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France, French Food, Paris

Café Constant , Paris

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Walking down rue Saint-Dominique from the Eiffel Tower the  first of the three Christian Constant restaurants you reach is Cafe Constant. This is a local cafe were you may find Christian himself (see photo) dining. The specials change daily and come to you on the good old fashion black board. This is one of my regular stops in Paris because it is open all day. They have several different menus according to the time of day. I really can say that I’ve never had a meal I did not like here!

High Quality ingredients, prepared to perfection and reasonable prices!!

 

 

Café Constant
139, rue Saint-Dominique
75007 Paris
FRANCE
Tél.: 01 47 53 73 34
contact@cafeconstant.com

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Uncategorized, Washington DC

Bobby’s Burger Palace, Washington DC

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I checked out Bobby Flay’s (grill-boy as Ari of Entourage calls him) new venture in the burger joint frenzy. I grabbed my camera and walked a mile or so on a great day in DC. Once I arrived at Bobby’s, I viewed the menu on the wall and ordered several items including a milkshake which I don’t have very often. You order, pay, sit and wait for your food to arrive.

The shake arrived first, disappointing there was an option for “REAL” whip cream however no option for a “Real” shake.  It was basically flavorless and tasted one step below a McD’s mix shake.  The burger arrived with the fries next. The burger was good but nothing I’d go running back for.  The fries were not worth eating, in fact, I stopped at FIVE GUYS for some very good fries to fill that square on the way back to the hotel.  My recommendation would be take the Bobby’s Burger to go and get some fries at FIVE GUYS for a good meal.

Bobby’s Located around the Northeast

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France, French Food, Paris

Le Reminet, Paris

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Lori found this wonderful place a few years ago. Unfortunately it got lost in the backlog of photos to be blogged. The food was wonderful and its great for a romantic evening.  The presentations and food were executed with the French flair you’d expect at a high end establishment yet Le Reminet was very reasonably priced…..It’s on the list for a blog update!

Le Reminet, Paris
Cuisine:Inventive Cuisine
Address:3 rue des grands degres,
75005 Paris (See map)
Telephone:01 44 07 04 24
Metro:Maubert-Mutualité

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Edinburgh Scotland

Ondine Restaurant, Edinburgh

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Located just a few steps off the Royal Mile this seafood-er serves only the finest fresh local catch.  It’s elegant modern interior is as stylish as the food presentations.  The oysters are amazing served with a Wild Boar sausage on the side.  The daily lunch and prix-theater specials are a good value. All of the fish is cooked to perfection and served with attention to detail.  The Carmel Sundae for dessert should not be passed up!

Ondine Restaurant

2 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1AD

Telephone/Reservations: 0131 226 1888

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Italian, Italy, Tuscan

Osteria dell’Olmo, Perugia, Italy

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We received a recommendation from a friend of a friend that has sent a lot of time in Perugia. We called our Italian friends and asked them to join us for dinner. I set the GPS in the rental car and off we went. After the usual amount of animated conversation and circling we arrived. We were pleasantly surprised by a charming exterior and really impressed by the romantic setting inside. It was love at first sight for me and first bite for Lori. All of the dishes were expertly prepared and presented in a modern yet approachable manner, very fitting for the location. All of the pasta dishes were homemade and superb. The eggplant starter was amazing!! The local fish was pristine and melted like butter in your mouth. The Tuscan white pork was almost as good as sex.

All around an excellent dinner at a very reasonable cost. We all agreed that is was definitely a fine recommendation.

Osteria dell’Olmo, Perugia, Italy

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Paris, restaurant

L’Avent Comptoir, Paris

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Is a small standing room only wine bar that serves outstanding French hors d’oeuvres and crepes. WARNING: if you are interested in eating something healthy don’t come here! It’s one of my favorites!

