Friday, July 17, 2009

Dinner Faubourg Saint Honoré


Last evening for business purposes, I went to the HQ of Europacorp, the movie studio owned and managed by French film maker Luc Besson (the one who became famous after this). It's a superb building (what used to be a Hôtel particulier), located in the heart of the 8th arrondissement, in which I found this beautiful sculpture (I don't know who made it, nor if it has a name). But wait, that's not all! In the courtyard there is also an Italian restaurant called Ante Prima, where you can enjoy a nice dinner outside away from the street traffic (which is very difficult to find in Paris). On top of that, the manageress is outstandingly nice (even though she's French!)

22 comments:

  1. Eric! You really didn't need to dress up for us lol. I bet the Italian restaurant meal was yummy.

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  2. What are you saying, Eric, that French people aren't nice? I disagree wholeheartedly. :)

    The light green on his face makes him look like a real man in makeup.

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  3. LOL Suzy. I was just making fun of some stereotypes about the French! It's true, though, that in some restaurants people are not very friendly.

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  4. Hey Lynn,

    I like the photo your using for your profile. I think I could put up with some unfriendly behavior in a restaurant in France... I'd still be in Paris! France is not the only country with unfriendly people in restaurants.

    Besides, Eric has shown us how friendly and courteous France really is. Eric is a real gentlemen and a kind host. If you've never thought about visiting Paris {it's hard to believe that}, after visiting PDP... you will definitely want to visit and enjoy the beauty of Paris, France.

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  5. A nice person who is not French? I must visit this strange restaurant.

    Eric, your photos of the past few days have been as delightful as ever. I haven't commented but I am here. Sometimes I'm just too busy to pipe up, but I never miss a day.

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  6. moi aussi, Petrea.

    How to get a French person on your side? Try desparately to speak the language, and after the alloted amount of time that you assult their ears and mangle the grammar, they will willingly speak English(or whatever)back. And, they will be nice about it and then ask you where you are from. Proceed with a pleasant conversation and you have walked away with a richer fuller understanding of one of my favorite cultures. And if you are American, you know the reverse(people who speak fluent French) wouldn't happen so quickly here.

    PS, the sculpture looks like a real person to me!

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  7. He looks like a statue of Ousmane Sow, I think I already talked to you about him. Check on his website (sorry, I cant link anything, I cant even log in here!)

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  8. Even though shes French... Pffff, meme pas vrai!

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  9. Yeah, I must admit when I looked at this statue I thought it was some French dude trying to update the look of the classic Green Hornet. No wonder I often find myself talking to statues I think are people. Perhaps my eyesight is starting to fade. Too much time in books, reading music charts, and typing on this computer. Actually you should try it--the statue conversations that is; statues rarely talk back to you and I've yet to be cursed by one of them in either French or English. Oh yes, there was a German statue years ago that once did mock me (I think it was either Goethe or Schiller) but I digress. ;-) I look forward to the new PDP look, Eric. I'm sure you will bring the goods as you always do.

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  10. Exactly my thoughts Coltrane...Green Hornet!! Wonder if the French call him (which is actually a "her" in French) La Guêpe Verte?

    Anyway, I'll have to try this restaurant and see if the waitress is of the taille de guêpe sort. I'll let someone else explain.

    So Eric, did you see a movie there? If you're on vacation, why were you there for "business purposes"?

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  11. my first thought was....i look like this when i put on my facial mask. the first time my son saw me he freaked out - it was pretty funny. i love le grand bleu, i saw it when it opened on the champ elysee - so many great memories.

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  12. I'm not a Luc Besson fan, but Le Grand Bleu commercial left a very good impression on me: "N'y Allez Pas,Ça Dure Trois Heures". Well, killing time is not my expertise. I rather go for una anteprima...

    Lynn, you stole the scene!

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  13. Oh! Speaking of scene...Giulietta, by the end of Act II, expires on the body of Romeo.

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  14. My worst experience in a restaurant was in Paris. The owner started shouting at us when we complained! To be fair, we were young and naive and expected better for the meagre amount we were willing to fork out. But still, the tourist-hate generated by that 'gentleman' was staggering. Hopefully he has mellowed in the intervening years :)

    Great photo Eric. Lens and settings used?

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  15. Michael LOL! Heaven forbid I translate it into English.

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  16. I like this bust, even odd, I like it more!
    Ahhh Le grand bleu, a very good memory for me and something I'm really experiencing now (la grande bleue).
    I love all these discoveries you make be possible Eric for business or personal purposes.
    You are always at the top of the wave.
    Such a boy !!! ;) bises chaudes (ensoleillées).

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  17. I like this bust, even odd, I like it more!
    Ahhh Le grand bleu, a very good memory for me and something I'm really experiencing now (la grande bleue).
    I love all these discoveries you make be possible Eric for business or personal purposes.
    You are always at the top of the wave.
    Such a boy !!! ;) bises chaudes (ensoleillées).

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  18. Mon Dieu, I could use a vacation of wandering around and discovering a restaurant. Well, the weekend is almost here.

    Notre Reine can PDP, but not log on? No matter, best wishes to La Reine and her consort!

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  19. always such wonderful pictures. I was hoping that you would be out to visit the Tour de France again this year. I am doing my Tour de French Cuisine again this year, cooking my way through all the stages of the Tour and the towns they visit. I hope you get some great pictures on the final day.

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  20. Love it :)
    You are always the best for all new ideas and encounters.
    Thank you...

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  21. Whew, I just made it. Dieu soit loué, because I can't imagine a day without PDP! Love this interesting shot, Eric. The statue really stands out against the background.
    BTW, can't actually recall having a horrible resto experience in Paris. But I did have a concierge there—that woman just didn't like me, I think!
    Coltrane -- you crack me up.
    PHX -- as you say, it definitely helps if you speak French or at least make the attempt (and rightly so).

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