at Montmatre, and soak up the view that is there. There are a tonne of people around, just chilling, drinking, jamming and having a good time. I head into Sacre Cour for a bit and a look around. As I say, seen one church seen them all basically.

I then walk around the artist part of the hill, there are a tonne of people doing portraits for those gullible enough to pay. I walk around the back streets and stumble upon a Dali Museum, before realising its gonna cost too much. Then head back and grab a crepe. One of the best tasting I have had.

I end up checking out the Arc De Triomphe and see how it goes in the daylight. Its pretty cool. There are some cool memorials underneath it, with the unknown solider and plaques to all the battles the french have been involved in.

Later that night I end up in a bar down from Richards (CS host) and him and his mate are watching another champions league semi…can someone give me some rugby league please? We drink some beer and watch Man Utd v Porto. I hope Porto win, but no its a lost cause when Ronaldo pumps in a corker of a goal. Disappointed we head back to sleep.

Chef de Cuisine, Cedric Maupillier

When Central Michel Richard’s Chef de Cuisine, Cedric Maupillier isn’t in this Powerspot’s kitchen cooking for others, he likes to spend his free time shopping for the best ingredients possible around and cooking with his close friends. (Central Michel Richard’s most recent award includes the 2009 Rammy for Power Spot of the Year). On his day off last Sunday, which was his first Sunday off in one year, he cooked for his friends. At his table was Petrossian Alverta President Caviar with blinis, Grilled Calamari ceviche, prime, dry age rib eye steak with parsley, shallots, garlic, olive oil. He didn’t mention salt, but I’m sure that it’s in there. 

Chef Cedric was gracious enough to tell us where and what he eats while dining in DC. 

For the FULL Article … Click here ….

Ok, so I do know that it’s not really in the remit of this blog to keep posting about foreign food experiences (we are 54 food miles) but I just had to say something about my trip to Paris.

Predictably, the trip pretty much centered around food (well why on earth wouldn’t it?) and it was delicious. Of course, every good meal should start with an apperatif, and what better one is there than champagne?

Luckily for me, and my journalist’s wallet, there was a handy little Nicolas very near our lovely Latin Quarter hotel which sold half a bottle of good champagne brut for 11 euros. So we had it on the balcony overlooking the Pantheon:

Champagne a la Pantheon

The amazing thing about Paris is that no matter where you are, be it a run-down street in Pigalle, or a posh avenue in the 7th arrondissement, the chances are you’ll be within about two metres of a boulangerie (translate: cake shop), an artisan chocolatier or a deli of some sort.

I didn’t manage to eat as much as I window shopped, but let’s just say I glimpsed more cakes, macaroons, cheeses, croissants and chocolates in three days than some poor sods see in a lifetime:

Mmmm... pastry and cream...

...and some more

well I couldn't leave out the cheese, could I?

Unquestionably my favourite restaurant of the whole trip was Le Chartier, in Montmarte. We had to queue for about 45 minutes to get in – which normally I’m no good at, but my much-travelled housemate told me it would be worth the wait, and it was.

Queueing to get into Le Chartier

The huge, high ceilinged dining room was bustling with Parisians all picking their way through the honest brasserie fare of escargot, steak and fish, and our waitress was like a modern day culinary Edith Piaf – small, French and fiery.

It’s the kind of place they pack you in, treat you mean and write your food order on your table cloth.

I started with a deliciously simple salad of chicory with Roquefort. The dressing was just incredible. It was the kind of dressing that makes you sit there polishing your plate with French bread. Then I had steak au poivre.

the dining room at Le Chartier

our order

salad avec Roquefort

look at those frites!

We then finished off half a bottle of Buzet, before heading off to the  Sacre Coeur for some much needed ice cream.

Anyone else got some Paris food stories?

Ok, so I do know that it’s not really in the remit of this blog to keep posting about foreign food experiences (we are 54 food miles) but I just had to say something about my trip to Paris.

Predictably, the trip pretty much centered around food (well why on earth wouldn’t it?) and it was delicious. Of course, every good meal should start with an apperatif, and what better one is there than champagne?

Luckily for me, and my journalist’s wallet, there was a handy little Nicolas very near our lovely Latin Quarter hotel which sold half a bottle of good champagne brut for 11 euros. So we had it on the balcony overlooking the Pantheon:

Champagne a la Pantheon

The amazing thing about Paris is that no matter where you are, be it a run-down street in Pigalle, or a posh avenue in the 7th arrondissement, the chances are you’ll be within about two metres of a boulangerie (translate: cake shop), an artisan chocolatier or a deli of some sort.