They serve the most delicious grilled pork fat(lard) that I have eaten and the beef carpaccio is excellent . The menu hangs from the ceiling with pictures for those that don’t speak French. This is a great place to hang out relax and enjoy several small plates of food. It’s great for a” light” LOL and inexpensive lunch.

 

9 Carrefour de l’Odéon, 75006 Paris, France

+33 1 44 27 07 97‎ · hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain.com
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Paris, restaurant

Le Comptoir, Paris

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Le Comptior is situated on a very busy corner in the Latin Quarter idea for dining outside when weather permits and enjoying the favorite Paris pastime of people watching. Inside the bistro is small and attractive. The food however is excellent!! I suggest if you want to avoid waiting for a table you arrive for an early lunch about 1130am and wait in line until they open. There is always a line ever since Anthony Bourdain featured the place it has been very popular with tourists from around the world. Do not fear, they have not become a tourist trap!!  I stared with a Squid sauteed with sweet onions and a balsamic reduction which was absolutely fantastic. The main was a simple roast beef cooked rare and so tender I  cut it with a fork.  The mashed potatoes were velvety smooth loaded with that wonderful French butter. The desert was a nice waffle accompanied by some fruit compote. I might suggest a crepe for desert next door at L’Avent Comptior. I will discuss that in detail in another post.

I can’t wait to return and try some more of the extensive menu!!!

9 Carrefour de l’Odéon, 75006 Paris, France

+33 1 44 27 07 97‎ · hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain.com
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France, French Food, Paris, restaurant

La Crêperie de Josselin Crêperie

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This is a long time favorite of ours. Josselin features a huge assortment of Brittan style crepes. My favorites are the bacon, egg, spinach and cream cheese and the Martinique which comes out Flambe. Upon arrival you will get in line there is almost always a line. It moves very fast so don’t worry! When called you will be shoe horned into the smallest table and seating area you have seen. This seems to just add to the ambiance and charm of the place. I ordered the the bacon, egg, spinach and  cream cheese first. I was a little reluctant to order the Martinique for desert fearing they might consider me an American pig however when the Frenchman who had the same crepe as I, ordered another for desert, I felt at ease and ordered mine.  These Crepes are amazing and I place this on a “MUST VISIT” list if you go to Paris. For those of you on a tight budget this is your dream come true!!

 

La Crêperie de Josselin

67 Rue du Montparnasse, Paris, France+33 1 43 20 93 50

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France, French Food, Paris, restaurant

Le Petit Troquet, Paris France

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A very small and romantic bistro off the beaten path Le Petit Troquet.

The most difficult part of the evening will be finding it. Rue Expostion is a small alleyway off the Rue Saint-Dominique adjacent to Les Fables de La Fontaine. Rue Saint-Dominque is the home of Christian Constant’s empire.. Upon arrival you will be greeted by the Chef/Owner’s girlfriend that is the manager and server in the dining room. The ownership has changed this year and if you have been there in the past you may be pleasantly surprised by the new owner. The menu changes daily and has something to please everyone. The food is prepared with a french flair including quality ingredients. I enjoyed the scallops that where seared to perfection. Save room for desert they are all made in the house. I would not recommend the place for children or large parties. This is great for date night or perhaps two couples.

 

 

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Japan, Japanese Food, Washington DC

Sushi Taro, Washington DC

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I’ve been a Sushi fan for many years and have eaten it all over the world including Japan. Sushi Taro is on par with the finest!! There are very few Sushi places in the US on this level. Most places in NYC are not even close to the quality of the product that Sushi Taro serves. Let’s speak a minute about WASABI most people in the US have never had Wasabi, they have eaten a green clay like substance that most Japanese restaurants call wasabi but it is not!!  Taro serves real wasabi and thats just one of the reasons it is so far beyond the rest of the pack. I have been to Taro a few times besides the sushi, I recommend the 10 hour cooked pork belly and the house red bean made ice cream.

Expensive YES worth it Without Question!

