Shang Palace, Paris

We left the office around 11.45 to travel the 7 km to the Shang Palace. It took over 45 minutes to get there, as the traffic was thick and made worst by the pouring rain.

Parking places are hard to find in this area so we used the hotel's valet service which turned out to be free if you are a diner. 

J & N (two of my colleagues) arrived before us, and were still taking in the opulent surroundings and enjoying an apéritif.

I had booked a private room and it was quite something.  The photo above is of the lighting above our table.

The photo is not good, but this is of our salon area in our room.  Only J & N got to sit here as they arrived earlier than us.

Our director asked if we minded if he ordered all of the food and of course we weren't going to say no.  From this point onwards, I only took a couple of photos as we were all too busy eating and talking, but especially  eating.  One of the dishes we shared was a Vegetarian Pagoda (above), this was very refreshing and delicate.
We all had soup, I chose Bouddha Jumping Over the Wall.  I was curious to try this one, mainly because of it's title.  It was excellent, but I'm not sure it was worth 55 Euros!! (I was not aware of the price until today, Sunday)

We shared Roasted Peking duck with Pancakes in two services, this was good, but weird to have one service with the meat with lettuce leaves and the other with just the skin and pancakes...I would have liked just some meat still to be attached to the skin and this was expensive too, 200 euros for based on five people eating it.
The Shang Palace Rice cooked in a Lotus Leaf was ok, but at this point we were all becoming rather full* and I much preferred the Fried rice Chef style that even when full I managed a couple more chop sticks full. 

We were service great tea throughout the whole meal and myself and M (anther colleague) enjoyed a few glasses of some excellent Meursault.  Culinary wise, I just love the Fried rice Chef style and the Barbecued Meat Combination (with meat and skin this time) and a special mention has to be made for the "plum sauce" . The wine was excellent, would have enjoyed another...and this was the first time I drank tea with a meal and I just loved it.

Some of the dishes  were a little fade, including the Deep Fried Cod and the Crispy Bean curd Rolls and the seasoned celery with dried shrimps and fired garlic which lacked garlic and taste.
Our waiter was amazing though, really professional and main some great suggestions that improved the overall experience greatly.

I would go back again, however not with colleagues, but with my family, and we'd go with the set lunch menu.


*Even in a one star restaurant you can ask to take your left-overs home...I wouldn't, and I didn't, but my boss did.

Company Christmas Lunch in Paris Shang Palace

Today I'm eating out with my boss and colleagues at the Shang Palace in Paris.
This restaurant looks great and it has just been awarded a Michelin star this year.
I'm looking forward to the experience.   I'll try and take a couple of photos.

Sunday in Paris

 On a very cold yet beautiful Sunday, we all bundled ourselves in the car and thirty minutes later ended up here.  Yes, Sunday we played at being tourists, and boy, there were huge amounts of people who were waiting to visit the Eiffel Tower.  Luckily for us, we had bought and printed our tickets in advance, so no waiting

Before reaching the Tower we had  to dodge the many joggers that were out in force despite the near freezing conditions.  What a place to jog, personally I wouldn't like to, but I can see the attraction

After visiting the second floor, we managed to get the children to agree to go to the top, I never took any photos though, too cold.  Back down on the second floor somehow we found ourselves in a tourist trap souvenir store, 2 bracelets, 1 pencil, 1 pen, 1 keyring, 1 giant chocolate euro and a packet of Eiffel tower shaped sweets later, we left, hopped in the car and came back home to a piping hot Chili Choc Carni (Nigella Lawson recipe) made by Alain, and it was delicious.

The Interview, stress, apprehension and more

Finding a job, I've been toying with the idea for sometime, now the children are bigger and  we only have two bathrooms to re-do and a small barn  conversion too, needing professional help, hence nothing started yet!
Anyhow, there I am, not as young any more and thinking if I want to get a job that I'd actually like, I better get looking now.   

Two weeks ago, I revised CV, and started looking on the internet, using key words like, "anglais langue maternelle" or "assistant (bilingue) anglais"  et cetera, and I was pleasantly surprised to see there were lots possible positions that appealed, knowing though, that I lack(ed) experience in an office environment after so long bringing up my our children, working and teaching English, running workshops with teachers, book clubs with friends, translation work for several people, my comfort zone..until now.
I've sent four CV's off and so far have, have been lucky, because out of the four companies I have applied to work for, one company is reviewing my application after being shortlisted by the recruitment firm, the second company called me on Friday and I have an interview Thursday in Paris and third, the last one I sent my resumé off to, they actually called me the same day to schedule a interview (been in a state of panic ever since).   
Now post interview, yes, Friday last, at two, I was sitting in a small office with a view of the river Seine (if I'd have dared to get up and look) trying not to come across as stressed as I actually felt, talking with a really nice and very young (compared to me) guy, who really made me feel quite myself.  He told me about the business (I'd already Googled it but still I listened...I really had done my work well though), the post, then asked me to talk about myself (on both a professional and personal level)...yikes...knew it was going to be my turn soon, and I really didn't want to speak too fast (I do that a lot) and certainly try not to make any mistake in French and the same time (tough considering the situation).  I had no idea how it went, not a inkling of an idea what he was  thinking at the time and the ordeal still wasn't over, Mr young and nice went to get me a coffee, nice thought,  and find the general manager,  ok I remained calm  for the first couple of minutes alone, but as the minutes ticked by, all I thought about was my impending failure (confidence zero).
Mr GM came, looking younger than the photos I'd found of him while googling, but I knew he was just a little younger that I, and I really liked him.  We conversed in English (he doesn't speak French yet) and all seemed to be going well, until I had a mental block and was able to answer a really simple question (been kicking myself since, so dumb). This happened towards the end of the interview and was told they'd had some excellent candidates and they would be making a decision next week, which is this week now, because it's Monday.