I didn’t manage to eat as much as I window shopped, but let’s just say I glimpsed more cakes, macaroons, cheeses, croissants and chocolates in three days than some poor sods see in a lifetime:

Mmmm... pastry and cream...

...and some more

well I couldn't leave out the cheese, could I?

Unquestionably my favourite restaurant of the whole trip was Le Chartier, in Montmarte. We had to queue for about 45 minutes to get in – which normally I’m no good at, but my much-travelled housemate told me it would be worth the wait, and it was.

Queueing to get into Le Chartier

The huge, high ceilinged dining room was bustling with Parisians all picking their way through the honest brasserie fare of escargot, steak and fish, and our waitress was like a modern day culinary Edith Piaf – small, French and fiery.

It’s the kind of place they pack you in, treat you mean and write your food order on your table cloth.

I started with a deliciously simple salad of chicory with Roquefort. The dressing was just incredible. It was the kind of dressing that makes you sit there polishing your plate with French bread. Then I had steak au poivre.

the dining room at Le Chartier

our order

salad avec Roquefort

look at those frites!

We then finished off half a bottle of Buzet, before heading off to the  Sacre Coeur for some much needed ice cream.

Anyone else got some Paris food stories?

Same services, same amenities, drastically different budgets

Photo courtesy of Haven in Paris

Text by Genevieve Sandifer

When you think vacation, what first springs to mind? Finally getting a full night’s sleep in luxurious sheets, sleeping in ‘til noon, lifelong friendships that spring from random chance encounters in corner cafés, soaking in the sun without a care in the world… But as you surely well know, thanks to falling currencies and the pervasive doom-and-gloom attitude, everyone is being a little more careful about throwing money away for a little square of paradise. Staying in “budget” hotels, though, can often be worse than not getting away at all: questionable cleanliness, rude concierges, cigarette-tinged rooms, second-rate sheets and towels… you’d be better off at home.

We made a few calls, did a little research and put together a shortlist of the rates of some of Paris’ notable higher-end hotels, and compared them to how much you would spend for the same standards of luxury in a Haven in Paris property — to show you show you just how advantageous having your own home away from home can be. Click through for step-by-step price comparisons…

Now, more than ever, renting an apartment seems like the only way to have the living standards you’re looking for, without shelling out the inflated rates hotels feel entitled to charge tourists desperate for a getaway. Luckily, there’s Haven in Paris. All of the Haven in Paris properties are outfitted with the amenities you’re used to finding in luxury hotels: plush and bountiful linens, fresh flowers and complementary wine, flat-screen TVs with international channels… Except HIP goes the extra mile. We provide expertly decorated, elegant spaces with breathtaking views instead of four-walls-and-a-bathroom; plentiful closet space instead of a luggage rack; fully equipped kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances instead of a limited, overpriced room-service menu; computers and free WIFI instead of minute-rates for internet service you can’t seem to connect to. With all this, it’s hard to believe it costs less to stay in one of our luxurious properties – but it is! And we can prove it.

First, take a look at our weekly prices*:

Livingstone penthouse – 775 euros/week for 2 people (studio, 1 bath), or approx 55 euros/night/person

Elzevir – 1550 euros/week for 4 people (1 bedroom, 1 bath), or approx 55 euros/night/person

Rosiers – 1850 euros/week for 4 people (2 bedrooms, 1 bath), or approx 60 euros/night/person

St Germain Luxe – 2295 euros/week for 4 people (2 bedrooms, 2 bath) or approx 82 euros/night/person

Monceau – 2300 euros/week for 6 people (2 bedrooms, 2 bath, real sofabed in living room), or approx 55 euros/night/person

Roi Doré – 3350 euros/week for 8 people (3 bedrooms, 2 bath, sofa bed in living room), or approx 60 euros/night/person

… and that’s just a taste of the more than 20 handpicked properties we offer.

