Woof woof!

Heading off, for a little break before a charged week (well, half-week), to Mon Chien Stupide to meet Alain H. and then to hear Isabelle Fénech sing (Léon Gaboriau on accordion and Renato Velasco on guitar).

Afterwards a Bolivian dinner (with Alain - joined by Cordelia) and run into Carlos & Co. , at the "usual place".

Hail to the Haggis!

Although I purchased some (cocktail-sized) haggis is Edinburgh last Thursday (for Burns Night) we are just getting into it tonight. Benjamin is coming over and we're going to see how many of the five recommended cooking methods we'll try. Stay tuned for news!

The Dark Stuff ...

A bit of a mid-morning walkabout from Grafton Street to the Temple Bar area on a cold, but very bright, Dublin Sunday.

After a late breakfast at The Metro Café, and an early bruch (of bangers and mash) at the Shack restaurant I'm finally off for my (much anticipated) pilgramage to the Guinness Storehouse.

Pacte écologique

We're going to listen to Nicolas Hulot, who's at INSEAD as part of the 2007 series of public conferences, who'll speak, naturally, about the environment and his foundation's proposed actions.

UPDATE: Over 2,000 people showed up (almost twice as many as expected) and we were unable to get seats - thankfully INSEAD offered to send a DVD of the conference to anyone who wasn't able to get a seat so I'll post later regarding this conference (and if anyone wants to borrow the DVD afterwards just leave a message here).

Folies végétales

Patrick Blanc, a researcher at the CNRS and passionate about exotic vegetation, has an interesting expo at la Fondation EDF until early March. We're off to see it today with Fancehtte & Denis.

Reyes Magos

Happy Three Kings Day to you all - may this year bring you ever more sharing, peace and love - follow your star!

I may not be able to reach each and every one of you personally this day, but know that you are truly in my thoughts and in my heart. Have a wonderful year 2007 and, as always, feel free to leave comments here - your words enrich my life.

(Click on the link in the title above to read more about the traditional celebration of Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico.)

Montigny-bound

Heading down to our "winter quarters" for some days (we'll doubtlessly be shuttling between Paris and Montigny).

I'll hopefully do some updates and devise a new "process" for blogging in 2007. Your comments are, as always, welcome!

View of Montigny-sur-Loing, oil on canvas by Jacob Maris, 1870; in the Haags Gemeentemuseum, Netherlands.

Follow along ... or catch up with us!

Sunday relaxathon in and about Paris (ALL Right Bank!) - feel free to catch up with us:

1. Baron Rouge for oysters (and that after the massive quantities at Benj's last night)
2. Hôpital Saint-Antoine to say "hallo" to Alison
3. Bolivan restaurant , Candela Calienta, to listen to Carlos and his group
4. Sushi dinner at Anne Baudart's

Numbers 1 & 3 are open to you, kind Readers. If you're in Paris then come on by!

And here's the map.

"Un Tramway Nommé Désir" - Streetcars Make a Comeback in Paris ...

The last Paris tram ground to a halt 60 years ago. Now a new tram line is being introduced with lots of fanfare ... and we're going at 2pm today to join in the public inauguration with a free ride along the new route. See you there?

The new Bélière

Recently reopened, after a two-year hiatus, this neighborhood landmark has been totally refurbished in a much more "branché" style, but still retains its owner, Colette, and good feeling (and live music). An enormous improvement is the food (see my "What We're Eating" blog) which is an excellent value and nicely presented.

Aline, Celestine, Mariusz and I wrapped at midnight ... but (naturally) Odile & Denis stayed until 3am!

Les temps des cerises

The "Commie" resto tonight with Aline, her friend Celestine (in from Galway), Denis and Claudine & Franck (both up from Toulouse) and Frankie's sister, Florence. Very nice time getting caught up with everyone.

Happy Birthday lil bro' !

Today is the birthday my brother, René, and he catches up with me (56y/o) for two months ... then the counter turns over for me, too.

So, I thought I'd point out to him (and you all) that it is also the birthday of singer, dancer, and actor Sammy Davis, Jr who was born this day in 1925 and was a member of the legendary “Rat Pack” with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. So, Réné ... in your honor I've decided to create a club dedicated to YOU ... and we'll call it the "RAP Pack" ... your T-shirt will arrive soon (and you others can order from ... me. How's that for viral marketing?).

Anyway, Odile and I (plus Fanchette, Benjamin, Sylvie, Jean-Marie, Alison... and others you met when last you came to Paris) all wish you a très bon anniversaire !

Nuestro Tío Mágico

I just received (from both my brother and cousin) a copy of a recent article entitled "La aventura de ser Toño González" about the life of my very dear and "magic" uncle, Toño - besides my parents one of the people I most love and who has, perhaps unwittingly, taught me so much. I'll try to get the article posted somewhere soon - for now, dear Readers, if you want a pdf copy just post here or e-mail me and I'll gladly send it along.

JMB's

A fuzzy photo of a nice dinner at Jean-Marie's (back to the camera - uncorking the n-th bottle of wine) with our friends from Caen: Aggie & Michel, their daughter, Melanie, and her boyfriend.

I'm planning, late this afternoon, to stop by the Salons des Vignerons Indépendants.

The oldest market in Paris ...

PLANNED:

We're off to Le Marché des Enfants Rouge in the Marais area of town. This market was created in 1615 and I've been wanting to go back to spend a bit more time (and have lunch at one of their charming restaurants).

Afterwards a visit to the Valérie Jouve photography expo at galerie Xiappas (map here) nearby (with Hélios and Mariano).

Capharnaüm

After lunch with Benjamin and Odile at Os Minhotos (Portuguese hole-in-the-wall restaurant) we came across an interesting photo expo on the way home at the Atelier Florence Berger.

Dinner tonight (chez Fernand) with the Schillers - in Paris from Cambridge/London for a long weekend in the City of Lights.

¡Viva España!

Almost directly after work we headed up for an apéro at Hélios' ... where a friend from Barcelona, Mariano, an excellent photographer, is staying and visiting Paris for a few days.

Denis joined us and after some excellent jamón ibérico (gracias to Mariano's brother!) we walked over to the nearby (just down the stairs from Sacré Coeur) couscous/tajine resto called Le Petit Bleu (I recommend it to you all - here's a map). The lamb tajine (not to mention the Tajine Saint Jacques) was succulent ... and copious!

My most recent project calendar:

Que la Fête du Beaujolais commence !

Once again it's the third Thursday of November and it's .... le Beaujolais Nouveau (see the full story by clicking on the title above!)

We went to la Comedia with Alain (and were later joined by Florence) to try this year's cru.

We also greatly enjoyed listening to two young guitarists that Jean (the owner of the bistro) had though to enagge to play tonight. (You can see a short clip of this duo, called Les Deux Font L'Impair, by clicking here.)