Author Archives: andyq

Restaurant Review: L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Etoile

Posted on 25 December 2014 by andyq

Our special culinary treat for this Parisian adventure was Christmas lunch at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Etoile, a two-star Michelin restaurant at the top of the Champs-Elysées, a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe. Christmas is a good time to … Continue reading →

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Choux Smackdown in Paris!

Posted on 23 November 2014 by andyq

Strolling along rue Montorgueil just north of Les Halles, a very ornate shop front caught our attention. Stohrer is apparently the oldest pâtisserie in Paris, dating back to 1730. They served royalty, and there was a photo of Queen Elizabeth … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Michel Houllebecq’s The Elementary Particles

Posted on 10 November 2014 by andyq

The Elementary Particles by Michel Houellebecq My rating: 2 of 5 stars When in France… Well, I’d heard about Houellebecq for years but never picked up anything until ‘The Elementary Particles’, much celebrated and much discussed, though I stayed away … Continue reading →

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Restaurant Review: Le Caviste Bio

Posted on 9 November 2014 by andyq

A meal in an organic wine store: why not? Le Caviste Bio 50, rue de Maubeuge 75009 Paris +33 148783003 We could have guessed, by thinking about the name of the restaurant a little harder, that a restaurant wouldn’t naturally … Continue reading →

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Restaurant Review: Au Cul de Poule, Reims

Posted on 9 November 2014 by andyq

An interesting contemporary take on the French bistro with great service and champagne. A mini-break in the Champagne region. Hotels were booked up in Eparnay so here we are in Reims. A quick survey of Tripadvisor a few days in … Continue reading →

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Restaurant Review, Le Felteu, Paris

Posted on 2 November 2014 by andyq

Le Felteu is a tiny bistro, hidden away on 15 Rue Pecquay in the 4th arrondissement in the Beaubourg neighbourhood. We had a lovely mid-week meal there, as memorable for the host’s big, friendly energy, as for the food. It … Continue reading →

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Restaurant Review: Dessance, Paris

Posted on 26 October 2014 by andyq

Dessance was a truly interesting and memorable meal: while saying they focus on the sweet part of the flavour spectrum, all the dishes emphasized flavour, and we loved the savoury dishes as well.  Ah, welcome to Paris to us. For … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Roddy Doyle’s Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha

Posted on 24 October 2014 by andyq

Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle My rating: 2 of 5 stars Sigh. The last time I was suckered into reading a Booker Prize winner and disliked it was Ben Okri’s Famished Road. When I was in university, … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Sarah Turnbull’s Almost French: A New Life In Paris (Memoir)

Posted on 19 October 2014 by andyq

Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull My rating: 3 of 5 stars Written in a breezy journalist’s style and with the brief to write about culture shock in Paris, this book was interesting and … Continue reading →

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Restaurant Review: Cafe Trama

Posted on 8 October 2014 by andyq

It’s raining in Paris, heavily in comparison to earlier on today when it was sprinkling with rain, kind of moist all over. But it’s not torrential like in some cities, and oh, this city glows, the streetlights and shoplights and … Continue reading →

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