L' Oiseau Blanc (Peninsula Hotel) -- Restaurant Review

 

For reservation, menu, directions, see website: https://www.peninsula.com/en/paris/hotel-fine-dining/french-rooftop-loiseau-blanc

 Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor € = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

4.75 - stars ...................€€€€................................  1--🔔 

I don’t usually go to hotels for a meal unless there’s something truly exceptional about them. L’Oiseau Blanc — “The White Bird” — sits atop The Peninsula Paris beneath a spectacular glass dome with nearly 360-degree views over Paris, centered perfectly on the Eiffel Tower. The restaurant seats only about 40 guests, yet remarkably there isn’t a bad seat in the house — every table has a view. 

We had previously attended a private party at LiLi, the Peninsula’s elegant Cantonese restaurant known for its refined Chinese cuisine and dramatic opera-inspired interiors, and it was excellent. But what L’Oiseau Blanc has over LiLi is undeniably the view.

By the way, the restaurant holds two Michelin stars, and the chef, David Bizet, has quite an impressive background. Before coming to L’Oiseau Blanc, he spent 18 years at the legendary Four Seasons Hotel George V, rising through the ranks before leading both Le V and later L’Orangerie, where he earned his first Michelin star in 2017. He then moved to the iconic Le Taillevent, where he was awarded a second Michelin star in 2020. You can really sense that pedigree in the cooking — refined and creative, but never trying too hard.

We opted for the prix-fixe lunch menu at €125 each.

We started off with aperitifs, I had a kir royale an JJ had a pastis.

The amuse-bouche were fantastic. They started us off with a lovely little levain boule served with a special butter so colorful and rich that I had to ask about it. The waiter explained that the vibrant color came from carotene — the natural pigment found in vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and kale. It was as beautiful as it was delicious.

Next came something called a baba, which I usually associate with dessert, but this version was savory — a soft dough soaked in a bouillabaisse-style sauce. Absolutely excellent.

The third course was a tiered selection of different amuse-bouche. The only one I distinctly remember was the artichoke, though honestly all three were outstanding.

Such a wonderful start to the meal.

Layered brioche.

They also served a bread with the first course that I’d be remiss not to mention. It was a savory brioche, layered almost like a delicate puff pastry — rich, buttery, and incredibly light.

Our waiter jokingly said, “It’s made with lots of butter — that’s why it tastes so good.” I mentioned how much I loved it, and without us even asking, he immediately brought over another order. Such a thoughtful touch.

Smoked sardine Green bean / cherry / almond / herbal zephyr.

Our entrée was beautifully simple in presentation. I have to say, the sardine was absolutely delicious. It was split down the middle and stuffed with herbs, with little crunchy bits throughout that I’m guessing came from almonds. On the side was a creamy green bean accompaniment that tied everything together perfectly. It felt incredibly refined and sophisticated without trying too hard. And for me, it was the ideal portion — small, elegant, and packed with flavor.

White asparagus Flame-seared / licorice / peppery shoot / bottarga

This white asparagus was as thick as my arm and perfectly grilled. I usually don’t care for white asparagus — I’ve always found it a bit bland and much prefer green — but this completely changed my mind. I honestly didn’t pick up much licorice, flavors but the greens added a nice freshness, while the bottarga brought a subtle salty depth.

It was served with a small dollop of berry sherbet, which sounded odd at first, but it actually worked beautifully. Since the entrée was served at room temperature, the tartness acted almost like a little palate cleanser before the next course.

Overall, it was a very clever, thoughtfully composed dish. Simple in presentation, but you could tell a lot of care went into developing it.

Burgundy rabbit Sea-water celtuce / cockle / Provençal herb / horseradish

 The rabbit was incredibly tender and succulent, and all of the accompanying elements worked beautifully together. Even the horseradish was mild and balanced.

Although the main dish looked small, it was packed with so much flavor that it ended up being incredibly satisfying.

They also served a small bowl of sea lettuce with shredded rabbit, but I found it far too salty to keep eating. Honestly, that was the only part of the meal I didn’t enjoy.

That said, like all the previous courses, the dish was meticulously composed — beautiful, artistic, and overall absolutely delicious.

