Fashion like in Le Marais!

I love walking in Paris Le Marais neighborhood on Sundays, because it is charming, relaxing and full of amazing small and stylish boutiques. I have been pleased to see that some of the French labels have finally opened in the City, most of them in Soho. For fashion and accessories, Isabel Marant on Broome and Greene http://isabelmarant.tm.fr/, Longchamp, Zadig & Voltaire on Mercer and Bleecker http://www.zadig-et-voltaire.com/ or Comptoir des Cotonniers on Spring http://comptoir-des-cotonniers.com/ to name a few. We will still need to wait for Paul and Joe, only in LA for now. As for more premium labels, Lanvin finally opened a boutique on Madison avenue. For contemporary interior design, Ligne Roset would be a good option in Soho or Park Avenue South...

CABARET vs. CABARET.

NYC Broadway vs. PARIS Cabaret...

A reinvented French musical, La Cage of Folles -or "La Cage" as they say here- won the Tony Award...but despite its high-level of entertainment and as is often the case for many remakes it is not up to the level of the original French play of the Gai-Paris with acting duo Serrault-Poiret.

Another famous Cabaret icon is Josephine Baker...and a perfect example of the French-American culture!
Steps away from the theater district, Chez Josephine is a  Broadway tradition since 1986. Described as "the soul of Paris in the heart of New York" or "Where the legend of Josephine Baker lives on", this theatrical bistro is a delight. You are always welcome by the owner Jean-Claude Baker and the decor and traditional French bistro cuisine a real treat.

Try it, chances are you'll get addicted...

http://www.chezjosephine.com/

French Gigs in NYC.

French Music in the Big Apple? Check out these 2 upcoming concerts...

Yelle
Yelle began working on and recording their debut album Pop-Up in 2006 after the success of her first song “Je veux te voir”, the just-coarse-enough hit heard around the world and especially heavily on Myspace. She has enjoyed success outside of France despite making songs exclusively in French! She has toured overseas in non-French speaking countries and in particular the United States performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2008. Yelle is a delightful breath of fresh air in the electro scene!
Nov 4 – Highline Ballroom at 9 pm

Pink Martini
Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop –, Thomas Lauderdale founded the “little orchestra” Pink Martini in 1994. Their first song “Sympathique”– with the chorus “Je ne veux pas travailler” (”I don‟t want to work”) – became an overnight sensation in France. Pink Martini has twelve musicians, and performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Northern Africa, North America, etc.
Nov 13 – Beacon Theater at 8 pm
http://www.francerocks.net/

Petrossian Nightmare...

Another Parisian institution is Petrossian. Located in the heart of the French capital in the plush 7th arrondissement, it has been around for years and its reputation for exquisite quality (caviar and other fine foods) combined with impeccable service part of its legacy.

As such, I was pretty excited to try the New York boutique on 7th Avenue. Quite a splurge but worth it for a celebration treat! After waiting for a long time before someone noticed I was there (and with no customers in line) I had to ask for help. An arrogant employee told me to wait further and finally came 10 minutes later asking what I wanted. I am no expert in caviar so I started asking about differences in taste and texture for the various options. More attitude there...and not that knowledgeable. I settled on a small expensive caviar box, dying to end one of the worst shopping experience ever. This was so outrageous, especially for a luxury brand where service is essential, that I decided to file a customer complaint with Petrossian NY office and with Paris Headquarters, hoping this would raise the issue and avoid other clients to be disgruntled. I know the complaint reached its destination but was ignored by both locations...another proof if needed. Ironically, I was forced to go back a few months later being randomly given a Petrossian gift certificate. Again, same attitude. Some things never change and I guess the likelihood of them ever finding out from the groundswell is close to zero.

My advice: avoid Petrossian and spread the word, as it will only give you a bitter taste!

Relax @ luxurious French Spa, Bordeaux included!

It doesn't get any better than this! A treat for all your senses.

Walk in the luxurious Plaza Hotel along Central Park South and reach Nirvana on the 4th floor: The Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa.

Leveraging the French tradition of vineyards, the grape is central both to the treatments and the decor. Even traditional services like manicures begin with a fresh-cut grape hand massage. Rich gold and brown hues, slate floors, gold mosaic tiles and oak and cherry wood fixtures emphasize a sort of earthy extravagance--not unlike an actual vineyard. And after your enchanting treatment, you can relax in the lounge where you gaze at the wine cellar while sipping complimentary wine grand crus. An oasis of pure French delight at your doorstep...
http://www.caudalie-usa.com/site/caudalie_spa.html

Biarritz Recreated...

Le Pays Basque, Biarritz, St Jean de Luz, San Sebastian on the Spanish side are where I have spent most of my summers since I was born. It runs in my blood (literally given the family's origins) and it is a place I would recommend to anyone visiting France. Amazing food, the ocean and the waves to surf on, the Pyrenees mountains...How to re-create this here? It seems it is the latest trend in the restaurant business with the recent opening of Bar Basque, following in the footsteps of Txikito- typical Spanish basque name- www.txikitonyc.com. Maybe the food is, I have not tried it yet, but the decor at Bar Basque is way too urban and trendy to be called "authentic Bar Basque". Txikito would be closer to that, simple, unpretentious with some character. And as for the waves, direction Montauk, one of my favorite places to escape the city- you are watching Biarritz when looking out East and the waves are comparable. Don't forget your Quicksilver gear (their European headquarters are in St Jean). And if you want a low-key, fun restaurant venue on the beach, try Navy Beach restaurant http://navybeach.com/restaurant...

Patrick, Elsa, Etcetera...

Fall is usually a good time for new shows, festivals, and impromptu visits from French artists!

This month, the comedian Patrick Timsit will perform a one-man show at the Florence Gould Hall on October 28th.Timsit, one of France’s most popular comedians, comes to New York to present his One Man Stand-Up Show, in French. Nominated for four Césars, Timsit is best known for the French comedy Little Indian, Big City (Un indien dans la ville, 1994). Hailed by Télérama as showing “the comedian at the top of his game” and Paris Match as “fiery,” Timsit’s One Man Stand-Up Show received rave reviews in Paris. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsSGVDTnhko

Next month it's talented actress Elsa Zylberstein who will be in town to introduce the movie Van Gogh and do a Q&A following the screening...a good way to practice your French (translations and subtitles provided)...Check out the program from FIAF a good resource for French cultural events in the city. www.fiaf.org