Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Desperatly looking for a star...


You know how food is important in France... It's so important that we even have an "official reference" for restaurants, called Le Guide Michelin (Michelin is a famous French tire manufacturer). This guide is published yearly and lists more than 3,500 restaurants to which the critics grant 0, 1, 2 or 3 stars. Needless to say that restaurants with 3 stars (only 26 throughout France) need not to worry about having customers! Now, every year also, some restaurants lose one of their stars. That is what happened to Le Véfour (better known as Le Grand Véfour) a very famous restaurant near Le Palais Royal. Still, I would not mind having dinner there!

169 comments:

  1. Wow..this is my favourite type of blog since I am so interested in eating out.
    They must have deserved losing that star!

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  2. second post...
    Eric, next time I go to Paris I will take you there

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  3. Wooo..do I have time for a third one?
    Have I mentioned before that I love black and white photos and Eric's in particular because they are so sharp and crisp?

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  4. Eric, I think I should be crowned PDP number 1 fan :)
    Nobody loves your blogs as much as I do :)

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  5. I wasn't expecting a new picture when I loaded the page. This was posted quite early today!
    It's a great picture, I love how you can see the age of the sign...

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  6. Ohmygosh, Rose, do you know what you got yourself into?? The Grand Vefour costs mucho dinero. Go Eric, Go!
    Did I read correctly somewhere that the restaurant stars are called Macarons?
    You're giving UKLynn a run for the money in this competition, Rose.

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  7. Does anyone know how they lost a star? Phx - why-oh-why did you have to bring up macarons?? Now my stomach will not stop grumbling! :)

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  8. A picture taken by night. Eric never sleeps for us guys. He roams, in order to catch THE picture which will keep us awake until the end of the night. Okay, until midnight only.
    I'm already hungry so seeing this photo makes me more hungry (hungrier?..:S) and phx-cdg who speaks about macarons now!!

    Good night.

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  9. By the way, stars are also called macarons, that's right. Or maybe I never understood the difference...that is possible. LOL

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  10. phx-cdg I ate there before so I know they are expensive... but Eric deserves it ;)

    Pont Girl I'm not sure if you are aware but the Michelin inspectors regularly visit restaurants anonymously and if there is a problem they will spot it. They also investigate complaints from readers and follow it up with visits of their own. The only way to keep the stars is by mantaining the highest standards required by the institution.
    According to rumours, they were in the brink of demotion last year and unfortunately had over 10 visits of inspectors who then decided to demote Le Grand Véfour and their main problem was consistency... a shame really because Guy Martin the chef is one of the best in the world.

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  11. Very interesting, Rose - merci! (and congrats on the Golden Finger x 3!)

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  12. For me it makes perfect sense that a star = a macaron

    It's like saying "how many macarons is this restaurant worth?" I know for me and for Pont Girl it's gotta be damn good to deserve 3 macarons!

    Rose, I strongly disagree with you... PDP number 1 fan is ME!!!!!!
    Ok, maybe there should be a contest for this category too!

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  13. Not to worry Monica, you are getting your reward.......
    Rose: Do you remember how much was lunch?

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  14. And so are you Phx, it's on the way.

    I always wondered why a tire manufacturer makes a restaurant guide. Where's the connection?!

    Doesn't hotels also loose a star if they fail to keep the required standards?

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  15. Let's make one thing clear here: I had the idea of number 1 fun. If I can't have it, no one else can!

    Number two: you and Lynn are all talk and deliver nothing. How many times have I managed to achieve GF the past few weeks?

    Number three: PDP needs new blood and I am newer than you.

    Number four: I can't think of one now but I am sure it exists.

    The same applies for number five and six.

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  16. phx-cdg
    I still have the receipt somewhere as I was going to write a review but never did. I think it was EU400 maybe a little more. If I find my notes, I will look it up tomorrow and I will tell you what I had and exactly how much it was.

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  17. Monica:
    The Michelin brothers started a company in 1889 and in order to encourage more travelling they started producing a giude to hotels (later restaurants) and also a map. Later they started awarding stars (1,2 or 3) and also Bib Gourmand (for under £28 meals)to their restaurants.
    It is quite commom for motoring organizations to have thier own guides. In Britain we have The AA (the best one) and Rac and a few others. In Brazil we used to have Guia Quatro Rodas
    Ok...enough!