1503 17th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20036

(202) 328-3756

 

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France, French Food, Paris, Uncategorized

Les Cocottes, Paris, France

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This is another great establishment owned by Chef Christian Constant. Les Cocottes is the french equivalent of eating at a causal diner. Seating is either at the counter or at counter height communal tables. There are very nice daily specials as well as the standard menu both are reasonably priced. I have returned to Les Cocottes several times some of the dishes that I enjoyed the most were: Arugula salad with bacon and a poached egg drizzled with balsamic sauce, Lamb parts and potatoes stuffed with pigs feet are both great choices for the main. DO NOT PASS on the Waffle with caramel for desert!!

I’m getting hungry just thinking about this place !!!

 

Les Cocottes
135, rue Saint-Dominique, 7th

The restaurant Les Cocottes is open
every day from noon till 3:00pm
and 7:00-10:30pm

http://www.maisonconstant.com/eng_cocottes.htm

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Gelato, Italian, Italy

Pluripremiata Gelato “World Champs”, San Gimignano, Italy

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In the heart of San Gimignano lies this wonderful Gelato shop, it’s the one with the line in front of it. WAIT do not go to the other shops without a line!!

This is homemade Gelato that is truly “World Class”. It’s not the best Gelato I’ve eaten but very close.

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Emilia–Romagna, Italian, Italy, Uncategorized

Cum Quibus, San Gimignano, Italy

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Probably the finest traditional Tuscan meal we’ve eaten.

We walked into a packed restaurant without a confirmed reservation. There was one table for two or deuce for those in the business available. We were told that it was previously reserved however they have not arrived yet,  they were 20 minutes late. I started a conversation with the restaurant staff and convinced them to give us the table.
BTW: they never showed however there was a never ending stream of walk-ins turned away.

Primi:  The most delicious poppardelle with a wild boar ragu imaginable. The wild boar was so soft it melted like butter in my mouth. The tagliolini with white truffle was excellent with a very delicate flavor of truffle.

Secondi: I decided to try the Tripe stuffed with sausage. Tripe has a bad rap at times of being rubbery. This tripe however was anything but it cut with a fork and melted like butter. In fact I even applied the tripe like butter to the bread.
Lori had the Florentine steak for two. It was cooked to perfection and  possibly the most tender meat, we have consumed. BTW: we let them serve it as it should be without issuing any temperature preference.
This was better than a Peter Luger’s steak and we consider that to be the best porterhouse in NYC.

I noticed the table of local next to us all ordering the Cantuccini so we followed their lead. The Cantuccini was hard like a rock however it absorbed the vin santo like a sponge and was special.

Needless to summarize we love this place and will return.

Com Quibus

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Emilia–Romagna, Italian, Italy

Trattoria del Tribunale, Parma, Italy

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Trattoria del Tribunale offers excellent fresh cooked local specialties at a very reasonable price.

We started with the Torta Fritta and Parma Ham. When in Rome as they say!  The dough was light and airy and the Ham as expected wonderful.

Primi:  The Tortelli di Zucca(Pumpkin Ravioli) was so good my wife almost chopped my finger off when I went to taste a piece. The pumpkin filling was flavored with Amaretto, a really nice touch. I had the Tortelli al radicchio rosso e noci (ravioli with chicory and walnuts) it too was excellent however the Tortelli di zucca was special and I highly recommend it.

For the Secondi:  We both had the Parmigiana di Melanzane (eggplant parmigiana).  At first the portion size looked small however it was extremely rich with an amazing depth of flavors. We both were pleasantly surprised by a real eggplant parm… it was great !!!  The contorni we had was Spinaci bolliti o saltati alla parmigiana it was cooked to perfect with just the right amount of cheese. “This was the best Spinaci I have ever eaten.”

Dessert is mandatory!  You must try the SBRISOLONA, it is this light and delicious almond crumble. We both agree that we would fly to Italy from Florida just to have another one !! The Torta di Chocolate was also outstanding.