Plate of cheese (off prix-fixe menu)

I’m trying to get back into the habit of cutting down on sugar, so instead of dessert I ordered a plate of assorted cheeses. The selection was excellent and nicely varied — each one unique and very tasty. Honestly, you can never go wrong with good cheese.

Spiced strawberry- XO sauce / grilled piquillo pepper / fresh curd cheese.  This was the included dessert of the prix-fixe menu.  Although you can't see it in the photo JJ was fascinated with a mouse-like filling that he was convinced was made with pureed sweet potato.  The dab of the XO sauce allowed the dish to be more lively and the surrounding 'cup' had its own delicious flavor. 

I had mentioned when making the reservation that it was JJ’s birthday, though I didn’t bring it up again at lunch and honestly almost forgot about it myself. So it was a lovely surprise when they brought out a chocolate statue perched atop a rich, nutty chocolate confection to celebrate the occasion. As beautiful as the statue was, the base was the real star — absolutely delicious.

Mignardise

As a parting gift, we were served a mignardise — a beautiful assortment of tiny bite-sized sweets. By that point I was absolutely full, but I decided to indulge anyway and sample them all. Sometimes it’s impossible to resist one last moment of decadence.

Guiberteau 2022 Saumur, red wine 

Domaine Guiberteau is one of the Loire Valley’s most respected producers, run by Romain Guiberteau, who took over the family estate in the mid-1990s after training alongside the legendary Clos Rougeard team. The domaine has roots going back to the early 1900s and is known for meticulous organic farming and incredibly precise expressions of Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc grown on the limestone soils of Saumur and Brézé.

The 2022 Saumur Rouge is made from 100% Cabernet Franc and really captures the elegance the Loire so well. In the glass, it’s bright and expressive with notes of red cherry, raspberry, plum, crushed herbs, graphite, peppercorn, and a little earthy smokiness. There’s also that classic Loire Cabernet Franc freshness — vibrant acidity with silky tannins rather than anything heavy or overly oaked.

What makes the 2022 vintage especially interesting is that Guiberteau intentionally used a gentler extraction to keep the wine fresh and balanced despite the warmer vintage. The result is a wine that feels juicy, layered, and incredibly drinkable now, while still having enough structure to age beautifully for several years.

It’s the kind of red that feels refined without being pretentious — elegant, mineral-driven, and extremely food friendly. Perfect with rabbit, duck, charcuterie, mushrooms, or anything earthy and savory. (from wine source)

SUMMARY

This isn’t the kind of restaurant you visit regularly — it’s a place for special occasions, and the prices reflect that. We chose the Seasonal Flight lunch prix-fixe, available only at lunch (except holidays), which starts at €125 per person for four courses, not including the amuse-bouche and mignardises. The full Seasonal Flight tasting menu is €425 per person for eight courses. I saw a few tables order it, and honestly, it looked like an incredible amount of food — far more than I could ever finish.

Part of the experience is also the setting. Beneath its glass dome, the restaurant offers nearly 360-degree views of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower stealing the show. The service is polished and attentive without ever feeling stiff, and the smaller dining room gives it a more intimate atmosphere.

As for the food, each dish felt like a work of art — beautifully composed and layered with flavor. The only dish I didn’t particularly enjoy was the sea lettuce with rabbit served alongside the main course, mainly because I found it a bit too salty. I was leaning toward giving the experience a 4.5 overall because of that one misstep, but the thoughtful birthday surprise they brought out for JJ — completely unprompted — easily won me back over. Did I mention the service is really excellent, 

The restaurant holds two Michelin stars, and after dining there, it’s easy to understand why. They’re absolutely deserved. Would we go back? Without hesitation — once I’ve recovered financially.

Costs

For 2 prix-fixe = €250, kir royale = €36, Pastis = €25, Sparkling water = €18, Evian = €16, Saumur wine = €95, tea = €18.  Total costs was €458.

