In recent years , we have taken Uber to airport, and for convenience, taken taxis to the airport. But thanks to Uber, the taxis have adopted a new flat rate to and fro airports. This new flat rate rivals Uber. Its a " if you can't fight them, lets join them" , which benefits travelers.
No need to call er, just wait at taxi stand at airport or in-town, and they will give you this news flat rate. Half the old taxi rate !!
Friday, September 8, 2017
Thursday, September 15, 2016
An appetizer of tomatoes with boiled egg and mayonnaise.
A main course of smoked beef with a gratin of zucchini with new potatoes & béchamel sauce
Organic applesauce and a crêpe with organic compote
Or
Potato salad with diced Emmenthal in vinaigrette
Filet of fresh fish from sustainable sources, tomatoes and olives
Organic fruit in season. A slab of chocolate marble cake.
This sounds like a healthy menu selection from Paris’s Le So, Boco or La Table Verte, but in truth it’s what the elementary school children in the 11th arrondissement are eating for lunch this week.
Other delicious primary school repasts students are dining on throughout Paris this week are items so tempting and healthy they sound like they come from a spa or bio-friendly bistro. In the 5th arrondissement, children are eating salade Arlequin, pork sausage and cream of carrot soup; sole meunière, beets in a mustard vinaigrette or chicken Cordon Bleu– all accompanied by samples of gouda, gruyere and camembert. In and around Belleville they’re having cheese crêpes, lasagna bolognaise and Liègeoise à la vanille – aka pudding – but it sounds so much nicer in French; plus filet of hake in sauce Nantua. In Passy, les élèves are putting away watermelon, grilled turkey cutlets, cauliflower gratin, orange-rinded mimolette and a flan for desert. These budding gourmands are enjoying cheese I’m still not comfortable with.
The French government considers it their duty to provide a daily freshly-prepared meal for over 6 million French children in their public school system. School canteens are required to provide school-age children with: a starter of vegetables, salad or soup; a warm main course high in protein whether it be meat, fish or eggs; a side dish of vegetables or grains; a cheese course or dairy product; plus raw or cooked fruit balanced with a dessert and an afternoon snack.
A national ban on vending machines in all French schools aids in stopping the students from developing a taste for junk food. Typical kids’ food, i.e. chicken nuggets, peanut butter and jam sandwiches or burgers and fries, are unheard of. Students simply eat child-sized portions of adult food. There’s only one daily choice on the menu and until they are finished primary school at age 12, students must eat up or else go home for lunch. “Brown-bagging-it” is discouraged. An added plus: often the ingredients for the meals are organic.
There’s bread on the table and each meal is accompanied with water. Fried food is only served a few times per month, according to Ministry of Education regulations, and ketchup offered only once a week. School lunches must consist of forty percent of the children’s daily nutritional requirements. The nutritional standards regulate how frequently dishes are served in a 20-meal cycle; for example, at least 10 meals in the cycle must be accompanied by cooked vegetables, 10 meals must be accompanied with legumes or grains, and 8 meals out of 20 must have a fresh fruit dessert.
The midday meal is served in a restaurant scolaire, or school restaurant, where food isn’t scooped from huge vats or steam trays. Food is served to children at the table, by helpful lunch ladies who will even assist in cutting the meat of the little ones who are still unable. Vegetables are served first because hungry kids will eat their veggies when presented with them. Here there is no hiding your sprouts under your napkin. Lunch is between noon and two. The French Ministry of National Education sets a minimum time requirement of 30 minutes for children to sit at the table in order to allow them eat their food sufficiently slowly and properly. The remaining time is for play or relaxation.
What about freedom of choice? The French have decided that teaching healthy eating routines to children is a priority. The simple act of lunch incorporates tacit lessons on taste, nutrition, manners and culinary heritage. At a garderie on the rue Mouffetard, nursery-aged children enjoy a Spanish menu every Friday with a bowl of gazpacho followed by fish paella. It’s all about raising children to be at home in the world.
What about equality? French égalité is alive and well in the restaurant scolaire. The school lunch program is not only high quality, it’s democratic and benefits everybody. It’s not just the culinary training ground of the entitled few. The meals themselves cost between 13 centimes and 7 euros, depending on the family’s income. The cost of the meal is subsidized so it is equally available to all children, including those whose parent can not pay. It’s a fine example of socialism at work.