When in Parma do not pass by Trattoria del Tribunale…  its worth the trip!!
<a href=”http://www.trattoriadeltribunale.it/” rel=”nofollow”>www.trattoriadeltribunale.it/</a>

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France, Gelato, Paris

Amorino Glace, Paris

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This is perhaps the best Gelato product,  I’ve had outside of Italy. It has the light yet creamy texture of an Italian Gelato and very strong flavor of the ingredient. They also deserve extra credit for their great presentation.

They have about a dozen shops around the world.

Amorino

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France, French Food, Paris, Uncategorized

Agape Substance, Paris

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Highest quality ingredients, prepared perfectly and elegantly plated. I’m usually not a fan of the tasting menu fearing that after eating 10 tiny plates, I’ll leave hungry and seek out the nearest Pizza I can find.  This was not the case at Agape Substance the tasting menu included several substantial courses that met your visual needs as well as fill your stomach. The plates were all painstaking prepared by the chef owner David Toutain. David actually personally handles every plate that leaves the kitchen for the tables.this is quite a feat considering the huge number of plates.

The service was excellent yet not stuffy and I really enjoyed the whole experience. The prices of the meals are very reasonable especially at lunch. This is a real value in a city were a fine dining dinner can set you back a thousand dollars.  I highly recommend you visit Agape Substance and see what surprises David and Laurent have in store for you.

Agape Substance

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Washington DC

Alero Mexican, Washington D.C.

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Simple and fresh TEX MEX at a very reasonable price.

This is not gourmet dining however the service was excellent . The food was several steps above your local Taco Bell however it was not the finest TEX MEX either. I would recommend it for something fast and cheap around Washington DC.

ALERO MEXICAN WEBSITE

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Gelato, Washington DC

Pitango Gelato, Washington D.C.

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I have decide to change my rating system for Gelato and rate Italian Gelato in a separate category because to compare it to anything else is unfair and places most US products in the poor category.

Fine Italian Gelato the homemade kind found in the small family run shops is beyond compare, it simply puts all others to shame . It possess a creamy yet not thick texture with flavors at explode in your mouth. I have yet to experience this in the US. I have come very close and the establishment that came close has even  flown in a Gelato consultant from Italy to assist them. I believe the next time I return they will have their product at a level of a descent  Italian product.

Pitango Gelato uses all mostly locally scoured and  all organic ingredients.
They charge a premium price for these ingredients, is it worth it. Well if you desire to eat an organic diet it is to others it may not be.  At 5.60 a scoop it very expensive snack for a family.

My verdict; I tasted about six flavors. They where very eager for me to try the nut flavors. The nut flavors or shall I say lack of flavor where very disappointing. The Chocolate Noir was good and I even ate more than one spoonful which is saying a lot because I usual taste a spoonful and throw the rest out because I’m so disappointed.

Rating: US/Fair-Good

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Florida, Italian

Sea Salt, Naples, Florida

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We stopped in for light lunch in Naples Florida today revisiting a favorite from last year. We are happy to report that the food is better than ever and all is going well at Sea Salt.

This visit we where lucky enough to have a long chat with the Chef/Owner Fabrizio Aielli. He was a most pleasant Italian gentlemen that was passionate about the quality of the ingredients he serves. He proudly explained how he is getting fresh ingredients flown in several times a week and some of his fish from Italy is fresher than that of some of the local fish served elsewhere.  Tomatoes are another passion of the Chef’s he loves to serve them with just a bit of fine olive oil and salt.

We are looking forward to returning shortly to have the fresh Gelato the chef promised us and to visit his new venue opening in the fall. We highly recommend that when in Naples Florida, you dine like your in Naples Italy at Sea Salt.

Sea Salt
1186 3rd Street South
Naples, FL 34102-7055
(239) 434-7258

http://www.seasaltnaples.com/

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