Now take a look at the rates of hotels offering the same type of amenities and standards of hospitality (in order of least to most expensive)*:

Mama Shelter:
2 people, rates ranging from 89 to 219 euros/night
4 people, rates ranging from 178 to 438 euros/night
Average week for 2 people: 1078, or 77 euros/night/person
Average week for 4 people: 2156 euros, or 77 euros/night/person

Hotel Particulier Montmartre:
2 people in standard room: 290 euros/night
4 people in luxury suite (2 beds, 1 bath): 490 euros/night
Average week for two people: 2030 euros, or 145 euros /night/person
Average week for four people: 3430 euros, or 123 euros/night/person

Hotel Montalembert:
2 people in standard queen room: 320 euros/night
4 people in adjoining rooms: 400 euros/room/night = 800 euros/night
Average week for two people: 2240, or 160 euros/person/night
Average week for four people: 5600, or 200 euros/person/night

Hotel Costes:
2 people in a standard room, with a queen-sized bed: 550 euros/night
4 people in two standard rooms: 1100 euros/night
Average week for two people: 3850 euros
Average week for four people: 7700 euros
Average price/person/night: 275 euros/night/person

Hotel Le Bristol:
2 people, standard room: 750 euros/night
4 people in 2 adjacent rooms with a living room: 3150 euros/night
Average week for 2 people: 5250 euros, or 375 euros/night/person
Average week for 4 people: 22,050, or 787 euros/night/person

Hotel George V:
2 people, standard rooms without living area: 730 – 895 euros/night
2 people, rooms with small living area: 1040 euros/night
4 people, suite communicating with deluxe room: 2890/night
Average week for 2 people: 6218, or 444 euros/night/person
Average week for 4 people: 20,230, or 722 euros/night/person

… need we say more? Visit us at haveninparis.com for a full list of affordable luxury vacation apartments.

*Prices listed based on low-season, non-discounted rates

**Prices listed are approximate, not guaranteed and based on low-season rates.

Publicado por: Sergi Soler

También conocida como la ciudad del amor o la ciudad de la luz, París goza de atractivos tan diversos y barrios tan distintos, que cuando uno la visita, descubre un sinfín de sensaciones y de posibilidades. En París todo es grande, desde sus avenidas hasta su sorprendente metro. Sorprendente porque es enorme y porque hay líneas vanguardistas que cuentan con vagones automatizados que no precisan conductor y otras líneas, en que los vagones utilizan neumáticos de camión para moverse, en lugar de circular por los convencionales raíles. La Torre Eiffel en vivo es espectacular y la arquitectura de sus edificios y calles, única, gracias a las reformas del Barón Haussmann, por encargo de Napoleón III, durante el siglo XIX.

Las gentes de París son muy amables, eso sí, es preciso dirigirse a ellos como “Monsieur” o “Madame” antes de pedir alguna indicación. Simple cortesía

Foto: @TaylorMiles

Imprescindible en París

El río Sena, cruza la ciudad por el centro, aportando ese toque romántico y sereno tan especial. Alrededor del río encontramos todo tipo de monumentos y museos y cientos de buenos locales y restaurantes donde comer o tomar algo disfrutando de unas espléndidas vistas. Eso sí, según el local, nos pueden cobrar 5€ por un refresco.

Es muy recomendable visitar toda la zona centro del Sena, puesto que se puede hacer un recorrido circular donde podemos visitar lugares como Notre Damme, Centro Pompidou, Museo del Louvre, Champs Elisées, Arco del Triunfo, Ópera, Galerías Lafayette, Torre Eiffel, Invalides (Tumba de Napoleón), Museo Rodin, Museo de Orsay, etc.

Foto: @Panoramas

Un paseo por el barrio de Sant Germain y el Barrio Latino son también imprescindibles. Encontraremos calles llenas de vida, restaurantes, paradas de comida y pubs, nacionales e internacionales, todo ello muy bien cuidado y la mayoría con terraza.

Tampoco nos podemos perder el barrio de Montmatre, o barrio de los artistas, donde podemos visitar el Sacre Coeur, la plaza de los artistas o el museo Dalí, con muy buenas vistas de la ciudad y por supuesto, ¡el famoso Moulin Rouge!

Foto: @kcm76

En cuanto a vistas panorámicas de la ciudad, recomiendo 3: Sacre Coeur, Torre Eiffel y la altísima Torre de Montparnasse. Paris, c’est magnifique!

O Palácio de Versailles

Versailles é passeio obrigatório para quem visita Paris.  A cidade vizinha fica a uns 40 minutos de RER da Cidade Luz e seu palácio – certamente entre os mais famosos do mundo – é estonteante.  Sem entrar, o visitante já tem noção do que o aguarda: o palácio é gigantesco (veja na foto o tamaninho das pessoas em comparação ao prédio).  Para quem está acostumado com a Quinta da Boa Vista ou com o Palácio Imperial de Petrópolis, a surpresa será muito grande.