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  18. Rose I think you mean number 1 fan, not number 1 fun! It's all the same anyway since we fans have a lot of fun here. he he

    You have won GF lots of times recently, I'll give you that. But the reason I'm out of the competition is because I'm taking night classes so I get home too late to post the first entrie.

    Hey what do you mean by all talk and no deliver?! I have done more than talk... I went to Paris and met our guru in person!!!

    ;-)

    Thanks for the explanation about the guide, it does makes sense. Does Guia Quatro Rodas also give stars to restaurants?

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  19. Monica I meant number one fAn yes.... stop picking on my grammatical errors! We will not talk abotu anything else then. lol

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  20. A Pages Jaunes view.

    I noticed on Wikipedia that Tour d'Argent below on 23 FÉVRIER 2008 also lost a couple stars and has but one now. It's as if the starry firmament that is Parisian dining is being slowly occluded by something akin to this seen on 10 JANVIER 2008. Or maybe the lovely PDP women above have been surreptitiously wolfing down those extra macarons. I'm sure they would if they could.

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  21. LOL Rose, I shouldn't talk about grammar I know... tenho teto de vidro né! (sorry, don't know how to say it in English)

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  22. Thank you, Eric, thank you! It brings back happy memories. We didn't get to eat there because we'd already blown our bank at Tour d'Argent and Le Pre Catalan. But we walked by several times and enjoyed the gardens at the Palais-Royal.

    If you go here
    http://www.grand-vefour.com/fr/diaporama.htm,
    which is on the site Eric linked to, you'll see a slide show of pretty photos of Le Restaurant Vefour.

    As for stars--I don't go for the food. I go for the history, and to think of the people who ate there before I did. But at those prices the food shouldn't taste like it's been sitting there since the 17th Century!

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  23. Speaking of macarons, Louis la Vache found sublime macarons here:
    http://louisrecettes.blogspot.com/2008/02/vraie-ptisserie-franaise-dans-san.html

    He also points out that mars est le mois du macaron!
    http://louisrecettes.blogspot.com/2007/03/le-mois-du-macaron.html

    À table!

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  24. Eric, if I could fall in love with France more than I have already, it would have been yesterday. On my portable telephone yesterday, I got a 'news flash' telling me that Le Grand Vefour had lost one of its stars! What country in the world, other than La France, would consider this a news flash! Vive la France!

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  25. Could this be to where those missing stars have wandered off? Guille has something else to look forward to in Tokyo.

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  26. Petra if you go for ambience and tradition you would love Rules in London. Quintessentially English is the perfect place to eat and not as expensive as Vefour.
    I reviewed it in my blog sometime ago and it is one of my favourite restaurant in London.

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  27. We have the Michelin too Eric. Why did it lose its stars, do you know?

    Gorgeous black & white shot.

    Yay Rose!!

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  28. Hungrier is fine, Guille.

    So; a contest for No. 1 fan huh. Rose your arguments are many, though they lack substance on one or two points. Monica you have certainly delivered. Hmm. I think, THINK, i have been a fan for the longest out of you girls? That must count for something. Phx i think you need to bring in the .... ConstiTUtion. Dun dun dur...

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  29. Lynn I know my arguments are weak...
    But I could hardly say I fancy Eric too, could I? :)
    Hehehe
    As for why they lost their star I explained in one of my previous comments

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  30. Thx for the link tall gary. Are you ever been to Japan? I saw you put a Japanese engraving. In French we call this kinds of prints with a monkey a "singerie".

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  31. Thanks Rose. You know your restaurants don't you? Maybe saying you fancy Eric might have caused some probs for you, yep. Is thinking it any better? lol!

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  32. Lynn, you are rotten!
    I fancy Eric just as much as I fancy everyone here! You guys are so fun that I can't help but keep coming back...
    As for the restaurants, yeah, I do. I m crazy about food, cooking and eating hence my weight!

