Sunday, October 29, 2006

Arcachon

During my student break, I went back Home to chill out and rest from my crazy Vie de Chateau here in Fonty. These 4 days and good nights sleep rejuvinate me more than what I anticipated, and give me a boost for the next schooling period. But what I wanted to blog on is what I did over there, during the stay. The family decided to go eat a gauffre in Arcachon.

When I think of Arcachon, I usually think of very sunny days, algues smell, swims in the bay, dives from the peers, late family dinners, or long lunch in my granmother house back then, walks in the forest, and silly plays with my cousins. Going to Arcachon is going back to my chillhood and opening the magic memories box, unpack them and measure the distance made since then.




Arcachon change so much in 10 years, that seeing it made me think of beeing in another city but not the one I knew. The last picture that was close to my memories was the walk to the above Jetée d'Eyrac.



All the rest changed, the sea-front, the Jetée Thier, shops, people around. This place lift up from working-class type to Bobo crowd.



But even though people change, they still doing the same thing they used to do a long time ago in my memories.




Walking along the beach, reading books on the Jetées and kissing on benches.



And finally try to eat chocolat-chantilly gauffre at the near by shop.
Mine was big and doubled chantillied, thanks to my sister who ask behind my back to doubled it, (she was video taped making the deal with the chantilly girl). I loved my gauffre but could not finished it, maybe next time.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Where do I dance/drink in Bordeaux ?

This is pretty tuff to do a list of where to go around since it keeps changing all the time, but let me try anyway.

Bordeaux as a southern city, likes to have her partying done half in the street half inside.

On Thursday night better to go to Place de La Victoire where all students come and have a drink before going back home for the weekend. No point of listing all the bars around the place, but make sure you do all of them.

Saint Pierre is also a good spot to go around, where Calle Ocho and other Casa Latina are safe bet. The tricky thing will be to survive in theses places where you will calliente inside and outside. For more info on the Latinos parties in Bordeaux.

L'Absolute Loungue (14 Rue de la Devise - Bordeaux Phone: 05-56-48-80-00) is a cool jazz-electro bar to sit and drink all night.

Saint Mich' (or Saint Michel) is more working class / authentic, and you will be able to drink a minth tea and listening to Rai on the main place. Dont eat there or run fast.

On the Quai, you can find other places to party shake your butt or drink your ass. H36 was a nice and rich place to go if you are around. Not sure you should cross the country to be there, but you never know, you could be lucky and have some fun there.

The last place is a no-recommendation, but is listed everywhere in guides and books. Quai de Paludade is a new area where young peop' go to check out and check it out. A bit risky if you go alone and want to find a friend.

The list can go on and on for ever, and could be change on daily basis.
I will not do it, and let you discover the new hot trendy place in Bordeaux by yourself.
Is it not the best thing to do in a city by the way ?

Monday, October 23, 2006

What do I eat in Bordeaux with my wine?

Thinking that What to drink in Bordeaux is not a very relevant question I am putting together a list of places to visit as often as possible. Since I still have some acquaintance there, here is a good list of place to spend some time behind a chunk of wood with a fork in one hand and a piece of bread at a knife through of your fingers.

Stomach ready?
Go!


Bordeaux

  • L'entrecote : 4 cours de 30 juillet . Bordeaux 05 56 81 76 10,
    €16 / person, classic steak house in bordeaux close to Grand Theatre. Actually this is probably your best bet when you want eat late at night. No reservation, just line up in the staircase.
  • La Tupina : 6 rue porte de la monnaie. Bordeaux 05 56 91 56 37
    A classic restaurant, and well respected.
    The duck boudin is a thick, wide disc of dark meat rich with pungent gamey flavours that floats above the well-dressed salad with apple slices it sits on. The texture is dense, as if the maker had originally made a boudin twice this size and then compressed it. The apple cuts sharply to alleviate the richness. It’s a hefty starter, but more is to come.
  • Le Toscane : 6 rue du cancéra . bordeaux 05 56 01 12 18
    This is my Mum secret place in Bordeaux. Quite Expensive, but one of the best Italian restaurant on the planet.
  • Dubern. 44 allées de ourny . Bordeaux 05 56 79 07 70
    This is an institution in Bordeaux, everyine knows Phillippe Dudern. Usually if you want to have a bourgeois wedding
  • Le Café Maritime. Quai armand lalande - Bordeaux 05 57 10 20 40
    Very Hip restaurant, world nouvelle cuisine + gastronomy cuisineThai- Indonesian Cuisine. Very select and fine cuisineIn the old vineyards warehouse on the piers.
  • La Dame de Shangaï. 1 quai armand lalande bdx 05 57 10 20 50
    Chinese Jonque transformed into a restaurant. Mixed between French food and Asian food.
  • L'Arene Catherine. 34 rue Sainte-Colombe - Bordeaux 05.56.44.76.08
    Simple Bistro, where you can eat as well as see, or been seen.
  • Le Jardin des Gatronomes. 1 place Saint Pierre - Bordeaux 05.57.85.90.35
    Bistro bar, with a unique menu, basic but classic.
  • Le Comptoir du Jazz. 58 quai de Paludate - Bordeaux 05.56.49.15.55
    This is a place in where you can eat well for a reasonable price while listening to some Jazz music. This is the Jazz reference place in Bordeaux and should not be missed while in town if you like this kind of music.
  • Some more Bordelais Restaurant.

