The Art of Eating

As promised, I have put together my list of what I consider the best "museum" eateries here in Paris.  All worth a visit if you happen to be in need of a break while taking in the overwhelming amount of beauty this city has at its disposal. 

The least spectacular but certainly the most quintessentially old world French would be the Tea Room at the Musée de la Vie Romantique.  Found in the seldom visited 9th arrondissement, it is worth the trek to get here.  The hôtel particular was originally owned by Ary Scheffer, a prominent artist in the 1830's.  Here he would host Friday evening "salons" inviting the likes of George Sand, Frederic Chopin and artists Delacroix and Ingres.  Not bad dinner company.

Today the museum showcases mementos belonging to George Sand, along with paintings done by various artists of the period.  This tea room, actually more of a solarium, serves light meals, and sweet treats in a lovely garden setting.  It easily transports the visitor back in time.  

Going through the Musée d'Orsay is one of my most favorite things to do.  I never tire of their collection and now having gone through a renovation last year, it is more intimate, giving new life to its masterpieces.  

While the museum is home to two cafés, it's this one on the mezzanine level that I love taking visitors to.  The splendor that surrounds you is worth sitting for a cup of coffee.  The food isn't the best but the wine list makes up for that.  And the service, contrary to what one expects in France has always been friendly and welcoming. 

Musée Jacquemart-André, I think, is underrated as far as destinations in Paris go.  The romantic story behind its history is worth discovering.  This collection is a miniature version of the Louvre...the  collectors,  Edouard André and his wife, Nelié Jacquemart, travelled around the world to bring back works of art through the ages.  The museum is housed in their home, a Haussmanian mansion which is as significant as the art it holds.  

The home's magnificent dining room has been transformed into one the most beautiful tea rooms in Paris.  So much so, that Parisians choose to meet here for lunch or brunch on the weekends.  Not your typical tourist destination.  I would of course recommend going through the entire space but if time doesn't allow, this café is worth a visit.  

  

Next post, three more suggestions ... and I'm limiting myself!!  There is no end to the places one needs to visit here.  

H

  

Master Pieces: Art and Culinary Fusion

Frank Restaurant at the AGO in Toronto

Terzo Piano in the Modern Wing at The Art Institute of Chicago

Le Georges at Centre Georges Pompidou

Nerua at the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao

I love a lot of things but two things high on my list .... great museums and eating.  

Or maybe eating and great museums.  Doesn't matter the order I suppose.  Both are wonderful and for me, both are vital.

In today's art world it is becoming the norm that the best museums are home to some amazingly creative fine dining.  World class chefs are being wooed by world class museums to create their own culinary "masterpieces".   Enjoying works of art from the grand masters and being able to take a break over an artfully prepared meal and glass of wine enhances the whole experience.  These restaurants are becoming destinations in their own right whether one enters the museum or not.

Departures Magazine just came out with an article showcasing what they consider to be the top 10 museum restaurants in the world.  The ones featured here are those that I've been lucky enough to eat at.  And I highly recommend each one.  Frank's in Toronto and Nerua in Balbao would share top honors in my book.  Le Georges can't be beat for the view.

Here's a link to the article and next week I'll share some of my personal favorites found right here in Paris.

Good weekend everyone
H

Cuba In Color: Part 2

Cuba In Color

My heritage is Cuban.  I was born here in the states but my parents fled Havana when everyone was fleeing.  Left behind their life, all of it really, to start over here in the U.S.  Even though I was raised here, I think in and speak Spanish within my family.  Often times, Spanish comes easier for me than English.  Or at least, concepts appear to me in Spanish and I work to find the word in English instead of vice versa.

Back in 2011, I was lucky enough to visit the country for the first time.   Not what I expected.  Or maybe it was but just not prepared.   The dusty, decaying remains of former grandeur were evident everywhere we went.  In spite of all this, the faces that greeted us were beautiful, curious and friendly.

I'll post some of those shots next time.

H

Musée d'Orsay vs Musée du Louvre

 The iconic clock at Musée d'Orsay

A hidden stairway in the Louvre

Two of my favorite photos of my favorite places to get lost in for an afternoon.  No matter how many times I visit the Orsay or the Louvre,  I always walk away having discovered something new. 

Which museum to you prefer?  

Here in Paris, everyone has a pretty strong opinion one way or the other and could argue about it for hours. 

Welcome to France!

H

Design Inspirations

Gaudi's Casa Batiló in Barcelona

Tjep's Recession Chair at Ventura Lambrate 

Appointment Board at Warby Parker in New York

I've been on the road traveling to be with family.  Not necessarily glamorous travel, but the best kind of travel.  Downtime in numerous airports had me on Pinterest or following news feeds and websites that I like to visit.  These are a few of my favorites.

Casa Batiló, designed by Antonia Gaudi, was initially a private residence for textile industrialist, Josep Batiló.  Located in Barcelona, it took over two years to build and has become an iconic symbol for the city. Today, it's a museum and public space available for events.  Having visited it on one of my trips to this city, it is as spectacular as it looks.  Certainly worth some time if you happen to be headed that way.

Tiep, a collaborative design studio in Amsterdam, whose mission is to "add energy and optimism to the world",  presented the chair that you see at the recent Ventura Lambrate design show.  The show held every April in Milan, showcases what the industry considers to be the best and most creative design for the upcoming year.  This chair, reminding me of a Giacometti sculpture does just that.  And, you just have to love a company with such an inspiring underlying philosophy.

Warby Parker is changing the way we "see" things when it comes to eye wear.  I love their revolutionary spirit of creating boutique-style eye wear for a fraction of the cost. Their flagship store in Soho is where you can find this great appointment board letting everyone know who's up next to see the doctor.  Very 60's Mad Men I think.  Frames start at about $95 and all have a sleek retro vibe to them.  A company with a conscience, they've partnered with non-profits around the world ensuring that for every pair of Warby Parker glasses sold, a pair is donated to those in need.  Nice.

Finally, this video fascinated me to the point of having to watch it several times to take it all in.  Micro art...I don't know how anyone has the patience for this.  Or the eyes (enter Warby Parker!) but it is something special.  I think a hand-painted watch face would be a spectacular gift.

Wishing everyone a good week.
H

Le Louvre: All By Oneself

Path of Beauty from Florent Igla on Vimeo.

This NEVER happens.

Having the Louvre entirely to oneself is certainly a "dream" come true.
For those of you who have never been, watching this gave me goosebumps as it is so moving ... from walking through the inner courtyard at the Pyramid to climbing the stairs with the "Winged Victory" waiting at the top.  This video, actually, no video can capture its true magnificence.

I hope all you dreamers wanting to see it get that chance in your lifetime.

Wonderful weekend.

H

Willy Rizzo and Chanel

Willy Rizzo, a transplanted Italian, came to Paris in the 30's, discovered a passion for photography and created a career for himself that took him from taking portraits of friends and family to photographing the most famous people and events of our time.

Working during the golden age of photojournalism, he worked with the likes of Bridget Bardot, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.  He was the last person to photograph Marilyn Monroe just two weeks before her death.  During his time at France Dimanche and Paris Match, he was the one covering the Cannes Film Festival, giving him access to all of Hollywood.

His small gallery in the 7th arrondissement is a revolving door of expositions centered on his famous photographs.  Most recently was this exhibit focused around Coco Chanel.  Candid shots of all the behind the scene activity in her salon on Rue Cambon, as well as, photos of her in the Tuilleries gardens and her apartment were part of the retrospective.  It was an intimate look into a golden era that unfortunately, no longer exists.

If you get the chance, be sure to put his gallery on your to-do list.

H