It's Spring-time in Paris ( Well Almost!) and that for any foodie can only mean one thing!!!! - Lamb from the Massif Central

Now at one of my favorite Paris bistros, Allard, they are for a limited time serving organic Lamb from the Massif Central.

It's oven-baked with Le Puy green lentils cooked in au-jus.
At the bistro, you choose the piece of lamb you wish to eat; it will be presented to you before being carved in the kitchen.
If you ever wanted to taste natural terroir in the atmosphere of an old-fashioned Paris atmosphere, than this bistro is for you.

                        To quote Jerome Kern, I love old fashioned things................

'I'm old fashioned I love the moonlight I love the old fashioned things 

 The sound of rain Upon a window pane The starry song that April sings 

 This year's fancies Are passing fancies But sighing sighs holding hands These my heart understands

 I know I'm old fashioned But I don't mind it 

That's how I want to be As long as you agree To stay old fashioned with me'

We Offer super custom Sporting events packages - Events/best seats/hotels/private parties access and more....

French Open - May 22 - Jun 5

Monaco Grand Prix - May 26 - 29

Wimbledon - June 27 - July 10

British Open - July 15 - 22

Of course in the USA: The Masters, Indy 500, Daytona 500, Kentucky Derby, US Open and many more

Provence - an old hotel is new again!

At the top of this medieval provincial village in Castillon-du-Gard, located between Nîmes and Avignon, on the doorstep of les Alphilles, a stone’s throw from the famous Pont du Gard, the Vieux Castillon – 4-star hotel that I used to love, but fell on hard time, but hurrah! 

Now the owners of H8 collection ( a young, vibrant group of new hoteliers) , who now also owns some of my other favorite French hotels such as in the Domaine de le Hauts de Loire , le Mas de la Fouque in the Camargue and Hotel Mont Blanc at the foot of Mont Blanc, has reopened in June after spectacular renovations a brand new hotel and yet has kept what made this place so special. 

The hotel now boasts 33 contemporary style bedrooms and suites, sporting shades of white, beige and orange, while straight and sophisticated stone furniture brings an edge of modern elegance. We love its swimming pool, which is apparently suspended in mid-air, its garrigue, vines and wonderful view that can be admired from the terrace. Chef Christophe Ducros’ cheerful cuisine with provincial aromas will delight even the most blasé taste buds.

Cafe Constant - Near the Eiffel Tower - A lovely place to dine on the Left Bank

Small, affordable and atmospheric, this bistro is owned by Michelin-starred chef Christian Constant and just 10 minutes’ walk east of the Eiffel Tower. 
It has a zinc-topped bar, tiny tables squeezed close together, a lively fun atmosphere, friendly waiters, and a mix of locals and tourists. Prices are reasonable – €16 for a main dish such as beef stew or chicken – and everything is home-cooked. 
Among the desserts are enormous ice-cream-filled profiteroles, generously poured with chocolate sauce – sensational! • 39 rue Saint-Dominique, +33 1 47 53 7334, maisonconstant.com/cafe-constant

Horror of horrors - Is this the end of French civilization?

It's a taboo subject for many French bakers, but an increasing number of local bakeries in France are selling croissants which are bought in frozen batches. In fact, some three quarters of croissants sold in France are mass produced in factories,

Club Med in France - NOW before you say anything......

Everyone loves the idea of the South of France in summer. But the reality? The crowds, the traffic, the high prices, the attitude? Not so much.

But at Club Med Opio in Provence--which reopened after a $40 million renovation--it's possible to avoid every one of those height-of-the-season hassles. Call it the kinder, gentler Cote d'Azur.
 Club Med Opio is a great base for exploring the famous hill towns of Grasse, St. Paul de Vence, Mougins and others. Cannes is down below at the seaside, just 16 kilometers away, with Nice and Monaco further up the coast.

The Club’s Excursion Desk organizes sightseeing trips and also works with guests to plan custom sorties. With three pools to choose from, there’s never a shortage of lounge chairs. With multiple bars and cafés, chilly drinks are always at hand.

The 435 rooms (which range from standard to balcony to suite) have cool stone floors, puffy white duvets and shiny red armories. Bathrooms are fitted with creamy stone sinks and showers big enough for two. A plasma TV picks up a few English channels and the A/C blows stronger than the legendary mistral. Club Med Opio offers tennis, golf, archery, trapeze, 4x4 treks, guided hikes, painting classes and other activities, either free or for a small fee. There’s a lovely spa, a well-equipped gym and a few exercise classes each day. A smart shop sells sparkly cover-ups, sunglasses and other resort essentials.

 At the legendary buffet, the chefs work to blend local Mediterranean specialties with “safer” international dishes, pleasing foodies and non-foodies alike. The choices are extensive, in fact, it would be hard to imagine even the pickiest eater going hungry. Local wines are placed on every table; beer, coffee, juice and soda you serve yourself. A second restaurant, at the golf course, offers table service and an à la carte menu.

 Club Med’s all-inclusive policy is a particular treat in summer when local restaurants are crowded and often very expensive. The savings can be substantial: in this part of France it’s common to pay 5€ for a café au lait and 60€ or 80€ per person for a mediocre bistro meal. The Club Med no-tipping policy is a convenience as well.

 If you’re thinking that a stay at Club Med Opio means giving up any of the pleasures of a French country vacation, that’s simply not the case. After a day of hiking, you can kick back on a deep terrace couch, Pastis in hand, and watched the sun set over the valley.

The scents of lavender, jasmine and pine perfumed the early evening breeze.