Luxeat

L'Ambroisie (Bernard Pacaud)

The three Michelin stars L'Ambroisie (9,pl des Vosges 75004, tel. 01 42 78 51 45) has probably the most beautiful and the most romantic location of all the Parisian "grandes tables". When you arrive in place des Vosges and enter the restaurant you feel like travelling back in  the times of 'Le Roi-Soleil". Lavish, rich interior with old parquet floor, dramatic paintings and enormous chandeliers...  Nothing modern, but it fits very well to the royal spirit of place des Vosges.

I have never been in L'Ambroisie before , but have always had it in my wish list.  Three Michelin stars and so many praisings... The place just had to exceptional... In a certain way, my dinner was exceptional.... I have experienced the French gastronomic cuisine how it was twenty years ago. Bernard Pacaud's cooking seems to be  " sealed in time" - bourgeois, classic, not trying to surprise.Probably even more classic than Paul Bocuse  cooking.

In the images .

The amuse bouche of lobster ravioli. Correct and very classic mariage of tastes. What i found out later- the best what i had during that dinner.

"Soft boiled eggs, aspargus, watercress "sabayon" and osciètre caviar" . The appetizer of my friend. Very good, but very generous for a starter.

Eating in Munich

Munich is a beautiful and a vibrant city. Too bad, i spent there only one day this week and didn't really have a chance to explore the restaurants scene. So for the lunch i thought i should compensate my short stay and have something very German. And what can be more German than Frankfurt sausages with "kartoffelsalat" and mustard? I don't remember the outside café's name, but the service was very pleasant and the overall price of the dish was only 5 euros. A  cheap eat and very good actually...  (In the images: a snapshot of the  17 meters high "Walking Man" sculpture; the Frankfurt sausages)

The Sketch Gallery

My second night restaurant in London was much more rewarding than Benares. Just the name of  Pierre Gagnaire makes all more exciting. I've been in The Sketch Gallery few years ago, but at that time i didn't appreciate it like i did last week. What i realized  now is that the French superstar chef  opened his "democratic and cheaper » version in London years before than in Paris.(Gaya in Paris was launched only last year). Is it because the Parisians are more averse to novelties? (The Nobu example).

Benares,London

Last week I had a brief stay in the British capital and although the weather was not that nice as during my last trip, my dining experiences were not less exciting. The first night I went out to one Michelin star Indian restaurant Benares . Unfortunately, the dishes on the menu sounded much more impressive than they tasted and looked on the plate. Also, even if the place was beautiful, it was too dark for my amateurish food pictures...  (Since I’ve started writing this blog I became much more pragmatic about  my dining choices. Every time I go out I face a dilemma, will there be enough light for my food pictures? Well, this time there was no. Good light is an enemy of fashionable places :))

Kai,Paris

As I've said in my Kinugawa  post, Paris is not really famous for authentic sushi and Japanese restaurants. There is really a few...  Two Kinugawa locations, Isami, Benkay... That would be all... Moreover, they all are very old fashioned...  Not speaking about fusion Japanese restaurants like Nobu, which was closed few years ago before even getting known... ( It was in the 8th and it seems that it didn't work.)

Kai (18,rue du Louvre,tel. 01 40 15 01 99) is like a breeze among the stagnating Parisian Japanese eateries. Creative Japanese cuisine, fresh fish,contemporary interior- a real "awakening" . I hope that there will be even more modern Japanese cooking in Paris any time soon. Like this, i won't need to go to New York that often :) By the way, the desserts are made by Pierre Hermé. My weakness!

The pictures of the last night dinner.

"Salmon and yellowtail sushi" . Excellent. Salmon sushi was topped with nuts.

Fauchon boulangerie

The new Fauchon boulangerie is my new favorite boulangerie in Paris. Its long time I've been waiting for  a place that doesn't limit itself with  "jambon- beurre" sandwiches  and boring  "tarte aux fraises" cakes.  And Fauchon has done it... Recently they  have  opened  a contemporary boulangerie ( on the ground floor of their location in place de la Madeleine) that  sells the most delicious and fresh  salads, sandwiches, soups and cakes...

 

Nedalny Vostok,Moscow

My last dinner in Moscow was by far the best from all the trip. Nedalny Vostok (Tverskoy Bulvar 15 , tel. 694-0641) ,that means "Not Far East" , opened its doors only few months ago and it is already the hottest place among the Russian "elite". You won't find it nor in Zagat Moscow guide, neither in any other. (I have a  subscribtion to the online Zagat edition and for the moment they have listed only 12 Moscow restaurants.)

Pushkin Café

Pushkin Café (Tverskoy bulvar 26a, tel. 495-229-5590) is kind of an institution in Moscow loved by the Russians and the westerners. The pre-revolutionary style restaurant serves traditional Russian cuisine that is over-priced for what it is but very good. Even though bourgeois interior is totally artificial, the place is a must if you want at least to imagine the  real Russian spirit.Pushkin café is opened 24 hours and the service is extremely courteous.

The unctuous pasta at Mario, Moscow

Some guides say that Mario (Klimashkina ulitsa 17, tel. 495-253-6505) is the best restaurant in Moscow. I don't know if it is the best, but the home made taglioni with fresh truffles and cream sauce is as good as in Italy.
Be prepared to open your wallet though... In fact, like in any Moscow's top restaurant, the cost of a dinner can easily reach a price of a 3 Michelin stars restaurant in Paris...

The pasta is "mixed" in a creamy sauce that is poured  in a wheel of  Pecorino Romano cheese.Like this , the pasta is very creamy and flavorous...

Vogue Café,Moscow

In the beginning i thought i should make one big post about my Moscow trip. But this city is so lavish (and paradoxal at the same time)   that I'd rather post about each place  separately.

Vogue Café ( Kuznetsky most ulitsa 7/9 , tel. 495-623-1701) is THE place to be.Its location can't be more central: just steps from Bolshoi Theater and not far from the Red Square. Despite of the fact, that there are new restaurants openings every month (if not weeks!) in Moscow,  through years,Vogue Café has managed to maintain its reputation of one of the most chic places in the Russian capital. Fresh and delicious food, nice service.