Os jardins do Palácio de Versailles

Para quem nunca visitou Versailles, como era o caso da Fiona, eu recomendo comprar o ticket completo, que dá direito a visitar todas as dependências do palácio, os jardins (na foto), os trianons e o parque de Maria Antonieta.  Foi o que fiz.  Mas aviso: o bilhete é caro (nos dias de semana é mais barato que nos fins de semana), vale por um dia, e algumas das visitas nem valem a pena, como é o caso do parque de Maria Antonieta (longe do palácio e uma porcaria).  A principal dica, porém, é a mesma de sempre: chegue cedo!  A fila, antes do palácio abrir, já é grande; quando eu saí, já na hora do almoço, era maior ainda.  E o pior: no sol!

Teatro de Maria Antonieta

Desta vez, consegui visitar áreas do palácio que eu não conhecia, como os aposentos do rei, os aposentos dos infantes e o tal parque de Maria Antonieta.  O primeiro é fantástico; o segundo é interessante; o terceiro, como eu disse antes, é uma porcaria (um bando de mato, um prédio caindo aos pedaços e um teatro bonitinho mas muito simplório (foto) - a única conclusão que eu tirei daquele canto dos jardins do palácio é que ali deviam rolar orgias sem fim).  O Petit Trianon estava fechado para obras de reforma.  Em todos os casos, as explicações em placas, quando existentes, são simplórias: desconfio que seja uma forma de tentar empurrar o audioguide para os visitantes.

Para entrar no jardim, é necessário apresentar o bilhete, mas só nas entradas principais.  Há entradas do jardim que não estão guarnecidas por seguranças, o que torna possível visitar o jardim sem o pagamento próprio.  Mas eu acho que só um brasileiro pensaria nessa artimanha.  Em todo caso, fica a dica.

Salão principal do Palais Garnier

De volta a Paris, dei uma passadinha no Palais Garnier (comumente conhecido como o Ópera de Paris, onde “se esconde” o Fantasma da Ópera): era a última oportunidade que tinha para visitá-lo.  Nas duas vezes anteriores em que tentei fazer a visita, a sala de concerto estava fechada para a realização de ensaios.  E, infelizmente, dessa vez não foi diferente.  Mas valeu a pena, ao menos, para a Fiona conhecê-lo.  O palácio é estonteante, embora o seu museu seja fraquinho…  Não é, definitivamente, um prédio para se ver apenas do lado de fora.

Basílica du Sacre Coeur

Depois disso, era hora de visitar a basílica de Sacre-Cœur, que fica na única colina de Paris, no bairro boêmio de Montmatre.  Como a igreja pertence a uma irmandade ainda ativa, seus ofícios continuam ininterruptos, pouco se importando com a multidão de turistas que a visitam todos os dias.  Por isso, é necessário manter silêncio e portar roupas comportadas durante a visita.  Por isso, também, não é possível tirar fotos no seu interior.  A visita é gratuita.

A igreja não é bonita nem imponente como as demais igrejas históricas da Europa.  Chega a ser um pouco frustrante, perto da expectativa que ela cria no turista.  Mas é bonita.  O domo impressiona pelo tamanho.  E as pinturas são diferentes, se aproximando do estilo bizantino.

O artista e a gringa

Do lado de fora, uma multidão de gente fica apinhada nas escadarias em frente à igreja.  É gente que fica observando a paisagem parisiense, gente que está apenas transitando, gente que está esperando uma oportunidade para bater a carteira alheia, gente que está se apresentando por um trocado qualquer, gente que está tirando foto para levar de recordação…  Enfim: ali fora é uma babel!

Contornando a igreja à esquerda (de quem está de frente para ela), pela Rue du Cardinal Guilbert, o centro do bairro parece fervilhar.  A pracinha que existe poucos metros adiante, chamada Place du Terte, é bonita por si só.  Há restaurantes para todos os gostos, no melhor estilo parisiense – com mesas na calçada.  Há também um monte de artistas de rua, pintando caricaturas ou fotos lindas de pessoas que posam para eles (mediante generosa remuneração).  Quem quer uma recordação, ali é uma ótima pedida.  Basta escolher um artistas segundo o seu gosto, pelas amostras de retratos/caricaturas que ele expõe.  Quanto mais tarde, mais difícil se torna encontrar um artista disponível.