If you go for dinner, expect to pay well over €1,000

Le Coupe-Chou -- Restaurant review

For general information, reservations, menu & directions see website: https://en.lecoupechou.com/

 Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor € = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

4.0 - stars ...................€€€.................................  2--🔔 

We went to this restaurant in the 5eme for a birthday celebration of a dear friend of ours. His spouse treated us to this fabulous dinner. This building has a lot of history. 

While restoring the cellars at Le Coupe-Chou, the owners uncovered ruins from a 2nd-century Gallo-Roman settlement dating back to the time of Marcus Aurelius — including hot water pipes, a Roman bath, pottery, statuettes, and medieval street plaques. Some of those historic plaques, altered during the French Revolution, are now displayed behind the bar.

The inside had three different levels. Le Coupe-Chou is made up of four interconnected houses dating back to the 14th, 16th, and 17th centuries, with small stairways and narrow passageways linking the rooms together. After two years of restoration, historical research, and treasure hunting through antique shops, the space was lovingly brought back to its old-world charm.

It honestly felt as though we were dining inside a medieval castle. If I’m being honest, the layout was a bit awkward at times, but it hardly mattered. The ambiance completely transported you back in time and made the experience all the more memorable.

NOTE: I'm only going to review the meals I had or tasted

Escargot. 

I figured since it was such an old-school French restaurant, I had to go with a classic starter — the escargot.

And let’s be honest, escargot is never really about the snails. It’s all about the sauce.

This one was exactly how it should be: rich, buttery, loaded with garlic and parsley, and absolutely delicious. I honestly could’ve eaten another order. Our poor spouses, however, probably had to endure garlic breath for the next few days.

Herb-crusted pork tenderloin, cauliflower purée, port reduced jus.

The pork was cooked perfectly — tender, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. At first glance, it looked like it was served over mashed potatoes, but it was actually a cauliflower purée. The flavor was nice, and I do like cauliflower, but the purée was a bit looser than I would’ve preferred. With less liquid, the texture could have been much smoother and more refined.

Crème brulée à la fève de tonka

Sticking with the classics, a friend and I shared the crème brûlée. It was quite good, though I personally found it a touch too sweet. The caramelized sugar gave way with a satisfying crackle as we broke through to the custard beneath. The custard itself was light and delicious—again, slightly sweeter than I prefer—but overall, it was an enjoyable dessert.

I've started drinking more red wine, since that's what the doctor recommended after my heart surgery. So I'm not familiar with red wines at all. A friend recommended this and it was fantastic. Went well with all our meals. 

From wine source: The Jean-Max Roger Sancerre Rouge Cuvée from Bué, in the Cher region of France, is an elegant Pinot Noir that beautifully reflects the character of the Loire Valley. Light-bodied and refined, it offers bright aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry, with subtle earthy notes and a touch of spice. On the palate, it is silky and fresh, with soft tannins, lively acidity, and a smooth, balanced finish. A charming and approachable red that pairs wonderfully with poultry, charcuterie, or soft cheeses.

SUMMARY 

Talk about history. Dining here truly felt like stepping back in time. More than a restaurant, it felt as though you were welcomed into someone’s home, filled with cozy old-world charm and character. The service was excellent. Our server, who was half Dutch and half French, was warm, attentive, and helped make our friend’s birthday celebration feel especially memorable.

As for the food, we stuck with the classics, and honestly, they were very good. It was clear this is a popular destination for tourists—the dining room was filled almost entirely with visitors—but there’s nothing wrong with that. Despite its popularity with tourists, the restaurant still delivered quality food and a genuinely charming experience. The only small note I would make is that I wished the puréed cauliflower had a bit more substance and texture, as it leaned slightly on the watery side for my taste.

Would we return? Absolutely. It’s the kind of place you bring out-of-town guests to experience a bit of old-world ambiance and history.

Costs

For one cocktail, two bottles of Sancerre, four entrées, six plats, and four desserts, our bill came to €429, or about €71.50 per person. Considering the two bottles of wine alone totaled €120, the food portion worked out to roughly €51.50 per person—not bad at all for good food, excellent service, and such a lovely ambiance.