In 1867 Victor Duray, then Minister of Public Instruction, requested school officials give special attention to the nutrition of children. So began France’s school lunch program. Paris began school canteens in 1877 providing meals at the public expense to children whose parents’ names were on the Poor Board list.[i] Two years later a school lunch program was set up in every arrondissement. Participation was open to all children and their anonymity was fully protected.
As early as 1909, Americans were looking toward the French canteen system for inspiration. Caroline L. Hunt put forth in a bulletin of the United States Bureau of Education that “it seems to be universally conceded that Paris has the best system for feeding the school children that has been worked out by any municipality,” and Paris had much to teach other cities.[ii]
Today each Paris arrondissement sets its own meal guidelines for the schools within its boundaries as long as the national requirements are followed. Menus are readily available for parents online. The mairie of the 7th arrondissement goes as far as suggesting evening recipe ideas, for instance: tartar of tuna and tomato; cake Marin – a quick loaf with shrimps and olives; a clafoutis of zucchini and chèvre.
Good food deserves respect. French school meal programs teach children to be mindful about food from an early age. Later in life these children can make informed and mature choices about nutrition because of their early exposure to diverse tastes and healthy choices. Food education is really up to every parent too; mindfulness about food at school or at home is beneficial to everyone.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
BISTROS 2022
Time to revise our list of favorite bistros: Ones in red are on our must list.
CHEZ JANOU 2 RUE ROGER VERLOMME 75003 01.42.72.28.41 OPEN DAILY, including Sundays. metro: 8 Chemin Vert. Busy, busy place with a varied menu, market driven. great value and good food makes this bistro a winner. Many times you are sitting closed to our neighbors, that it is impossible not to start charring We have met some wonder people there. They have a outdoor patio which is fun in really nice weather.
Le BUISSON ARDENT 01.43.54.93.02 Open Monday thru Saturday. 25 Rue Jussieu, 75005 New Owners. 2022. No longer a bistro, as we know it. It is now about drinking spot for generation X mixed drinks and loud music, with some snacks.
AXURIA 54 Ave Felix Faure, 75016 01.45.54.13.91 €36 open SUNDAY> Chef Oliver Amestoy has taken over this spot form another of our favorites, La Chaumiere, now defunct. He has remade this into a very good contemporary French place, with authentic French food. Try the excellent fish soup or the grilled shrimp on a bed of quinoa. or my favorite, seared foie gras with artichokes, last visit he had a special of spicy fish sausage into a broth. Incredible! His main plats are great steaks, swordfish in citrus sauce or stuffed sea bass with Swiss chard. Dolt miss his Gtrand Marnier soufflé.
Les SAISONS. 52 Rue Lamartine, 75009 01.48.78.15.18 www.restaurant-les-saisons.com closed Sunday and Monday Metro 12: Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, change at Madeline from the 8
We love this little place, we usually go twice a vacation. It was on the fork.com once, but even without, at €34 it is the place to go. This is in the "new" area of Pigalle, which is fast becoming the new trend area. Chef Jonathan Lutz, from Alsace has made this beautiful bistro his new home. What to order? Everything and anything on the menu. The chalk board changes regularly. Talk to his lovely Japanese wife for suggestions. When we were there, she suggested that we dine upstairs as a large group was coming in, and she was concerned that they would be rather vocal and disturb our meal. Don't forget to have his chocolate cake from his grandma's recipe. Rich, moist, not too heavy or his excellent apply tart.