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  33. He he Monica I read your comments (in "Building in danger!") and saw that our friends here didn't know HER? It's amazing. I met her two days ago by the way, I was with 2 friends who really liked her too. I think once you have met her, you can't forget her. Do you agree?

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  34. GUILLE! You MET her? Two DAYS ago? Oh this is unbearable. I am retreating to read some pages of A Thousand Splendid Suns (yes a wonderful book by the way, you were all right) - no work today. I shall sulk, ponder and read instead for half an hour.

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  35. Louis la Vache dit, "Oui, Tall Gary, peut-être vous avez raison!!"

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  36. Eric-

    How timely. I am leaving for Paris in 31 days and have lunch reservations for Le Grand Vefour. I believe it will be one of the highlights of my trip.

    Elisabeth

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  37. Yes Lynn, I MET her. :)
    Monica and I realized that we had a friend in common.

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  38. I always associate Le Grand Véfour with Raymond Oliver (1909-1990), who was its owner and head chef when I was growing up in France. Oliver started the very first cooking show on French TV (Art et magie de la cuisine, which ran for years and was co-hosted by Catherine Langeais. My family watched this show religiously.

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  39. A classic shot... Like something out of a classic French black and white film.
    Planet Earth Daily Photo
    .

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  40. You MET, Guille. MET! I can't believe you girls MET a NEW one and totally left ME out of the loop :) (i'll try emotional blackmail now i think). J'suis blesse, oui, blesse. (i don't have accents, je m'excuse)

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  41. Arrrgghhh un erreur; mon visage :) c'est TRISTE, pas contente! et voila.... :( c'est comme ca. Dis-moi maintenant? lol!

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  42. FYI, no they did not say why they lost their star. It seems to be pretty secret, I don't know why. According to leaks, the quality would have dropped because a deputy chef left. But I don't know this for a fact.

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  43. Rose seems to know - quote "According to rumours, they were in the brink of demotion last year and unfortunately had over 10 visits of inspectors who then decided to demote Le Grand Véfour and their main problem was consistency... a shame really because Guy Martin the chef is one of the best in the world.

    12:35 A

    Eric, c'est toi?

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  44. Eric, Rose has reveald us what happened to the star of this restaurant. I see she´s a real expert when it comes to restaurants.

    Guille so you´ve met our friend recently... how is she? or better yet, how are you after the meeting?
    Tell me, where did you meet her? In the Bastille area again?

    Michael will meet her in a few days you know... and I might meet her next weekend.

    Lynn I KNOW you know what we´re talking about!

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  45. YOu will meet her next weekend, Monica??? Michael in a few days' time? She's from Bastille? No i swear to you Monica i have NO IDEA what you're talking about. I'm guessing there is a trick somewhere, and for sure i am overdramatising the secrecy and quite how it's driving me crazy, but no i really do not know. I have absolutely no idea who she is.

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  46. Lynn I'm rolling on the floor laughing, for real! You're soooo lost,it grieves me to see you like that!! Your "je suis blessée, oui, blessée" was so fun! (btw, you have no accent but you're a girl so put 2 "e"...)

    Monica, we're not nice...niark niark.
    I met her on the Saint Germain des prés area this time, by accident. Maybe Michael already met her there too.
    She's very "sweet", that's why I like her.
    Btw, it's hailing in Paris!!

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  47. Really Guille?! In Saint Germain des Près! Where? I really would like to know, I stayed in this area last year, have I known she was around I would have stopped to say hello.

    I´m rolling on the floor too... oh Lynn should I end your misery and reveal the secret id or should I... laugh some more?!

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  48. It was rue Princesse if I remember (appropriate name!).
    Laugh some more, laugh some more!

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  49. Eric
    I don't think it is a secret.
    The Michelin Guide will be published on Thursday but everyone knows who is in and out etc.
    Yesterday the International Herald Tribune published the story and it is common knowledge.

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  50. Rue princesse? Saint Germain des Pres? you can say hello to her? Just like that? You two girls have me in a spin, you are such pickles and Guille i think you're enjoying it a little too much; i expect a witches cackle at any moment. Mon esprit est agite. I have just baked some cakes too and my concentration on this made me eat four of them yes four! without counting. I shall now blame my increasing waistline on the pair of you Monica and Guille. Well i have to blame someone. Not MY fault.

