Sunday, January 27, 2008

Fernand's "engine"


Very often people send me emails asking me for advice on things to do in Paris or restaurants to eat at. I never know what to say really as there are so many things to experience while in Paris, it's hard to recommend anything in particular. But today I'll make an exception! I'm just out of a dinner party with friends at Fernand's, a restaurant located 13 rue Guisarde, in the 6th. The cuisine is really good, the service is friendly and very - too? - quick and, last but not least, the atmosphere is very very French. On the down side, it's really busy and noisy and there is absolutely no privacy as tables are literally attached to each other (which can also be nice if you want to talk to your neighbors!!).

38 comments:

  1. I looooooove this photo!!!! Again, love how your mind works.
    Very few people would think of this framing, this idea. You're not even really showing us the restaurant but this little glass window on the door allowing us to see the kitchen... just briliant.

    So, no dancing today huh?!

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  2. Ooops Lynn sorry... aujourd'hui je suis la premiere!

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  3. yeah, yeah, Monica ( yes, I am a sore loser). Maybe one day we should have a 3 way fight to the finish!

    My favorite restaurant is La Cigale Recamier on Rue Recamier. The speciality is souffle but they do everything. The souffles are market driven and I have had wonderful, creative inventive souffles there. I also love Chez Josephine Dumont on cherche midi. Traditional, expensive but worth every penny.

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  4. Eric: Just finished reading yesterday's posting. The pharmacy is across the street from Le Chien que Fume on Monparnasse. The side of the pharmacy building has faded lettering that says Veternarie---all this spelling is incorrect but you get the idea.I also may be off a block or two on Monparnasse.

    Do NOT have a picnic on the Seine without me this year! Please make plans on or before March 16 as that is when I have to make my airline schedule for the next month.
    If she makes it, you can watch Lynn and I finger fight in person!

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  5. tell me the most important what did you eat!!!!! I had a UK somerfield cheese ploughmans sandwich ;-(((( i am really jealous
    one of my favorite restaurant in paris is Italian: la chiaro di luna, rue de Jouy 4'- shouldn't talk of food after the film sweeney todd

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  6. Phx I have one thing to say to you: you've got to go the Seine picnic!!!!
    I won't be able to make it but I know that if you go, you'll tell me every sordid detail afterwards...

    Seriously you guys, try to schedule it in a way Phx can be there, she's the best and I'm sure the picnic will be even more fun if she's there.

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  7. Well Eric
    Let me buy you dinner there then!
    I often visit Paris and would love to take you out. ;)
    Beat that Lynn!
    xxx

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  8. I like this photo framing, too, and thanks for another recommendation to put in my book. I can't go to the picnic - so sad - but I am 90% sure I'll be in Paris end of October into November for my birthday.

    Thanks for the inquiries into le "date" Nothing too scandalous occurred :) My dear Eric, it is true that I do not know any hommes endowed with curly penises, but come on now, surely you can see what I saw ;)

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  9. Thx, Monica.

    Lynn, you have been challenged AGAIN!

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  10. LOL !! I've missed the fracas and well done Monica for making it first! I've been out tonight (see where, at my blog) and am back late.

    Curly penises Pont Girl, he he. Phx okay we'll finger fight on the Seine! I'm up for a three-way. No no no - a race to be first i mean. Gosh i could just feel Michael's reply to THAT one!

    Eric Monica's right, you always think of a new angle, it's just great. Looks really inviting, seeing the work going on behind the scenes.

    Anne, i don't think i CAN compete with that! Then again, i'm sure i can think of something...;)

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  11. Ze Kitchen Gallery
    4,rue des Grands Augustins,6ème.
    Hummmmmm...

    Nice shot. Keep the secret of the recipe!

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  13. Wonderful photo, Eric. I love the peek into the private and frenzied world of the kitchen. So well framed.

    Must go to bed early tonight. After I look at Cheltenham and find out why Lynn was late.

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  14. I don't know why exactly, but this photo reminds me of the film Ratatouille and of course, this famous PDP post. Hope you didn't see any of them last night.

