Monday, October 20, 2008

Le Zinc!


Here is another typical Paris scene! We often call the bar that can be found in cafés, "Le zinc", after the name of the metallic chemical element (even though, and I'm sure it will be a surprise to all my French readers, I found out that no bars have ever been made out of Zinc!). The little red and white napkin under the glasses is also very French: the red and white motive (which can also be green or blue) is called "Le Vichy" because it was originally made in Vichy (in the South center of France) - It was Brigitte Bardot who made it famous when she got married in a Vichy style dress in 1959!

59 comments:

  1. Love this photo! Parisian bars are so unique. Great zinc. Better with old mosaics though! Thanks dmfie a great everydday scene!

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  2. Too bad this place isn't in New York -- looks like a perfect venue for a get-together when you visit!

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  3. This is so cool with all those glasses waiting for wine. Great shot again!

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  4. You're right, Eric, your zinc story is a surprise for me! So why is it call le zinc?

    Another point:Vichy is not really in the South of France. South of Paris is not necessary South of France ;-))

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  5. Wow, so many stupid typos! I will be happy to get back to a real keyboard tomorrow! And don't get me started on the French keyboard that requires you to shift to get a period!

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  6. Katie, GF for your last day in Paris!
    Welldone!
    Take care of the Crown in the plane ;-)

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  7. Why does everything look better, smell better and taste better......in Paris, France????

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  8. This looks so inviting, Eric. I would like to be there sharing a glass and conversation with you!

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  9. Those look like good quality glasses, they distort the checkered pattern so little. The light is lovely.

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  10. Thib I wasn't even trying for GF, but I'll admit I'm happy to have it on my last night in Paris. I'm almost done packing and will actually be in bed before 1:00 am for a change! Starting tomorrow I go back to my regular life, but I'll be thinking about my next trip to Paris. Again thank you Mille fois Eric for creating such a wonderful community!! I owe you big time!

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  11. Make mine a rouge, waiter: and, if you wouldn't mind, bring the bottle. I promised myself that, this time, I wouldn't leave until I'd soaked up Paris well and good - and I never break a promise!

    Oh, and...um, merci beaucoup, monsieur.

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  12. In the States, that is material for picnics!! It makes you think of summer days, eating out of doors, and having fun with family and friends. I've read about the 'Le zinc' as well, wondering why it was called that when there was no zinc! One of those mysteries of life I guess....

    Bonsoir, Katie, glad you had a great visit!

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  13. Well le zinc looks like le zinc so who cares. I love this photo Eric. I love the closeup of the bar and the glasses and the patrons in the background. The light bouncing off those glasses and the bottles is lovely. Oh dear, I'm talking to you like I do "regular" DP folks about their photographs! Excusez- moi!!!! Now I'm all aflutter....

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  14. "Well we was having so much fun
    I didn't know it was half past one
    I turned around to have one more
    I looked at the clock and it was half past four

    Hey bartender
    Hey man look a here
    A draw one, draw two, draw three, four glasses of beer..."

    If we can't get to the bar, Eric brings it home to us...you're a blues brother fo sho! Plus, I bet there's no chicken wire in this joint. Have one on me, Eric! ;-)

    Katie...safe travels to you! What a grand time you've had. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Love reading about these kinds of details.

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  16. Next trip I pomise I will go into a bar. Really.
    Love the closeup and the color.

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  17. Thib, I once knew a French Chef and restaurant owner in San Francisco. He owned several French restaurants and one did have a Zinc bar. He said it was an antique, and they don't really make them or have them anymore. He said it was genuine Zinc. It looked like it to me. The metal even had a stamp in it saying Zinc. He pointed that out to my attention.

    We have a Le Zinc French Bistro in San Francisco, and they said it is named le Zinc after Paris cafés traditionally called zincs. The restaurant features an antique zinc bar.

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  18. phx-cdg a dit...
    "Why does everything look better, smell better and taste better......in Paris, France????"

    PHX, I think it's because everything's prettier, more fragrant and tastier in Paris!

    Virginia, I do that all the time. I can't help it. Eric only made fun of me once, and he was very sweet about it.