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  51. Mais Eric de quoi parlent-elles (Guille, Monica and Lynn)? Je ne comprends rien de rien... :( snif!

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  52. LOLLLL
    Corinne I don't think Eric has been introduced to the misterious Mlle.

    Lynn I'll say no more. All I can tell you is that the answer lies in the comments boxes. And that Mlle. is not a serious threat.

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  53. Seriously Lynn, how come you don't remember we talked about it here last month?!

    You even said you'd give it a try and get acquainted too...

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  54. Lynn, I'm giggling! It's not a kind of metaphor, I'm REALLY giggling!! Your comment reduced me to tears (tears of pleasure!). I love the way you write.
    But to take me for the responsible of this cakes massacre is unfair.:(
    You're too sensitive, so it's YOUR fault, not mine!

    Monica, we have to stop, I don't want lynn to get fat and to become sad. I like her, finally. ;)
    And see, Corinne is also wondering what we're talking about.

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  55. Monica and Guille
    Stop teasing Lynn!lol

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  56. he he Guille bless you i am glad to make you giggle. I do have a rather intriguing date coming up next week so i don't wish to look any larger than i do. I should like to choose a dress from my wardrobe and not have to borrow my son's tent. The cake massacre as you delightfully call it shall be blame-free then. Okay the eating MIGHT have been a little my fault. They were yum.
    Monica. I'm going to have a look back then at the comments but where to start? I really don't remember a conversation about 'getting acquainted and giving it a try' I KNOW i'd recall that! ;)

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  57. Rose, I just...can't. She's the best victim we have ever had.

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  58. I must stop this merriment for a groundbreaking constitutional decision.
    After studiously reading the Constitution all night,I could find nothing spelling out the definition of #1fan.
    Blogging the longest,meeting Eric in person or shamelessly professing your love of Eric and or the blog eliminates too many viable contenders.
    Based on a precedent (a comment about Lynn vsLynn finger fighting to the death on the banks of the Seine for fastest finger award),I have concluded only the fiercest of fans will give up their family, friends and sleep to vie for this award every night.
    Therefore,after one year, all winners of the Golden Finger award will meet in cyberspace to fight to the finish with only a stale baguette as a weapon. Winner will be taken to Le Vefour by Rose. Other scenarios are welcome, but must include Goden Finger award winners.

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  59. Phx I like that, specially the part where Rose will take us to Le Véfour!!!

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  60. My body is shaking, my belly is painful, my eyes are crying, no sound comes out of my mouth because I can't breath anymore and, to finish, an ugly grimace stays on my face.
    No, it's not the effect of soft or hard drugs, nor the effect of medecine, nor the effect of out-of-date food.
    No, this is the result of one little sentence :"I should like to choose a dress from my wardrobe and not have to borrow my son's tent".
    You KILLED me Lynn, I can't imagine someone draped in a tent for an intriguing date. I'm still laughing 15 minutes after your comment.

    Phx-Cdg, Whaaaa, I'm afraid of you now! You're so strict! :)

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  61. Louis la Vache dit: "Louis feels left out - all this talk about 'Golden Fingers' and Louis has no fingers...."

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  62. LOL !!! Phx! Your commitment to stay up all night to read the Constitution must surely make you a contender? I will fight with my baguette for this coveted position. I will not give up family and friends but i will gladly give up sleep to make my fingers more golden. When does the Constitution state this will take place? Imagine if we could all meet for the picnic on the Seine. Then we would be seen in a most unseemly unladylike manner, weidling real baguettes and fighting on the grass, pink confection dresses and hair flying.

    Guille lol! I am now your victim. You will continue in your pleasure, since i have gone through the comments and found only a name i do not recognise, in ref to Mlle. It means nothing to me i am afraid. I shall need more help before i fall forlorn, flustered and futile at your feet.

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  63. Lynn, take a look at my previous comment, now I'M your victim. Victim by the laugh...