Big Love -- Restaurant Review

 

For address, reservations, menu refer to their website: https://www.bigmammagroup.com/italian-restaurants/biglove

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor € = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

3.5 - stars ...................€................................. BOMB-🔔 

I first heard about this restaurant online. It's the new hip happening place for the "in-crowd" to go for an inexpensive and good lunch. Et voila I made reservations for 6 people. It's located in the upper "Le Marais". 

As we approached the entrance, even though I had reservations, I was convinced it would be packed and we’d be stuck waiting for a table. So it was a very pleasant surprise when they had ours ready, tucked near the kitchen. It’s a long, narrow space and they really make the most of it, tables packed in tightly, with a very young, vibrant crowd.

Big Love is a vegetarian restaurant, but they also offer plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. If you’re lacto-ovo vegetarian, you’re covered too, eggs and cheese are definitely on the menu. In other words, exactly the kind of place my cardiologist would love me to embrace.

The owner, waitstaff, and chefs are all Italian, and they bring a fresh, creative vegetarian twist to classic dishes. And for brunch, a starter, dessert, mocktail, and a specialty coffee of your choice for just €27, which, for Paris, feels like an absolute steal. 

I'll only review the dishes that I tasted. I opted not to have the mocktail nor did I have a specialty coffee. NOTE: you can have the mocktails turned into real cocktails. 

EGGS AND TRUFFLES. 

It was technically still brunch time, around 1:30, and I chose this as my main dish. The scrambled eggs were tossed with pasta, the salad had a pleasantly tart bite, and the grilled sandwich was thick, filled with rich Italian cheese. You could taste the truffle, but it was more of a subtle hint than those bold, shaved slices you sometimes get.

I liked the dish, it was well balanced and satisfying. That said, aside from being vegetarian, or more precisely lacto-ovo, it didn’t feel particularly memorable. Good, enjoyable, but nothing especially out of the ordinary.

Now I was able to taste each dessert:

POWER BOWL — This is pretty much what I usually have for breakfast, so it immediately felt like a win. Creamy yogurt topped with fresh berries and that satisfying crunch from the granola, familiar, simple, and comforting.

FRUTTI ROSSI PANCAKES — Thick, fluffy, and almost unusually tall. At first glance, I expected them to be dense, but they were surprisingly light. Topped with berries, then generously drizzled with maple syrup, it’s a solid, indulgent dish.

TIRAMISU FRENCH TOAST — This one looked incredibly rich, but it didn’t eat that way at all. It had just the right level of sweetness and was unexpectedly light. A clever take on tiramisu, reimagined through French toast, and it works.

Overall, the desserts were enjoyable, though they leaned more toward what you’d expect from an American-style breakfast or dessert. The tiramisu version felt a bit more elevated, but still very much in that indulgent, brunch-friendly lane.

NOTE: We were given a shot of limoncello as a parting treat. 

SUMMARY 

This is their brunch menu, a lighter, healthier take on the usual offerings, with plenty of flexibility, vegan, vegetarian, including lacto-ovo, and even gluten-free options. You can also order from the main menu, and one of our friends tried the gnocchi and enjoyed it.

What I did find odd was that when our main dishes arrived, all of our drinks showed up at once, wine, mocktails, and even coffee. A bit unusual.

The place has a distinctly young, hip vibe, likely tied to the approachable price point. It’s also extremely loud, with tightly packed tables and constant traffic through narrow aisles. Service was uneven and notably slow. There also seems to be a growing trend among younger, more “in” restaurants in Paris to pipe in music, which wasn’t traditionally the case, and this spot leans into that as well; am I showing my age?

While the food was good overall, the atmosphere just isn’t for me. I tend to prefer somewhere quieter, especially as more of these trendy spots lean into louder music and high-energy settings.

Net-net, would I return? Probably not. Good food, just not my kind of vibe.

Our bill came to 186€, 31€ each. Normally it would've been €27 each, but we ordered an additional 2-glasses of wine, made a mocktail into a cocktail and had a diet coke. Regardless, this was an excellent deal for brunch/lunch. 

Rosemarie -- restaurant Review

 

For address, reservations, directions see website: https://www.rosemariebistrotparis.com/en/

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor € = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

4.5 - stars ...................€€................................. 2-🔔 

I’m back. After six months in the U.S. from my winter hajj—where everything is bigger, including the portions—I’m ready to get back to what Paris does best: eating well, and portions are perfect.