Casa em Montmatre

Ali, também, descendo a rua depois da pracinha, comi outro religieuse, ainda melhor que o primeiro que eu havia comido nas proximidades da Bastilha.  Depois disso, me perdi – de propósito, pelas ruas do bairro, sempre descendo em direção à Boulevard de Clichy.  Ao chegar nela, andei pelo seu canteiro central até o Moulin Rouge.  Bati uma foto na frente do ponto turístico e entrei no metrô, de volta para o hotel.  O cansaço do passeio a Versailles, no início do dia, por aqueles corredores enormes e pelos jardins que não têm fim, estava se mostrando preponderante nesse momento.  Minhas pernas já não eram mais as mesmas.

Anoitecer no Louvre

Com banho tomado e corpo descansado, era o dia de ver o anoitecer no Louvre, uma das minhas cenas preferidas em Paris.  Eu, a Fiona, o Dan Stubach e a sua respectiva (é óbvio que ele não me reconheceu, porque eu estava disfarçado de turista).  Só para variar, valeu a pena.  E muito!  Rendeu fotos ótimas e coroou o fim de mais um dia excepcional de viagem.

1. Fireworks at the sacre coeur while the crowd sang edith  piaf.
2. Beautiful ladies on cycles serenely wafting through the traffic.
3. Montmatre.
4. a kiss beneath the Eiffel Tower.
5. Reading in the Jardin du Luxemborg.
6. Incredible Sculpture just lying around the place.
7. Friendly Parisians (really!)
8. Just walking and taking it in.
9. Weird musicians on the Metro
10. Musee d’orsay. yes all of it! Though particularly Cezanne, Lautrec and the Nabis

]]> http://willowbnero.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/paris-je-t/ Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:48:49 +0000 wbnero http://willowbnero.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/paris-je-t/ http://havemoneywilltravel.wordpress.com/2008/09/27/montmatre-and-sacre-coeur/ Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:30:23 +0000 havemoneywilltravel http://havemoneywilltravel.wordpress.com/2008/09/27/montmatre-and-sacre-coeur/

Montmatre was known as the artist’s district in Paris and there is a famous church called Basilique of Sacre Coeur. Once you exit the Metro, you will start a long trek uphill towards Montmatre and there basilique is unmistakable.

There was a huge amount of people there since it was a Saturday afternoon, but the view from the top was pretty much worth it.

Behind the Sacre Coeur, there was the artist’s alley known as Montmatre, where artists peddle their wares and crepes were being sold.

Even the dog seems to be looking for artwork here. :3

I had my portrait done. :3 Montmatre style..The sitting for 30 mins was awful, but I think he was pretty realistic, showing my fats and all!

By the time I left Montmatre, the sun was starting to set and it gave a beautiful overview of Paris.

Vu l’heure, je m’adresse à tous les privés de concert Anuncio ce soir. Pas à ceux qui se sont trouvé une excuse bidon pour ne pas être à Montmartre dès 19h : si c’est ton cas, tu devrais avoir honte parce que tu vas rater un bon moment. Mais il est encore temps d’y aller, alors file ! Ouste !

Bon. Alors, toi qui es encore là, je suppose que tu es comme moi : tu as une vraie bonne raison. Par exemple : tu bosses. Ou tu as un empêchement sérieux. Ou tu n’es pas à Paris. Ou un peu de tout ça. C’est moche…

Pour rattraper cette perte, je vais te faire un petit cadeau. Tu sais que P.U.S.H. joue ce soir. Et peut-être que tu ne connais pas ce groupe, et peut-être que tu aurais bien aimé découvrir, parce que c’est pas mal du tout. Pour toi, voici un petit bout de P.U.S.H. dans ton pécé :

Merci qui ?!

Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmatre, 02
Fotografia de Ferran M.

Per pujar a la basílica de Sacré-Coeur des del boulevard de Rochechouart hom pot optar per diversos carrers; curiosament, però, tots són buits excepte un, el carrer d’Steinkerque, que comença a l’alçada de la parada de metro i desemboca a les escales que porten a la basílica. Tant se val que anem per un carrer o altre dels que hi ha al costat, perquè hi arribarem igualment… és igual, perquè tots agafem el carrer més atapeït, el més ple de botigues de souvenirs, el carrer on carteristes i altres timadors intenten fer el seu agost particular (o pensàveu que el joc de les boletes que omple les Rambles de Barcelona era únic?). I és quan tornes de la visita de rigor i decideixes no tornar a passar per aquell carrer intransitable que t’adones que el més bonic no estava en aquell camí…

O tots portem la mateixa guia o el turista tendeix al gregarisme més del que hi tendeix l’espècie humana en general…