All weekend I've been over analysing what I could have done better, too numerous to count, I know.  Wondering would they call to tell me I hadn't got the job?  That would be just awful.  
I've managed to get though the day without thinking 100% of the time about it, crazy I know, me a grown woman, five children, getting into a state over this.
Today I have had my phone on me all the time, I have received six text messages and not one call, well, not tell five this afternoon. I'd left my mobile in my room and was doing homework with MK when the home phone rang, I got to the phone and saw it was "the" number and just couldn't bring myself to pick up the phone (immature to boot).  Then I went to find my phone, same number had tried to contact me there too....missed called and VOICE mail.   Have I listened to it?  Hell no, the children want to, but I'll wait till Alain gets home, it could be good news but something tells me to be apprehensive, so just another couple of hours to wait.  Update, for better or worse later.
Update:  listened and they want me to call them back! Good sign maybe...I'll call after nine, finger crossed.

Lunch at Septime

Six long weeks ago, Alain booked us a table at Septime, and finally we went for lunch there this Tuesday.
I'm not the type of person to take photos of what I eat and here's no exception, sorry, you've just got a view above of the open kitchen, where the food is cooked and plates dressed, I've never seen as many cooks and assistants working so well in such a small area.
You can eat a three course lunch menu here for just 24 euros (or was it 26?) or you can choose the 5 course carte blanche, which is what we went and my gosh, we were so happy we did. To begin with we ate white asparagus with lardo di colonnata, to sum it up in one word, I'd say divine.
Next was a an poached egg cooked at 63°c and a mushroom bouillon, yummy.
Third up, a perfectly cooked hake but I not so amazing (too powerful) écume. 
Fourth, it was lamb, three ways, I wouldn't dare to describe it here, it was just heavenly.
And finally, we had HAY ice-cream...glace au foin....with rhubarb. Very subtile and surprisingly good, great to finish with.
Super restaurant, amazing food, vegetables cooked to perfection.   A bit noisy if you want a romantic place to eat, better go to Astrance, otherwise these two restaurants, when it comes to taste, are just awesome.

La dame de Pique and Musée international d'art naïf

Our thermometer's reading this morning was -9°c and with the wind it was more like -15°c...apart from taking Marie Kate to school I haven't set foot outside, even now with the sun shining it's a freezing cold -7°c.  Marie Kate went to school well wrapped up ready for here school outing to Vicq and the International museum of Naïve Art. She's been so excited about it, they are going to do lots of workshops and eat a picnic.....just hope that they ate somewhere warm inside in weather like this.
 

We booked to go to the opera is Paris tomorrow, reserved ages ago, so we are just going to put on our winter woollies and brave the cold. This will be our view point from where we will be seated (I like the national Opera website), can't wait.

Astrance, amazing restaurant in Paris

Last Thursday, Alain and I got to eat at Astrance.  The table was booked in October, we had intended on eating there for our anniversary, but the restaurant was booked up for lunch until December, so instead we ate at the cinq, and although the meal was good, I think it's reputation is  way over hyped.

This was going to be our last shot in a starred restaurant, mainly because of our experience at the Cinq, but after eating at the Astrance, we've been blown away by the food, the service and the incredibly relaxed atmosphere that we're going back in February (booked till then) and I just can't wait.

As soon as I figure out how to transfer the photos on my phone to my computer, I'll put some photos on the blog of what we ate, however the food was so amazing, there aren't many, I just didn't want to spoil the experience by taking photos of every course, amuse bouche et cetera.

To be updated soon

Lunch for Marie Kate who isn't hard to please..most of the time

Marie-Kate comes home for lunch on Monday's and Tuesday's and she tells me in advance what she'd like to eat, and usually I try to comply, and luckily today I had to go shopping.  She asked for vegetables and fish....mmm ok. I don't often look at food blogs, well not since moving here, but that's changed as of today. I found sites I loved again, like Smitten Kitchen, Joy the Baker et cetera. 

 Well getting an idea from Smitten Kitchen, Marie- Kate and I ate roasted aubergine(MK's was topped with some mozzarella too) with a tomato, onion and caper salsa and some tempura 
coated cod (from Brittany).