This time, I took a recommendation from my friend Sarah, who always seems to know where to go before the rest of us catch on. The restaurant is in the 7ème, just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower—so yes, you’re in postcard territory. Unbeknownst to me, due to jetlag, we were there a year ago. 

From the outside, it’s very low-key. Honestly, you could walk right past it if you weren’t seeing the colorful awning, and paying attention (which I almost did). Inside, same story—simple, no fuss. It seats about 44 people, but let’s just say you get very cozy with your neighbors, very typically Parisian, since space is a premium. This is not a tourist destination, as far as I could tell. I heard only french spoken, except us. 

I chatted with the owner, the restaurant is named after her grandmother, her husband is the chef, and she runs the dining room. A true family operation, which immediately makes you relax—you can tell it’s personal.

This is exactly the kind of place I love. No pretense, no overthinking, just really honest, home-style food. As you enter you see the main focus, the bar and hanging on a blackboard was the prix-fixe menu of the day. This is the kind of restaurant where you settle in, forget the time, and maybe leave already planning your next visit.

Three of us opted for the prix-fixe menu whereas JJ ordered just a "plat", on the menu. 

ENTRÉE

Crispy shrimp in citrus sauce. 

The crispy shrimp arrived as the kind of opener that quietly sets expectations high—and then smugly meets them. Generously sized, each shrimp was wrapped in a delicate, golden shell that shattered on cue, as if it had been waiting all evening for that exact moment.

The citrus sauce leaned on the tart, but stopped short of making you wince—more of a bright nudge than a slap. It played especially well with the fried wrapper, cutting through the richness just enough to keep things interesting. And then, just when you thought you had it figured out, little pops of mango appeared—sweet, subtle, and a great combination.

All in all, a strong start to the meal—thoughtful, balanced, and just clever enough to make you feel like you chose well.

PLAT PRINCIPAL

Lacquered pork ribs with pureed potatoes.

I love pork ribs, any style, any size, I’m in. But before this dish came out, I had to give our friend a quick heads-up: Parisian ribs are not the big, messy, fall-apart-in-your-hands situation we’re used to in the U.S. These tend to be a bit more… well-refined

And yes, when they arrived, they looked small.  Almost like ribs that went to finishing school.

But don’t let the size fool you, these little guys were packed with flavor. The meat was super tender, basically falling off the bone with zero effort. Honestly, I’m convinced they cook them this way so you can eat ribs with a knife and fork and the french wouldn't have to use their fingers, hence, no sticky fingers, no sauce on your face—very French, or for that matter europeans.

Flavor-wise, they were slightly sweet, a little rich, and surprisingly meaty for something that looked so modest at first glance. And the mashed potatoes? Smooth, velvety, and exactly what you want next to ribs, like they were made for each other.

All in all, a really enjoyable main. Small ribs, big payoff.

Cod, mousseline and tender Carrots, Shellfish Emulsion

JJ ordered this as his only course. This dish is a perfect example of how the French make simplicity feel a little bit luxurious without trying too hard.

The cod (dos de cabillaud) was beautifully cooked—tender, and just firm enough to hold its shape without falling apart the second your fork touched it. It had that clean, delicate flavor that lets you know the quality is doing most of the talking.

But what really stood out were the vegetables. The carrots were soft and naturally sweet, cooked to that ideal point where they still have structure but practically melt when you bite into them and a wonderful mousseline. The rest of the vegetables such as the charred cabbage, leeks and onions followed suit—each one perfectly done, no mushiness, no undercooking, just spot-on.

Then there’s the shellfish foam, which sounds fancy (and yes, it is), but it didn’t overpower anything. It added a light, slightly briny richness that tied everything together without stealing the show.

All together, it’s one of those dishes that feels refined but not fussy—just really well-executed cooking where every element knows its role and plays it well.

DESSERTS

Chocolate & Coffee Crémeux, Crème Anglaise

I don’t usually order dessert, but a new favorite spot deserves a little celebration.