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  64. I invited Eric not a bunch of gooseberries ;) And what if I win? Who will take me?
    I tell you what! I have the perfect solution:
    I hereby declare myself (it was MY idea in the first place) PDP Number 1 fAn... and anyone who wants to defy my position me has to take ME to Véfour... hehehe

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  65. Louis, I can't stop laughing long enough to make a comment on you.

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  66. Guille he he that was so well written! I am so thrilled that you are doubled-up at the prospect of my turning up to my date in a tent. I am somewhat less enamoured by the thought, as i am sure he will be. Pssst ! Phx IS strict isn't she. What makes me more afraid is... i think i like it.

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  67. lol Louis La Vache, you and you're cute little paw

    Lynn I can't stand it, I'm a good friend so I'll help you. Caipirinha Lynn, caipirinha. The brazilian drink!!! Michael refers to it as Mlle Caip. I. Rinha., this is his secret date in Brazil!
    We talked about it a while ago and you said even though you don't drink much, you'd be willing to give it a try!

    Guilee enjoys this drink too. It's delicious, very icy, very good, specially with our hot weather here. But it's quite strong too, it's made with cachaça (similar to vodka) so maybe you better stay away from it!

    I'm out for the rest of the day now girls, won't be able to compete for GF. When I get home today it will already be wednesday in Europe.

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  68. Il est difficile, if not impossible, for Louis to give anyone the finger, golden or otherwise....

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  69. Phx i think we should inform Louis la vache that hoofs are most welcome. We're not that fussy, what's a few centimetres between girls?

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  70. Loved your gooseberry line, Rose! he he. I don't think i can afford to merely open the door at Vefour at the moment and neither can Guille. She and i will meet you on the Seine instead. En plein air, a vision of feminine bloggers clad in silly, fluffy dresses (or tents), eating chocolate, cakes and brandishing baguettes whilst Eric lies nearby being fed grapes and photographing the ensemble affreux. Michael will be present too, avec Mlle. C'est possible, ca? Give me a hint.

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  71. At LAST Monica!!! Thank you for filling me in. he he i DO remember the conversation about the drink yes. You two girls, winding me up that Michel had a Michelle. Okay if i get to the Seine, i shall try this drink...but only a little. It sounds like it might have more of a punch than you girls.
    Enjoy your evening Monica. Where IS Michael by the way? He's missing all the fun. What does Eric think of our antics today i wonder? Shall we be admonished? Brr. Sharp intake of breath.

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  72. Louis,how DO you show your displeasure, then?
    Since you are bilingual, it makes my award for you, more difficult.I would not award you the Le President award, as that label is the KRAFT of France. Perhaps, La Fermiere? Their yogurt is contained not in plastic or glass, but pottery containers!!

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  73. I forget who mentioned hailstones but someone did... we had them too and i've posted a photo for tomorrow at Cheltenham. Bring a brolly.

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  74. Le Guide Michelin also sprinkles stars on San Francisco..[since 2006]we were the second city outside of Europe to get a guide[First was New York in 2005]and yet some of the places they award stars to here are...Well...can I say, Questionable??

    For the Brits..[Miz Lynn??]there was a "2020 Special" on TV last night about a month in the life of the Royal Family...you can see it here.. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=4360004&page=1

    Sorry, don't have time to HTML it...just copy and paste. It was absolutely fascinating and believe me, I'm not a Royalist or Monarchist for that matter!!! LOL!!

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  75. Lynn, do you feel relieved now? I guess yes!
    If I'm not able to open the door of the Vefour it's not because I don't want to, it's because my wallet doesn't want me to do that! I have to feed it with some notes before...
    (Lynn, you said "well written"? Yeaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!).

    Have a nice evening Monica. Et...Bien joué! ;)

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  76. PHX-CDG - In polite company, Louis is not at liberty to disclose how he shows displeasure, but it has nothing to do with any golden hooves - or fingers....it involves something Petrea might have seen in a field outside of Appleton....

    Louis has it on good authority that the reason Vefour lost its macaron is because they were serving...sssshhhhhh....boeuf! Louis knows that rumor is true because he started it himself!

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  77. Yes, Guille, me too: my wallet is bare right now! Also yes, very well written! To write in another language with such humour, i wish i could do it!