Le CASSE NOIX 56 Rue de la Federation. 01.45.66.09.01 €34 open Monday thru Friday. Owner/chef Pierre-Olovier Lenormand has found his niche. The menu has 4-5 choices per course, and there are an additional 3-5 special, market based, on the chalk board. The regular menu had coquille St Jacques, 5 of them, which is quite generous. I had the canard, € extra but worth it. Joan stated with saumon sable - a round of crust, then goat cheese, then salmon fume
La CAGOUILLE 10 place Contantin Brancusi, metro: Gaite 14th 01.43.22.09.01 We were put on to this fish house by a few Parisians. Nothing too fancy, just the best and freshest fish ever. Ample portions. The smoked haddock salad starter [entree] is incredible. Great oysters from David Hervé. Open daily. They serve warm cockles as an amuse bouche, which are to die for. A fine shady terrace in the warm months. Their oysters are the best in Paris. dozen and a half of oysters, then mussel apps, with a small delicious side salad., half bottle of Sancerre.. They also have a large selection of half size bottles of wine. A perfect welcome meal to Paris. web : la-cagouillle.fr
L'AVANT GOUT 13th 26 rue Bobillot Metro: place d Italie 01.53.80.24.00 closed sat, Sunday, Monday. metro: Place-d'Italie New owner 2022. Not the same, trouble with getting wait staff and it shows. But nice food, slimmed-down menu.
Le GRAND PAN , 15th 20 rue Rosenwald 01.42.50.02.50 closed saturday and sunday metro: Plaisance Chef Benoit Gauthier [from le Troquet and Guy Savoy] and Arnold, a great host. Wonderful bistro food, our only problem was that most dishes were for 2. But if you ask nicely, they will usually accommodate serving just one. They are known for cote de bouuf, wonderful seafood, , , wines by the glass or carafe. He lists the pedigree of the meats on a chalk board on the wall. We now usually go there twice a trip.
The last time we were there, they could not find our reservation, but he did remember us, so he suggested that he would set the four of us up at the bar, which sounded like fun. As we sat down, a gentleman and his wife, who were sitting at a four top near by, had just finished there main courses, suggested to Arnold that they could finish up at the bar, and that we could take his table. [The french are so unfriendly]. We sat down, and I sent over to our "friends" an after dinner cordial. When they came over to thank us for it, and we proceeded to have a very cordial conversation.
For a Special, special dinner: APICIUS 20 ave d'Artois, 8th, 01.43.80.19.66 Ask for a table in main room. This 2 star restaurant, just a few blocks from Etoile, is in a spectacular space. The mansion is a Rothchild home that Chef jean-Pierre Vigato has made into an over-the-top dining experience. Figure to spend $400-500/ couple easily. The menu is about 160 €, plus wine. Ask the sommelier for suggestions. He will find a little know wine, with a little price to go with your meal. I love the lamb [french lamb is nothing like what is available in the US] and his dessert of 4 chocolate delights, is , well, delightful !
March 2022 new owner, new chef. We haven't tried it recently, but it gets good reviews.
Some notes: All these bistros require reservations of 5-7 days in advance, and I suggest that you confirm on the day, too. Dress code is Paris is casual, even clean, pressed jeans. No ties or jackets required, except in Apicius it would be nice to wear a jacket for men. Today, most bistros have a web site for their menu, [english and french] check them out before going.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
TRAVEL TIP
Here's an interesting travel tip:
If you leave your valuables [passports, jewelry, money] in your hotel safe, leave one of your shoes with it in the safe. When you pack up, a missing shoe will remind you that you have your valuables in the safe.
Also, xerox your credit cards and passports. I leave some of my credit cards in safe, and carry the others with me for purchases. We also carry the photo of the passport with us if we need it for detaxe purchases.
If you leave your valuables [passports, jewelry, money] in your hotel safe, leave one of your shoes with it in the safe. When you pack up, a missing shoe will remind you that you have your valuables in the safe.
Also, xerox your credit cards and passports. I leave some of my credit cards in safe, and carry the others with me for purchases. We also carry the photo of the passport with us if we need it for detaxe purchases.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
MEDICAL CARE
Emergency medical care is just a phone call away
For house calls, yes they do that in France, call SOS MEDECIN. Phone number is 3624. You'll have a doctor within one hour who is quite competent , can do a host of test via teststrips.
Emergency room: American Hospital, which is quite modern and efficient. No waiting for care. All taxis [a taxi number is 3609] know where it is.