.

Did she like it? Well she ate it all up and said it was yummy but her favourite bit was the tomato salsa.

Even though I cooked it and I critic my cooking a lot, I have to admit that this lunch was good, the aubergine, meaty and the salsa great, and I'm crazy for fish.

Tomorrow, she's back home for another 2 hours lunch break, and this time I'm going to get her to prepare the topping for two home-made pizzas, that should be fun:)

As for tonight, we'll be eating this, but I doubt mine will look anything like it.

But before that, my children will be eating Double Dipped Apple Doughnuts that I found on Joy the Baker

You see what happens when you eat at Verjus, you just want to cook, cook cook....

Chateau de Versailles

After living in the suburbs of Paris for just over a year and only 20 minutes from Versailles, we thought it was high time to visit the Chateau.

Despite arriving early, the place was heaving with people, but it was a beautiful morning and the queue was still reasonable and we had printed out our tickets at home (getting organized). The good thing about the chateau de Versailles is that it's free for under 18's,  so all of our children could visit and it would (and did) only cost 36 euros (18 each for Alain and I). However, getting a 15 and 17 year out of bed was am impossible feat, so we went with just three out of five children.  

The children really enjoyed the visit, and Alexis proved to be quite an expert on everything "Versailles" under the reign of Louis XIV, perhaps having played and finished his two cd roms on the subject (Enquetes à Versailles), which I highly recommend.

 Towards the end of the visit, the children were feeling in need of something sugary and they found the answers to their prays in the form of these delicious cakes, oh and boy, the chocolate ones were to die for and worth every centime (6.50 each). 

We had planned on visiting the gardens afterwards and eat out picnic, but the rain put an end to that and we ate our home-made chicken wraps with avocado in the car while queuing to leave.  
Still we had a great day and plan to visit again, next year in the spring.

Hubby Back and Montmartre

He's back and I'm so happy...he arrived Thursday morning and he took me to Paris.. We planned on eating in a Japanese restaurant, but it was closed (only open in the evenings) so

before walking up to visit the Sacre Coeur

We ate here. A new restaurant, that was really a great place to eat and not expensive to boot.

 This was the view of Paris when we left the Sacre Coeur, a bit cloudy, lots of tourists, but great view.

Oh yes, behind Alain (on the first photo), you can see tents that had been erected, they were for the la fêtes des vendanges, that was due to start the next day:(

Cité des Sciences...unplugged Sunday

We did manage a whole day without connecting to internet, instead we visited the Cité des Sciences in Paris. It was cheaper for us to buy a year pass for the 7 of us (72 euros) that allows you to visit as much as you like, the Palais de la Découverte during the year too, so great value.

Charlotte having a conversation with Mona Lisa

Ok, it's not like a long hike going here, but it's a start, right? And this weekend coming we are going hiking, with the children...(15 kilometers, but they don't know that, yet..)

We have to unplug more often, especially since even Alain has become hooked on his new Apple friend, too.

Home Alone

For the first time in over a decade, we are home alone. Unbelievable, no?

Oliver is visiting the west coast of the US (Los Angeles, San Fransicso, Yosemite National Park......et cetera

Charlotte is having a whale of a time in Corsica, and next week Sardinia. She on holiday with at least 15 boys and only 3 girls, what a group.

Gabrielle is down in the south of France, staying in Cassis and only a 20 minute drive away from our old home in Sanary

And finally Alexis and Marie-Kate are with their grand-parents in Brittany.

While we've been at home alone. We did plan on a hiking holiday, but the weather has been capricious, so we took a raincheck on that one, and instead haven't done much at all, which has been wonderful.

We have managed to eat out once, despite the pouring rain in Paris at a good bistro called Le Vin de Soif.

And visit the Rodin Museum which wad just fantastic.

We bought few books, including this one

and have been cooking and eating recipes from it

This split pea and ham soup was just so good

and some cheese souffles, yummy

and an onion tart before going into the oven. Unfortunately, it got a little burnt, but was still good

And yesterday, we went to Ikea and bought a couple of things, including these spice pots and metal board. No more bending down now.

Yesterday I started painting oliver's room (he didn't like the colour I chose...before I discovered F &B, and I agree with him) So I am doing the room in Charlotte's Locks and white tie, but have been stalled as I have run out of the latter. So I'll carry on with that next week sometime, because we have far more interesting things to do this weekend.

Day Off

Painting in progress in our bedroom.

95% of wallpaper stripped off entire stairs and landing (yippee)

Many batches of biscuits baked and eaten

Homemade pizzas back on menu

Yummy blanquette de veau à la vanille eaten last night (family favourite)

Board games played and lost, even grumpy teenager Oliver joined in, and played a couple of games of Twister...

After all that, I think it's time for one day off, and where better to go than Paris, to see this

Messerschmidt exposition at the Louvre before it ends.

And before, find somewhere to eat, and afterwards it will be time to shop for pre teenager and grumpy teenager while the two little ones moan and groan.