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  15. Someone's in the kitchen with Eric,
    Someone's in the kitchen I know-o-o;
    Someone's in the kitchen with Eric,
    Posing for a nice Pho-to.

    They're singin'

    "Fee-fi-fiddly-i-o
    Fee-fi-fiddly-i-o-i-o
    Fee-fi-fiddly-i-o
    Posing for a nice Pho-to."

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  16. Nice song, Michael! lol

    Eric explain how the atmosphere is very very French please. I want to get the feel of it.

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  17. Eric et al - Tsonga was defeated by Serbian Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis final. Just thought you'd like to know that France came second which is pretty damned good at that level. Well done to both players.

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  18. Just a further note. Tsonga said he'll be back next year in his speech. Djokovic is the first Serbian to win an Australian Open. He is also the youngest player ever to win.

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  19. Thanks Mme. We saw the end here and of course it will be the talk of the office tomorrow. Any other bits I should know so I sound intelligent at the "water cooler" tomorrow?

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  20. Yes the bit you should know Michael is that you are needed over at Mme's.

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  21. Well Lynn, it's actually Chez Fernand and you can see by this picture that it probably doesn't get any more French than this.

    I agree with Eric that the cuisine is very good, but not sure I'd say that the service is friendly (thus, helping to answer your question). They actually do "seatings" there, three, which doesn't happen very often in France. You can usually stay as long as you want, but it's so popular I suppose they have a good accountant in the back of Fernand's engine also!

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  22. Bien entendu Lynn. I'll pop over to Adelaide staight away...but they have been so busy they haven't posted a new photo since 25 January! Don't tell Eric!

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  23. Ah yes i see thanks. I get the picture.

    This is true, Michael and you will see why lol.

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  24. Oh Michael you wanna keep people interested in the conversation at the water cooler? Easy! why don't you talk about your discoveries in the fashion departement when you were in China?
    I'm sure you'll have everyone's attention when you describe what you saw in that condom fashion show!

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  25. Michael - re the water cooler: Novak is very tall and his reach is incredible - very hard to get a passing shot down the line! He also never gave up and played every shot. Also a powerful serve at over 200km per hour. Holy smoke - if I saw a ball coming at me at that speed, I'd duck! As for Tsango - he put up a very brave fight but he kept hitting the ball back to Novak instead of playing it to the open part of the court. In most long rallies, Tsango seemed to lose the point. But you know all of that if you saw the ending!

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  26. My...my...my you guys have been silly here lately. It's January, so could this be a touch of "Cabin Fever"?? LOL!! Or does that hit in February??

    To the photo...interesting view there, and though I have never heard of the resto I know the Metro stop is Mabillon. Have you ever been to Le Petit Prince de Paris?? It's near the Sorbonne, lot's of students and profs and the food is wonderful. It is on a winding back street, very Parisian and great foie-gras!! My favorite!!

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  27. Oh tonton, you really missed it here! Is Le Petit Prince still open? I figured it was long gone by now. Have you been to Aux Trois Petits Cochons? If not, give it a try.

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  28. It sounds like a good place to eat Eric.
    I will make sure I eat there next time I drop by.

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  29. I should like to go to le Petit Prince, Tonton. Sounds stimulating.

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  30. Rose
    I take you meant "It sounds like a good place to eat COMMA Eric."
    Or maybe it was intentional and you are just more competition for me, Monica and Lynn!

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  31. Sorry Rose but I couldn't resist teasing you :)
    x

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  32. I think Rose is hiding at this point ladies. ;-)

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  33. I'm getting hungry reading these restaurant reviews. Thanks for yours, Tonton - I wrote it down; yours too, Michael.

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  34. "It sounds like a good place to eat Eric."


    ROTFL!!!

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  35. I think Eric will be dining there all this week now - just in case. ;)

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  36. Oh my I think Rose must be hiding too.

    Anne you did well though, it was clearly a lapse of mind from Rose, we must stay alert. There's too much competition here!

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