Le Dome, Montparnasse

If you're lucky enough to know some darling PBers who invite you to dinner on New Year’s Eve at LE DOME MONTPARNASSE go. Say yes vite. I admit I hesitated - too much homework, the metro isn't working, I'll be a 3rd wheel, bla bla bla. Fortunately I came to my senses. Besides December 26th in 2012 is the date I arrived in Paris and I'm still here.  It’s my Paris-Anniversary! 🥂

A good reason to celebrate, raise a glass 🥂and remember life is good and people are kind. 

What a lovely evening at one of Paris' swell, classic old brasseries (it opened in 1898). 

We had 'The works'. Champagne 🍾 first. 

We shared a plateau of oysters 🦪  The Dome’s seafood is reknown. They have their own fish store. 

Food writer Patricia Wells said, "I could dine at Le Dôme once a week, feasting on platters of briny oysters and their incomparable sole meunière." Bonnie had the incomparable sole, her favorite. 

Rob and I had the incomparable coquille St Jacques, on a bed of buttery leeks. 

We all shared Rob's dessert. One of the lightest, best 'Millefeuille Napoleon parfumé au rhum (barely evident) et la vanille' I've tasted. Our waiter suggested we get it instead of the chocolate buche de Noél. Listen 👂 to your waiter. 

By the way the service is 'old school'. Elegant yet friendly and attentive without being stuffy. And 🙏🏻 no one asked us 'how are you enjoying your meal?' in the midst of eating.  If you have a birthday or anniversary of any kind coming up, start saving and celebrate it at LE DOME in Paris. Bear was there, but he...umm stayed inside my bag. Have an Absolutely Fabulous NEW YEARS EVE 🥂🍾dear PBers. And Thank you so much for keeping us in Paris to share another year with you ❤️ XXX Carol and 🐻

Rue Daguerre

In yesterday's post I completely messed up Cara Black's book title, Murder BELOW Montparnasse. I've been doing mea culpas nonstop since. Granted it could be a case of belated jet lag or dyslexia or being so enthralled with her book I skipped the title or none of the above. Please forgive.

Rue Daguerre is mentioned in Murder BELOW Montparnasse and it turns out to be a darling rue I had previously overlooked chock-a-block with everything under the sun to eat etc.

Plus Brit watercolor artist Ian Sidaway let me know he was coming to town AND staying on rue Daguerre. Did I have a choice to miss this street?

When I Googled rue Daguerre AirBnB popped up with rock bottom 18 m room for a mere 40€ right in the coeur de Daguerre.
Y'all come.

A good portion of the rue is paved and for pedestrians only much like tres charmante rue Cler.

A plethora of cafes line this street...

The French are Very Big on honey/miel in case you'd like to be French. French girl had it every single morning on her toast for breakies.

You can DIY here at Famille Mary #11 rue Daguerre. I wish they had the same with peanut butter...you didn't hear me say that.

Paella is on offer at the clever fish monger - this I could go for in a big way.

I'm a big moules/mussel fan too. These are hot of the presses fresh in from Brittany.

A vintage clothing shop of course on rue Daguerre and mentioned in the new hot book, Paris C'est Chic (with English blurbs included).

Cows ABOVE Montparnasse?
The French do love their cows and rightly so. Now that I've petted a few I can heartliy say they are well-behaved/bien elevee and perfectly lovely.

The Dog Of The Day is going BELOW Montparnasse (NOT 'under' as some idiot would have it ahem).
You better believe it!

Chez Clement Montparnasse

I met Sarah in the JFK waiting lounge enroute to Paris. Sarah has lived in Paris for 20 years and runs acting classes for the French at F.A.C.T.

Sarah invited M. and I to join her for dinner at Chez Clement, a chain all over Paris (sadly now closed). You can read their menu outside.The thing about Chez Clement that grabbed my attention was not their food (quite delicious) but their decor 🥄 SPOONS everywhere at Chez Clement!Why they don't call this Chez Cuillère or Chez du Cuillères or Les Cuillères?Plus there are a ton of copper pots hanging all over - some might call it,
Chez Pot de Cuivre.More pot de cuivre hanging at the entrance.

They proudly announce on the vitrines - their mashed potatoes have butter.

Pot de cuivre door handles

Step inside and you are greeted by an ARDOISE! announcing special of the day. M. & I got the special which included dessert

MORE SPOONS 🥄 I love throwing a spoon into a watercolor.

Spoons direct the eye 👁️ and add dimension to a picture.

I was in love with this restaurant.

M. and Sarah chastised me to stop taking pictures and EAT.

We shared a dessert of profiteroles...
Our spoons went to town on this one.

Very YUM ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️