SOS MEDECIN was about 75 euros. The emergency room, including tests, xrays cost about 500 euros. Medicare does cover these costs if you have G or F coverage in your supplement. They pay 80% after $250 deductible. You will need the bills from SOS Medecin, emergency room, lab results, copy of your flight ticket or boarding pass. Then just mail them in to your carrier. Ours, Mutual of Omaha took 10 days to refund us our money.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
LA FOURCHETTE.com or the fork.com
We recently discovered La Fourchette.com , in english, thefork.com This is an amazing site that your can read in english. Just clip on the US button. Or enter thefork.com
Discover restaurants, benefit from a special offer of up to 50% discount on dinner, book for free [even just minutes ahead], and your table is waiting for you. No coupons, there are a few restrictions, such as you must order the menu, or , order a la carte, or wine is not covered, but at 40-50% off, this is amazing. It is NOT one of those too good to be true, it is true. We found out about it late in our trip, but we did manage to use it 3 our of the last 4 nights, saving ourselves over 100 euros. No embarrassing moments.
When you get your bill, they know that you are on la fourcette, and they will take off the discount on the bottom.
Why didn't we know about this sooner? It is a win-win situation. They have listings of thousands of restaurants in almost every city in France, Spain, Monaco, Switzerland.
Discover restaurants, benefit from a special offer of up to 50% discount on dinner, book for free [even just minutes ahead], and your table is waiting for you. No coupons, there are a few restrictions, such as you must order the menu, or , order a la carte, or wine is not covered, but at 40-50% off, this is amazing. It is NOT one of those too good to be true, it is true. We found out about it late in our trip, but we did manage to use it 3 our of the last 4 nights, saving ourselves over 100 euros. No embarrassing moments.
When you get your bill, they know that you are on la fourcette, and they will take off the discount on the bottom.
Why didn't we know about this sooner? It is a win-win situation. They have listings of thousands of restaurants in almost every city in France, Spain, Monaco, Switzerland.
Friday, May 24, 2013
PICKPOCKETS:
Bad news travels fast, so the media is quick to pitch in on the horrors of pickpockets in Paris. But remember, it is rare that someone gets their pocket picked in Paris. This does not mean that you need to be less vigilant. You're on vacation, your guard is relaxed. The basic rules of protecting your valubles on vacation are similar to your "real " life.
Do not keep your wallet accessible, i.e., not in your back pocket, not in your open purse or backpack.
Don't travel within Paris or France with your passport, where a color photostat will do for shopping.
Only have on hand the necessary cash you might need for the day, and only have one or two credit cards with you. Leave the balance of your cash and credit cards in the hotel or room safe. You are a tourist, and you will be in places frequented by tourists, so that is where pickpockets congrgate.
It is hard to NOT look like a tourist, what with cameras, maps, guide books, and white sneakers. [Nothing stands out as white sneakers on tourist's feet]
Don't keep your cell phone, wallet, camera on the table at sidewalk cafes, or in your outstretched hand, or even while strolling along.
France has expelled the many gypsies who were responsible for some of these activities. One of their favorite scams was the bend down as you walked by, "finding" a "solid gold" wedding band. They will tell you that you can have free, but if you take it, they will hound you for a "gratuity." Brass is brass, these are not gold.
Be vigilant, not scared, and enjoy your vacation.
Bad news travels fast, so the media is quick to pitch in on the horrors of pickpockets in Paris. But remember, it is rare that someone gets their pocket picked in Paris. This does not mean that you need to be less vigilant. You're on vacation, your guard is relaxed. The basic rules of protecting your valubles on vacation are similar to your "real " life.
Do not keep your wallet accessible, i.e., not in your back pocket, not in your open purse or backpack.
Don't travel within Paris or France with your passport, where a color photostat will do for shopping.
Only have on hand the necessary cash you might need for the day, and only have one or two credit cards with you. Leave the balance of your cash and credit cards in the hotel or room safe. You are a tourist, and you will be in places frequented by tourists, so that is where pickpockets congrgate.
It is hard to NOT look like a tourist, what with cameras, maps, guide books, and white sneakers. [Nothing stands out as white sneakers on tourist's feet]
Don't keep your cell phone, wallet, camera on the table at sidewalk cafes, or in your outstretched hand, or even while strolling along.
France has expelled the many gypsies who were responsible for some of these activities. One of their favorite scams was the bend down as you walked by, "finding" a "solid gold" wedding band. They will tell you that you can have free, but if you take it, they will hound you for a "gratuity." Brass is brass, these are not gold.
Be vigilant, not scared, and enjoy your vacation.
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