    Tonton thank you so much for that. I enjoyed it; i've seen bits but not all. I always watch such programmes if i can. To see Prince William visiting the homeless moved me, just as his mother used to do, late at night and without cameras, she went. I always feel so sad she can't see things like this. I admired Diana so much as you can probably tell. thank you Tonton!

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  78. À tonton_flaneur:
    If you haven't discovered it, there is a REAL pâtisserie in San Francisco - and you can get REAL macarons there!

    http://louislavache.blogspot.com/2008/02/vraie-ptisserie-franaise-dans-san.html

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  79. Late to the conversation as usual!
    Rose, thanks for the suggestion. I looked up Rules and it looks wonderful. Perfect for my next London trip (please, British friends, do something about that pound for us, will you?).

    Oh and by the way, I'm saving my money to take you to Restaurant Vefour, Rose. Afterwards we'll meet all the girls in Saint Germain and get plowed.

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  80. I love the title you chose, Eric.
    'Desperately looking for a star'.

    Don't look for it, you definitely deserve, at least, three stars, for all of us.

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  81. Lynn, next time you come down to Kent drop by and I will make you the best caipirinha you ever had in your life (easy since you never had it before hehehe). I always have Brazilian rum in the house and lime so I can have one ;)

    Petrea, you have a deal. You take me to the Vefour and I will take you to Rules.

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  82. So i reckon the race will consist of me, Rose, Louis, Guille, Petrea and i bet Phx will appear. lol! Good luck. You'll need it.

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  83. It's a bit late to be stumbling in here, albeit with an icy glass of caipirinha in my wobbling hand (he wishes) but to answer Guille's question, I lived in Tokyo for 15 years.

    Thank you for teaching me the term "singerie." I wonder if that would also be an appropriate term for my own visage. I have to admit that there are definitely times when I look in a mirror that my gaze is returned by that of an over-the-hill, greying around the ears monkey.

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  84. I don't think I will win anything in here tonight. Just won a huge lot of worthless chips in Poker in Facebook... luck won't srtike twice tonight

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  85. Lynn, I have a feeling that Eric is going to post really late tonight.

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  86. Do you think he's cross we've been gossiping? I hope not, i can't imagine Eric's face without a smile... :)

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  87. We haven't been gossiping Lynn...gossiping is beneath us.
    If he is annoyed he will have to come out and tell us himself :)
    Eric...where are you?

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  88. Lynn, wouldn't be so funny if he didn't post tonight:)?
    That surely would teach us a lesson :)

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  89. LOL yes it would! You're right, gossiping is beneath us. Gossiping is beneath us. Have you also noticed that Guille goes quiet around this time? Sitting there, quietly in the shadows, ready to pounce? Brr. Is anyone else scared?

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  90. That's ok, you girls go talk among yourselves...

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  91. Guille probably doesn't want to be distracted :)

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  92. Oh I hope Eric will not do that you said Rose!
    Actually,I'm already tired so I think I will withdraw for the GF race.
    Lynn,I hear you giggling,do it less noisily please.

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  93. I'm here girls, my friends just left me few minutes ago!

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  94. And, after thinking about, after seeing your nasty comments, (especially you Lynn! Yes, you!)I decided to stay.
    Poor you! LOL

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  95. Yeah Lynn, I can hear you too.
    Shhhh
    Guille are you really going to bed or is it an excuse for us to relax and not worry about the race?

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  96. LOL Guille!!! You heard me! I was, i was. You will not go to bed, Guille, i just don't believe you he he.

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  97. I notice that you don't comment anymore. Are you both pushing the refreshing button every second?...

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  98. What about you:)?
    She is not refreshing this window Lynn...hahaha

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  99. Who will stay until the post?.. I think Eric do it intentionnaly, he wants to know who is the REAL fan. He he you won't be disappointed Eric!

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  100. I have one finger on the refresh, eight fingers on the keyboard and one eye on Sleepless in Seattle. I can't COPE ! lol.

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  101. I bet he's fallen asleep on that bench again.

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  102. I m playing poker and now and again I refresh...

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  103. Lynn, you have only 9 fingers?? So you can't be a GF!!

