Le Royal Monceau Noel

Dear PBers, another petit taste of Paris for you. This time Christmas preview tasting at Hotel Royal Monceau - Raffles Avenue Hoche 75008 More Xmas in September. Who knew?

I feel quite comfortable at the Royal Monceau. There was a design brunch for bloggers on Tuesday. The atmosphere is relaxed luxury with loads of artistic designer details. Art where ever you look.

While the hotel is cool and cutting edge it's not intimidating. Or too, too blindingly glitzy like some new kids on the block. PBers ask which is my fav hotel. It's easy to to say this one.

Evidently I'm not alone loving the Royal Monceau...ahem.

Beyonce and Jay-Z were in town for their ON THE RUN sold-out concert at le Stade de France. They fav this the Monceau too. Here making a very private entrance.

I didn't wait to catch a glimpse of B/J-Z. I did see a few of their entourage inside. Brüche de Noëls were calling my name.

Pierre Hermé creates a special collection of desserts for the hotel. Bùche Chloe - an intense combination of chocolat Manjari, mousse au chocolat a la framboise (raspberries ).

Bûche Infiniment Vanille. I'm crazy for anything vanilla since I moved to Paris.

The buche were sitting on an aromatic bed of criss-crossed vanilla beans. Where can I buy this perfume?

Bûche de Noël can be savory too.

Executive chef Laurent André created the Ruby for the Monceau's Christmas dinner. A graphic combination of foie gras, pistachio, raspberries sitting on a crust of pain d'epice.

Light and lovely.

To go with the bûche, a perfectly aged Port chosen by MOF sommelier Peyronder. I don't usually drink but there are times one must make an exception no? Fabulous is the vertict.

In fact I'm thinking of taking up drinking so I can visit all the terrific hotel bars in Paris like the Raffles bar. A 'Shirley Temple' is not going to cut it.

I did down a glass of 'red fruits' juice. So pretty...

More of the Christmas menu starting in November 29th at the hotel.

And continuing after New Years. Chef Rispoli from Il Carpaccio

makes individual pasta for us.

The hotel has an in house epicerie with a collection of yummy gourmet gifts.

I'm in love with this tea cup. At the preview gifts from the art book store in the lobby, La Librairie des Arts.

La Librairie des Arts has fabulous mix of art books and artworks to browse and inspire.

How about art classes for guest kiddies in the Atelier Jeff Koons pour les enfants? They can paint miniature 'Nanas'! A big Niki de St. Phalle exhibit is opening next week at Grand Palais. don't worry you'll see it on PB soon.

I learned a hard leçon yesterday. 

Eat dessert first. 

After tasting the savory choices on the Monceau's Christmas menu, Pierre Hermé's Bûche Mandarine was gone gone gone. 

Course if you want to fit into your lavender tights and tutu like the Frenchy in my entryway yesterday, maybe it's a good thing to pass up a dessert or two or ten.

If you'd like a petit taste of Paris in your very own mailbox do look at my Sketch Letters on Etsy. 

And don't miss out on Christmas din at The Royal Monceau if you happen to be in town for the hols. Simply divine dear PBers.

Now I'm ON THE RUN to the Loire to taste like 600 tomatoes at La Fete de La Tomate at chateau Bourdaisiere.
Stay tuned.

What I ate at Le Royal Monceau Noel

A tiny break today from yellow dahlias...
 

For infiniment citron yellow buche de Noel
 

Or a chocolate Büche with cassis berries inside and flourless so perfect for the gluten-free crowd
 

Also perfect for the rest of us - out of this world intensely chocolatey and designed by no less than Pierre Hermé. Did I say this is an advanced tasting/gouter for the press at Hotel Royal Monceau? I went with Paris Bee.
 

An amazing savoury/salee Büche de Noel, Perle Noire, filled with foie gras, cacoa, speculoos and black truffles. What can one say? Speechless with awe.
 

This Büche is called Omelette Norwegian
 

But I call it 'Baked Alaska', full of ice cream (framboise, rose Ispahan) and toasted meringue on the outside. What do you say? Granted I never had a Baked Alaska that tasted like this!
 

Dessert first and then the mini starters.
 

Carpaccio of scallops with Yuzu and langoustine tails and claws. I forgot to shoot the lobster with truffles...so hit me.
 

Artichauts with slivers of truffles. One must have ones veggies non?
 

The truffled risotto table...
 

Made on the spot.
 

I drank fresh mango juice and green apple as a chaser.
 

Cocktails minus the alcohol were being mixed into iced rare teas.
 

What to wear to such a tasting? If you're 3 - 10 these Bonpoint ballerines would be parfait.
 

As would this darling logo Bonpoint T-shirt. They have a shop inside Hotel Royal Monceau
 

You get your own Hotel Monceau doudou when you visit to keep forever in the hotel's signature grey.
 

If you're a bit older wear a LITTLE BLACK DRESS for gawds sake and a Big tan bag. Dramatic jewelry helps.
 

Hair? In an upsweep SVP.

Isn't this a fun teacup?
The smile is reflected off the saucer onto the cup.

Admit this was fun.

I dare you to suggest otherwise ;))