    I love the photo, Eric. As always, you chose an imaginative angle. Hope you're on the way to enjoying your vacation.

    Speaking of which, Katie, safe travels to you, and sweet dreams in your crown.

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  20. I had thought it was in the centre of France, too! See how we English spell centre, whilst the American spell it center. So, Eric, then you chose American English! Herrrumph! lol... ;)

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  21. Yes, Katie -- congrats on GF. I admit I was trying this time, but it seems right that you should wear it home. Just don't let the guys at airport security take it!

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  22. When I live briefly in Chicago, my favorite place to eat was a little place called Bistro Zinc and it had a bar just like this. I always felt like I was in Paris when I went there. Now, Scottsdale Arizona has a place called Zinc Bistro again with the same bar. However, it's just not the same. I can't close my eyes and feel like I'm in Paris and this place.

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  23. Nice picture.
    So French.
    After some research, I found that Eric was quite right, "Le Zinc des bistrots" was, in fact, made of "étain" (tin ? pewter ?), becoming as brilliant as silver after years of use and cleaning.

    I don't know how to add a link in a comment but, for those interested, some nice Zincs are waiting for you there :
    http://www.bistrots-dautrefois.com/zincs.html

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  24. I think the bar at Cafe Bastille is also zinc. I'm just talking about the very top, not the sides legs, rim, or anything else. Just the top, and the metal is also stamped. It looks really old, but very sturdy. I was told by Michele, a French chef, that it is only the top that use to be made out of zinc. And you can still find them, however, they are rare and difficult to find. He assured me that his ZINC BAR is REAL!

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  25. Well, dang it, I missed another ET ET ET moment! I was out all day and night and I almost looked at PDP on my husband's iPhone - something was telling me I ought to check PDP - but I resisted the urge. Thank you, Eric!! XOXO

    In a pitiful effort to offer an excuse, I was distracted by a somewhat special lady named TINA TURNER, who rocked my world last night!

    In today's photo, I love the neon light fixture reflected in the glasses! Great angle, too.

    Eric, as Tina would say, you're simply the best.

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  26. I love these scenes Eric and it makes me happy after hearing all of these comments to know that I can have lunch like I did today in a brasserie with a "zinc" any time I want. I'm also especially pleased today to share with you that I received my 10 year resident card at the prefecture this morning. I kissed the lady who gave it to me and she was happy for me!

    Katie, I'm glad you got to experience so much of what I enjoy about Paris. I'm sorry I stood you and Guille up the other night, and had I known it was going to be one of your last, I would have woke myself up to be there. Your comment, "And don't get me started on the French keyboard that requires you to shift to get a period!" really cracked me up!

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  27. And Lois, regarding your comment about Michel, the French chef, "He assured me that his ZINC BAR is REAL!", you shouldn't believe everything a man tells you! ;-)

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  28. I just enlarged the picture and I was wondering if the tablecloth under the glasses was not more likely some traditional "tissage catalan" instead of Vichy. A more "rustique" fabric that goes well with a "coup de rouge, du saucisson et un Laguiole".

    Michael, congratulations for your card, maybe you'll have more than a simple glass of wine tonight, Champagne pour tout le monde !!!

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  29. Congratulations Michael!

    So, like, if you and I got married, would I get a card like yours? Oh wait, I'm already married to a French citizen...so I guess not. ;)

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  30. And...if I give you a card, Michael, will I get a kiss? :)

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  31. Michael, "you shouldn't believe everything a man tells you!" LOL He also told me, when I showed him my diamond ring from Harry Winston's, "Oh, I could have bought you that!" Yeah right, and why didn't he???? :-) hmmmmmmm? LOL

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  32. Congratulations Michael! I assume this means you've been living in Paris (sigh) for 10 years. But, maybe I'm wrong - what is this card all about? I've heard French beaurocracy can be daunting, I hope its not a card officially marking your intent to become a resident - with an issue date from a decade ago!! (And, can I get a three weeks resident card for my stay??!)