The Chocolate & Coffee Crémeux was light and airy, almost like a whipped ganache that somehow didn’t feel heavy (a small miracle). The crème anglaise kept things balanced—not sweet—while the tuile added a nice little crunch.

Simple, well done, and gone faster than I’d like to admit.

Chocolate tart with vanilla whipped cream. 

JJ ordered this one, and to be fair, he was very happy with his decision. I, on the other hand, found it leaning a bit too into sugar spike.

Think classic chocolate on chocolate: a rich ganache perched atop a chocolate crust, with very little intention of holding back. It’s indulgent, no question, but for my palate, it crossed into “maybe a few bites are enough” territory. Thankfully, a side of whipped cream came to the rescue, softening things just enough to keep it enjoyable.

My least favorite of the meal, but that says more about my sweet tolerance than the dessert itself. If you’re a chocolate lover who believes more is more, this one will absolutely be your moment.

SUMMARY 

This is exactly the kind of place that reminds you why you go out to eat in Paris in the first place. It’s a true, traditional French restaurant, unpretentious, a little tight on space, full of personality, and clearly run with care. Nothing feels manufactured or overly polished, and that’s precisely the charm. You’re not in some sterile, perfectly lit dining room that could be anywhere, you’re here, in Paris, surrounded by character, history, and honest cooking. It’s the kind of spot that feels real, and all the better for it. Would we return? ABSOLUTELY. 

We did not order any wines. With 3-prixe-fixed menus at 36€ each, 1-plat at 32€, 2-cokes at 12€ and 2 sparkling waters at 10€, and a non-alcoholic beer at 8€ our bill came to 170€, 42.50€ each, this was a great price and deal. 

NOTE:  I actually reviewed this restaurant about a year ago, but during my recent visit I thought it was my first time. The food and service felt so different that it seemed like an entirely new place—definite improvements have been made.

TAXI SCAMS

 

As we get closer to heading back to Paris in a few days, I’m reminded of all those fake taxi drivers trying to pull me away from the official taxi line at the airport. 

As tourism season peaks—and with so many people planning trips to Paris—this is definitely something to keep in mind.

Here’s a great video on how to avoid these scams, plus helpful tips on getting into the city from CDG. Beyond taxis, consider safe and reliable alternatives like the RER B, Roissybus, or official airport shuttles—they’re often cheaper, efficient, and much harder to get scammed on.

Click on the video this video link. TAXI SCAMES

Differences between a café, brasserie, bouillon & bistro

 

I have to admit, even after living in Paris for 18 years, with the exception of bouillons and cafés I interchange them—though I know the classics! And of course, every place makes its own rules. For example, our corner café is technically a café, but in spring, summer, and fall, they take dinner reservations.

That said, one rule I always follow and highly recommend: if a place takes reservations—especially the popular ones—make one. It’s a lifesaver during the warmer months when everyone wants to be out and about.

Here’s a great video that explains the differences—and trust me, it’s worth a watch. (click on link below) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfFzB4-MGFI

Bonne année

 

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL! BONNE ANNÉE À TOUS

JOYEUSES FÊTES

Let us celebrate the ties that bind us, near and far

• Célébrons les liens précieux qui nous unissent, ici et ailleurs

• Celebremos los lazos que nos unen, cerca y lejos

• Feiern wir die wertvollen Bande, die uns verbinden – nah und fern

• Ipagdiwang natin ang mga ugnayang nagbubuklod sa atin, malapit man o malayo

May 2026 open its doors to success, joy, and radiant health for you and those you hold dear

• Que l’année 2026 vous ouvre grand ses portes, vous apportant succès, joie et une santé rayonnante, à vous et à vos proches

• Que el 2026 abra sus puertas a los éxitos, la alegría y una salud radiante para ti y tus seres queridos

• Möge das Jahr 2026 Ihnen und Ihren Liebsten Erfolg, Freude und strahlende Gesundheit bringen

• Nawa’y buksan ng 2026 ang mga pintuan nito sa tagumpay, kagalakan, at maningning na kalusugan para sa iyo at sa iyong mga mahal sa buhay

À L’ANNÉE PROCHAINE (Until next Year)