http://www.tdf-tours.com/
Like many Spyns former clients, I've come to know and love the city of lights. Paris is truly a must-see on any life's bucket list. It is a quite simply a jewel in the world's crown however that jewel loses its lustre somewhat because so many hotels and restaurants are priced for Middle Eastern Oil Sheiks or Russian Oligarchs. Oui, Paris hotels are ridiculously expensive. Not only do you get to pay upwards of $200/night for a standard room, you also get to enjoy a $20 croissant...on top of your pricey room.
1. Breakfast in America (http://www.breakfast-in-america.com/) : Finally a Real Breakfast in Paris
I've never quite understood why breakfast is never included in French room rates but paying $20 for a pastry and teeny coffee is a bit galling no matter what the country (or language). Imagine my surprise when I found, "Breakfast in America" (http://www.breakfast-in-america.com/). I have two rituals when I go Paris: first, visiting the Impressionist Museum; and second, eating "the grand slam" at Breakfast in America. This great little breakfast outfit has two Paris locations on the left and right bank. I used take groups of Spyns client
s to their first location in the Latin Quarter (left bank) in Paris's east end but it was a bit far. They opened a new right bank location about 15 minutes from Notre Dame cathedral and I've been eating their flapjacks ever since. My advice to Spyns former clients is to skip your overpriced hotel breakfast and enjoy French toast, impossible-to-find-in-France bagels (with real cream cheese), or the omlette with ham & cheddar. Your bill will be about 15-17 euros (about $20-$25) but the English speaking help, fun atmosphere, and huge portions make the trip to either location well worth it. It's always crowded so do like I do and eat at the counter because the Parisians never do and there are usually 2-4 seats available. After breakfast, you should do some sightseeing and then plan dinner...
2. Medieval Times in Paris: Sergent Recruiter (http://www.lesergentrecruteur.com/)
Exhaustively reviewed and sometimes reviled, this Parisian bistro is one of my favourite restaurants. I have to start with a caveat that when Spyns former clients eat there with me, they love it. However, when they eat on their own, most hate it. Located on idyllic Ile-Saint-Louis (the small island just south of Notre Dame cathedral), this raucous Parisian bistro is the only "all you can
eat" restaurant I've found in Paris. Some clients invited me there for dinner in 2005 and I've been going back ever since. The decor is heavy on the wood, to a point that you could take a fire axe and hack away at your table for 15-20 minutes with no appreciable damage. The service is a bit "what the hell do you want" but it's all part of the atmosphere. I really don't know the owner's name but he's answered to "Pierre" for the past 4 years without incident - perhaps because he could never lift one of the 150 pound chairs to throw it at me. The first thing you notice upon entering is the noise because 1/3 of the restaurant consists of stag/doe parties taking place in the back of the restaurant. Another 1/3 are the "Rick Steeves" guide people, most straight out of an LL Bean catalogue, scared absolutely sh*tless because "Pierre" seats them close to the stag/doe groups. The remaining clients are mix of locals and well-traveled tourists out on the town for an amusing meal. The first thing you get is a big basket of veggies to make your own salad. Former Spyns clients always love seeing the vegetables because after a week of gourmet meals, sometimes you just want some cukes and tomatoes. The main course is about a 7/10, normally boeuf bourgignon or some other bistro staple, but wine comes with dinner and it's usually a great Bordeaux. I can't comment on the prices but I'll be in Paris in about 10 days doing pre-trip work for Spyns 2010 Tour de France trips and will provide an update. If you're looking for a quiet, romantic restaurant in Paris - steer clear. If you want a fun night on the town and the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream to make your own salad in France - Sergent Recruiter is the perfect choice.
For more information about our company or tours, please visit http://www.tdf-tours.com/, http://www.spyns.com/, or call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720 or via email info@spyns.com.
Like many Spyns former clients, I've come to know and love the city of lights. Paris is truly a must-see on any life's bucket list. It is a quite simply a jewel in the world's crown however that jewel loses its lustre somewhat because so many hotels and restaurants are priced for Middle Eastern Oil Sheiks or Russian Oligarchs. Oui, Paris hotels are ridiculously expensive. Not only do you get to pay upwards of $200/night for a standard room, you also get to enjoy a $20 croissant...on top of your pricey room.
1. Breakfast in America (http://www.breakfast-in-america.com/) : Finally a Real Breakfast in Paris
I've never quite understood why breakfast is never included in French room rates but paying $20 for a pastry and teeny coffee is a bit galling no matter what the country (or language). Imagine my surprise when I found, "Breakfast in America" (http://www.breakfast-in-america.com/). I have two rituals when I go Paris: first, visiting the Impressionist Museum; and second, eating "the grand slam" at Breakfast in America. This great little breakfast outfit has two Paris locations on the left and right bank. I used take groups of Spyns client
s to their first location in the Latin Quarter (left bank) in Paris's east end but it was a bit far. They opened a new right bank location about 15 minutes from Notre Dame cathedral and I've been eating their flapjacks ever since. My advice to Spyns former clients is to skip your overpriced hotel breakfast and enjoy French toast, impossible-to-find-in-France bagels (with real cream cheese), or the omlette with ham & cheddar. Your bill will be about 15-17 euros (about $20-$25) but the English speaking help, fun atmosphere, and huge portions make the trip to either location well worth it. It's always crowded so do like I do and eat at the counter because the Parisians never do and there are usually 2-4 seats available. After breakfast, you should do some sightseeing and then plan dinner...2. Medieval Times in Paris: Sergent Recruiter (http://www.lesergentrecruteur.com/)
Exhaustively reviewed and sometimes reviled, this Parisian bistro is one of my favourite restaurants. I have to start with a caveat that when Spyns former clients eat there with me, they love it. However, when they eat on their own, most hate it. Located on idyllic Ile-Saint-Louis (the small island just south of Notre Dame cathedral), this raucous Parisian bistro is the only "all you can
eat" restaurant I've found in Paris. Some clients invited me there for dinner in 2005 and I've been going back ever since. The decor is heavy on the wood, to a point that you could take a fire axe and hack away at your table for 15-20 minutes with no appreciable damage. The service is a bit "what the hell do you want" but it's all part of the atmosphere. I really don't know the owner's name but he's answered to "Pierre" for the past 4 years without incident - perhaps because he could never lift one of the 150 pound chairs to throw it at me. The first thing you notice upon entering is the noise because 1/3 of the restaurant consists of stag/doe parties taking place in the back of the restaurant. Another 1/3 are the "Rick Steeves" guide people, most straight out of an LL Bean catalogue, scared absolutely sh*tless because "Pierre" seats them close to the stag/doe groups. The remaining clients are mix of locals and well-traveled tourists out on the town for an amusing meal. The first thing you get is a big basket of veggies to make your own salad. Former Spyns clients always love seeing the vegetables because after a week of gourmet meals, sometimes you just want some cukes and tomatoes. The main course is about a 7/10, normally boeuf bourgignon or some other bistro staple, but wine comes with dinner and it's usually a great Bordeaux. I can't comment on the prices but I'll be in Paris in about 10 days doing pre-trip work for Spyns 2010 Tour de France trips and will provide an update. If you're looking for a quiet, romantic restaurant in Paris - steer clear. If you want a fun night on the town and the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream to make your own salad in France - Sergent Recruiter is the perfect choice.For more information about our company or tours, please visit http://www.tdf-tours.com/, http://www.spyns.com/, or call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720 or via email info@spyns.com.