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  104. He usually comes in here first and THEN posts. What if he mixed it all up tonight and posts first? Eek. Honestly, the things we have to worry about.........sigh........

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  105. Do you believe that: I had to turn off my laptop during 5 minutes because my internet connection didn't work anymore!! I was qur Eric would take advantage of this situation, but, no!

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  106. lol Guille, no i meant i was alternately using ...oh no you don't! You want to keep me occupied don't y..........

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  107. Rose? Rose? Where are you?
    I'm the only one who writes long comments. Are you kind of cowards girls or what??

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  108. Remember the days when the comments were at least peripherally about the photos? Ah, nostalgia.

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  109. See, there it is! The witch's cackle. I KNEW it. lol.

    You know, Eric sometimes goes out til late. He goes to exotic parties, night clubs, previews, dog poo prowling, even ironing demonstrations late at night. Who knows where he is.

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  110. Last night I went to bed 2am. It looks like I am going to stay up tongiht again!
    Please Eric, take pit on us and post. We are all tired, poor Guille has her studies to do, Lynn has to pay attention to her Sleepless in Seattle and me well, I have to finish my story about the woman who stalked a blogger!

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  111. lol Rose.

    Sorry Buzzgirl, just a bit of fun. We have been talking about the photo subject too today.

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  112. I like a man who can make it last all night. Take your sweet time, Eric.

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  113. Rappel à l'ordre...ceci dit, buzzgirl n'a pas tort...:S

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  114. In fact Buzzgirl, today we talked about the subject of the photo more than usually, didn't we Lynn and Guille?

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  115. We did Rose, with fun too, but we talked about.

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  116. Oh no...they are all here now!
    I don't stand a chance! :(

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  117. It's Suzy we have to watch. She always says the right thing. lol.

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  118. LOL Rose. So you like my witch's cackle Lynn??
    Where is Petrea?..

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  119. I do indeed! I reckon Eric is at Vefour! We could be here til 2

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  120. Or worth Lynn...he could be with competition!
    Is Anne in Paris at the moment?

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  121. I m very tired...pit instead pitty, worth instead worse... oh dear me!

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  122. LOL ah well it's been fun. I am going to have to bow out now. What a giggle, girls. It's good to see you Buzzgirl, tonight really was much more long and crazy than usual, just fun.

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  123. Rose, we, people of PDP forgive you for your mistakes. Here is the place to improve your English. But aren't you English?? LOL

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  124. I m going to bed too...
    Night everyone

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  125. No Guille, I m Brazilian. I have been living in England for almost 15 years though and my heart is English :)

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  126. More than 49 comments in 2hours, you're right Lynn, it's longer than usual.

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  127. Night night. Psst! Pont Girl is also around, she's just been to my blog! he he. She may turn up. I'm really going to bed now, night my friends, we had a lot of fun tonight .Work for me tomorrow. zzzzz

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  128. I noticed that you spoke Portugese with Monica but thought it was a language you know. How a Brazilian stands the English weather?? ;)

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  129. OK this is my final post tonight
    Out.

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  130. This is the night I fell in love with Louis the cow

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  131. Hey Lynn, thanks for ratting me out - I was trying to be a lurker without announcing my presence!! :)

    An-ti-ci-pa-tion, Eric!

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  132. I have to bow out, too, but just for now. It's quitting time and the road home is a very long one (50 miles). I will check back in later tonight though. I'm getting worried about our friendly Parisian!

    The comments box is yours, phx-cdg and pont girl.

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  133. À Petrea: Louis was trying to be polite about it....
    À phx-cdg: Louis is worried about how he will explain this to his bride!
    http://louislavache.blogspot.com/2008/02/ntre-mariage-dans-lglise-4-novembre.html

    http://pour-la-famille.blogspot.com/2008/02/ntre-mariage-dans-lglise-4-novembre.html

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  134. It's fun to come in late and watch this conversation after it happened. I'm almost never here at posting time, that's why I was so disappointed to lose the GF when I thought I was once first!

    So sweet of you to ask about me, Guille!

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  135. I'm scared girls. I come back home late in the night and what do I find?

    144 comments.

    very scary...