Quinsac

  • Hostellerie Le Robinson. On the Garonne river, 15 minutes away from Bordeaux. Just the place is worse going there.I wont talk about the food.


Bègles

  • Le Chiopot. 281 rue des quatre castéra - 33130 bègles - Tel 05 56 85 62 41
    One of the oldest institution in Bordeaux (Begles is close to Bordeaux)
    At Le Chiopot, chef Jean-Claude Coutenuit is known for his way with beef dishes, though many other excellent options are available as well. Try the bordelaise entrecote steak, which you can view grilling in the massive fireplace, or the house specialty, a salad of tricandilles with a zesty garlic and ginger dressing. Traditional fish dishes are also recommended, including salmon, cod, and escargot. Elegant, upscale atmosphere and helpful service.

Bouliac

  • Le Saint James - 3 place camille hostein 33270 bouliac Tel 05 57 97 06 00
    Do I have to present the most welknowed Relais and Chateaux in Bordeaux


Saint Emilion

  • Palais Cardinal *** (3 stars) place du 11 novembre 33330 st emilion 05 57 24 72 39
    Gastronomic restaurant, on top of the hill with a beautiful view overlooking vineyards.Very select !
  • Hôtel du chateau grand barrail . Route de libourne 33330 st emilion
    Grand Barrail Château Resort & Spa A haven of refinement and relaxation in the middle of the vineyards! Excellent concept Wine & Spa


Margaux

  • Le pavillon de margaux.
    3 rue g. mandel 33460 margaux 05 57 88 77 54
    Gastronomic Restaurant, Bistro menu at lunch time with view overlooking vineyards


This is my list and reflect my opinion and should be debated on regular basis with myself. I will more than happy to change and update my list based on people input, if I am invited of (main) course.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Paris again

Paris by Day


Picture taken in Palais Royal by Lin.


























Palais Royal







I love being a tourist in Paris, because it helps me to take some distance from the crazy, insane Paris and I start appreciate her for what she is worth.

The lady Paris is beautiful.


Every city is to me a person, and Paris is this beautiful independant woman mid-30s who knows what life is. She has been in love and she has been dumped as weel.

She knows it all!

When you look at her she makes you feel too young, and you probably say M'dam when she ask you a question.


Of course when you answer back to her, she start laughting and make fun at you. But you don't really care beacuse she is beautiful, and you hope that one day you will be able to know half of what she does.


Picture taken in Palais Royal by Lin.

Then later on you know her more and more, and you see her everyday, and you start not remembering that she is so beautiful and special to you.


So you don't want to see her anymore and you want to leave her.


You tell her one day at a terrasse and you leave her there, alone, with her glass of wine in a rainy day.


She does not care because she is Paris and she will have plenty of other opportunities and she will go for the next one.

Many years later you come back to her and you see her.


She is still beautiful and pretty. She makes fun of you and you still can't say a word. She makes you feel too young again.

She is in love but with someone else.

C'est la Vie!

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Mont Saint Michel Pictures

During the Mont Saint Mickael trip few camera-holder-lover were also part of the trip. Have a click when time at Angelito, and Lin shoots about the Mickael Hill in the middle of the bay, worth the time to chill out.

Please turn off your cellphone or pager, and enjoy the show.