    I'm now out of the work woods and can post again (yeah!) and I'm getting ready to hit the City of Light. (Whoo-hoo : )) In that regard, does anyone know, since its really hard to tell from the website, whether you can: 1) walk the park area of, or 2) go into the buildings of, or 3)none of the above - at Marie Antoinette's Hamlet area at Versailles in November? The site's not up to date and it's confusing too. So, any info is appreciated.

    Katie -- what a wonderful way to go out -- transatlantic GF!! I'll be seeing your spirit and Pont Girl's everywhere!

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  33. Carrie, when I visited in May of '06 you could walk the park area but not go in the buildings of Le Petit Hameau. Don't know if that's changed.

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  34. I did a search on "antique zinc bars France" as if I were going to buy one, and this company (http://www.cafesocietystore.com/a_bistroware.html) is selling one as advertised "FRENCH ART DECO ZINC BAR $45,000.00". They also go on to say, "From the cafés of France we source authentic wood bars and zinc counters that were used in the cafés and bistros of Paris from 1900-1930."

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  35. Thanks all for the well wishes. I've been in France for 10 years (with a slight detour during the time), so have had to go back each year for a renewal. Now I don't have to stand in that awful line for another 10 years. As for citizenship, I'll have to wait and see.

    Eiffel Tower Suzy - I didn't know you were married to a French man...

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  36. Here you go Lois and all, everything you ever wanted (or not) to know about Zinc and a company that makes Zinc counters.

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  37. Yes.

    It's time to confess to you, Michael. Right here in front of everyone.

    I am Carla Bruni posting incognito as Eiffel Tower Suzy. Now that you know my truth, do you still love me?

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  38. Still love you? Still love you? I love you even more! I mean President Sarkozy is quite busy, which must leave you a lonely, beautiful woman who needs attention. What do you say we rendezvous under my other favourite lady and yours, the Eiffel Tower?!

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  39. Sorry, I do not have time for my peasants. You will have to continue to worship me from afar.

    Don't forget to buy my new CD.

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  40. LOL Suzy and Michael you're making me split my sides!

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  41. Suzy and Michael -- you crack me up!
    Congrats, Michael -- I know what you've been going through, from having to deal with a carte de sejour (and my boss was friends with the head of the prefecture de police, so I got to skip the line). Even so, not fun, so good for you!

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  42. Well, you've got me stumped Suzy, er, I mean Carla. I'm trying my hardest to find a pun with guillotine and Guille, but I'm too tired to be any more creative. Let's just say that since I've been rejected that we knock it OFF while your still WITH YOUR HEAD

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  43. he he. You should get Happy 10th cards now, Michael! I'll be first; Happy 10th to you dear Michael. France obviously suits you and you suit it.

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  44. Don't lose your head over it, Michael! Just hand over the cake and no one will get hurt.

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  45. Uh oh. Eric's scheduler must have crashed. This is going to be a long two weeks...

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  46. Suprised to see some ashtrays though since the smoking ban, unless it is used for the terrace outside ?!! ;-)
    Belle nappe a carreaux blanc et rouge. And very nice photo. Loic http://brohardphotography.blogspot.com

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  47. OM goodness, so we're in the situation of waiting for the auto post again? Who is brave enough to desert their post and forego the possibility of....being GF? ... dun dun dur...

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  48. No auto post Lynn. I'm late, that is all!

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  49. About the ashtray Loic, I too wondered why they had them.

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  50. Michael, Merci for the link of who is currently making zink counter tops. It's a UK company! Wow That's interesting.

    It's great that you don't have to renew your card for ten years. My X (being from Paris) here in San Francisco has a card -- it's called a "Pink Card" but it isn't pink. LOL Maybe it was pink many years ago. Kinda like the zink thing. And he must renew it to. And -- "As for citizenship, I'll have to wait and see." He has the same sentiments about being an American citizen. I think he is too French to give up his citizenship as he has been here since 1989.

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  51. Great picture and its also great that you don,t have to renew your card for next 10 years.

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  52. This is a beautiful picture! I love the glasses, all shiny and lined up ready for another group of visitors.

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  53. Eric,

    This photos is fantastic, I love it!

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