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  136. This is the awful thing, Monica: I had to read them all. I'll never again get any work done.

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  137. I know exactly what you mean Petrea!

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  138. 148 comments; 20 people, give or take an anonyme.

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  139. Sorry about the 148 comments...:S We were waiting for the new post and Eric took a malicious pleasure to keep us waiting. But we had a good time anyway, giggling most of the time.

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  140. We certainly did giggle. And why not.
    Pont Girl sorry for ratting on you, i regret it now :) lol so Guille although you said you gave up, you came back in. Ha! What will tonight bring....?

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  141. Hey Eric did not come home and comment. Are we in trouble? :o

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  142. Yes Lynn, I said I give up, then brushed my teeth and came back LOL.
    Tonight I'm out of race, I receive a Norvegian friend and we will cook an international meal together. :P

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  143. Don't know yet...fish cooked in oven (called "poisson en papillotte"), certainly salmon with vegetables (brocoli and potatoes) with a Roquefort sauce.
    Ok actually I do know what I want to cook, but I have to ask him before. LOL.
    Does anybody have an idea for the dessert? I don't.

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  144. Sounds good Guille.
    I would vote for something delicate and simple to not fight in your stomach while it tries to digest the roquefort sauce :)

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  145. Something like...macarons?? :)
    Unfortunatelly, I don't have the good tins. I'll try to cook meringues. Light as the air.
    (My stomach will disagree but I fancy an apple crumble...)

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  146. Crumble is yummy! I was going to suggest it but thought it may be heavy. Perhaps toasted marshmallows with a drizzled chocolate sauce and light powdered icing sugar on top. Only a few, on a plate. Perfect, small, sweet finish.
    So you are expecting a Norweigan friend to visit you, or he's coming round, or coming to dinner(not receive, sounds rather intimate!) I hope you have a great time. I may fall asleep earlier tonight so i may be out of the race too.

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  147. Having said that, Guille, the Victorians would 'receive visitors', i think Royalty still does, and it's of course why we have reception rooms but generally we wouldn't say it now.

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  148. LOL lynn, your explanation about "receive" is funny and I didn't know that. I consider myself as a member of the French Monarchy, so what?
    So, my friend CAME to dinner. He lives in Paris for 2 months and he's now totally fluent it's amazing. (you know what you have to do Lynn!!)

    I opted for a pear-cinnamon pie with almond powder and a spoon of "crème fraîche"...not light but really good.

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  149. That pudding sounds delicious except i'm not keen on almond. Yum though! I would adore to come to Paris for two months. One day perhaps when my sons are all leading their own lives i could.
    HM the Queen Guille has a certain ring to it, yes! Perhaps you should meet William.

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  150. I would love to!! He's so georgous. :P
    You're welcome to my flat for a wonderful dinner, without almond.
    You know what Lynn? I'm GF. Ha ha ha ha ha.

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  151. he he he i know Guille, i am pleased, yes i am! Thank you for the invitation. I hope one day i might be able to accept. The invitation is reciprocated.
    William seems to like dark haired girls, Guille...! I posted a much younger pic of myself quite a few posts ago (there's some coffee at my blog to finish off your dinner by the way), and it keeps reminding me of you. Quite similar i think when i was much much younger! Or perhaps it's just my wishful thinking LOL.

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  152. I'm going to see it Lynn! You looked like me when you were younger? It gives me some hope for later, I think you're beautiful. (okay everybody, there is no flirt in my comment!!!)
    Thx for the coffee but not tonight, I've to sleep, have a meeting tomorrow morning with an auctioneer...:S

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  153. That's so kind, Guille. just a bit i think, there's a certain 'look' perhaps...
    Yes i'm going to bed too. Au dodo. Good luck with the auctioneer!

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  154. Posted a comment on your blog Lynn, bonne nuit. (By the way, we say "faire dodo" which means "to sleep".)

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  155. Hi Eric love your blog, love this photo, love Paris

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  156. amazing photo..i wish i could get that blown up and put in my living room!

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  157. Eric, you take great photos! Sadly, it's not one of my skills. I would love more pictures of food!

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  158. i love the way glow of the sign against the darkness in this photo :)

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