Paris

Paris-
Day 1- took the Eurostar train to Paris. The language barrier was apparent as soon as we stepped off the train but non-the less found our way by metro to the hotel. Tiny little place. Charming and very European (aka, anyone that is not under 6 foot and 200 lbs would have a hard time in the elevator, shower or bed). We immediately went to the Eiffel Tower to see it at night. The sight is truly spectacular and takes your breath away witnessed in person. We stood underneath as the lights started to sparkle and hardly noticed the rain thanks to this beauty of a beast above. Truly romantic. That night we stumbled upon a brasserie near our hotel and sat in a quiet room upstairs. Funny reading the menu. I knew only a small amount of French so Nate would read a word and I would look that particular one up. Needless to say it took some time to read the whole menu. Lots of wine, some heavenly fois gras, rabbit, lamb and crème brulee finished our night off a few hours later.

Day 2- woke up and went to the patisserie across the street that is raved about. Unbelievable croissants and pain ou chocolate. Headed to the Louvre. I’m not much of a museum person but the Louvre was beyond gorgeous. The buildings alone could have been the art. Saw the requisite Venus de Milo and shoved our way through a crowd to see Mona Lisa. Something that we can now check off of our “things to do before we die” list. Walked down the Champs Elysee and stopped in a bistro for wine, cheese and a steak for lunch. This night we celebrated New Years Eve at the Swan Bar. There was a party that was hosted by this guy Jim who has a dinner party for 80 with people from all over the world each Sunday. It happened to be held a bar this night. We had dinner and there was a jazz band and lots of wine and champagne. The best part was that we met some great people who have now become friends from ever part of the globe.

Day 3- the first day of 2007 that I know will be our best year yet. Not much of a better place to wake up than Paris. Started out at the Arch de Triomphe. Walked along the Seine and to the Notre Dame. What a stunning place. I always wish that I were Catholic so I could get in to one of those little confessional booths. That evening we decided to explore Bercy Village, a place where that once consisted of wine cellars but is now a place with lots of little restaurants and shops. Had a bottle of wine at a small place and went to Tea for Two by the waiter’s recommendation. Sounds like a teashop that my grandma would like but we found it to be this trendy spot with only candlelight, sheer curtains and suede furniture. A very cool place. The waiter was spot on with the food. Veal, salmon sashimi, beef pasta and maybe the greatest piece of chocolate cake that I had in my life. Meg Ryan at Katz worthy. A few hours later we headed back in the pouring rain and decided to stay another day in Paris.

Day 4- our last day. We booked a last minute train to Amsterdam for a sweet deal and made our way to see the Eiffel Tower in the day. Again, magnificent. Walked down Commerce street and then to Lafayette and had lunch in a tiny little crepery and drank hot chocolate. Went to the old opera house and then Prentemps, as I had not shopped yet. Bought a funky dress and lacy top that I can hardly wait to wear this spring. We had dinner and one of our best meals at a place also near the hotel. Started with pork butter and bread, a bottle of wine. Then escargot and fois gras. On to duck leg and rack of lamb. Another bottle of wine. Finally crepe flambé, prefoterioles and another half bottle. On to bed….

Paris is a great city. The buildings and architecture are so phenomenally beautiful and intricate. I think that our favorite part was the food and rather than going out, spending hours over a long dinner with great food and wine.