Happy Chinese New Year everyone! I just discovered that I did not finish blogging about my trip last year to Paris even though I had uploaded the pics long …
Happy Chinese New Year everyone!
I just discovered that I did not finish blogging about my trip last year to Paris even though I had uploaded the pics long time ago! I just needed to fill in the captions and describe the day. So i am ploughing through, since I've already prepped the pics! Hopefully I can remember what went on! Will keep it short, but sweet. Hope you enjoy :)
5 June 2011
Woke up bright and early with the plan to visit the Louvre. We did, but completely did not have enough time to finish everything.
Taking a breakfast before we start the day! It's insane how pricey breakfasts are in France. Perhaps we were in the Louvre/touristy area and didn't know where to go, but they like to charge an arm AND a leg for a cup of orange juice. Like seriously, its just sour orange coloured liquid! But well, when in paris, do as parisians does..
After Laduree, we hopped to Galleries Lafayette for a quick peak. Then we went to meet up with Ben and Malika again at the Palais Royale Metro. This time, to get bubble tea! They call it 'zen zu' tea there, and this stall is run by Taiwanese, it was so strange to speak with them in mandarin. Hurhur.
We ordered the pea soup and beef carpaccio (?) for starters to share. Both were absolutely delicious.
I just discovered that I did not finish blogging about my trip last year to Paris even though I had uploaded the pics long time ago! I just needed to fill in the captions and describe the day. So i am ploughing through, since I've already prepped the pics! Hopefully I can remember what went on! Will keep it short, but sweet. Hope you enjoy :)
5 June 2011
Woke up bright and early with the plan to visit the Louvre. We did, but completely did not have enough time to finish everything.
Taking a breakfast before we start the day! It's insane how pricey breakfasts are in France. Perhaps we were in the Louvre/touristy area and didn't know where to go, but they like to charge an arm AND a leg for a cup of orange juice. Like seriously, its just sour orange coloured liquid! But well, when in paris, do as parisians does..
When we were done, its time to join the queue. There were 2 ducks swimming leisurely.
Saw the Mona Lisa or La Jaconde, it was underwhelming but I had expected that. This was the crowd in that room. It's so small, the painting! Compared to the colossal painting that is right opposite of the Mona Lisa.
Had to take this shot.
Walls and walls are filled with these gorgeous french paintings. this is what happens when people don't have television and internet.
We both quite liked this very dramatic and famous painting called The Intervention of the Sabine Woman by Jacques-Louis David.
This was the view outside one of the windows. As you can see, a lovely day!
A collage of the things we browsed through as we practically ran through the museum. The egyptian collection's really interesting, and so was Napolean's chambers.
Next up, we met with our french ex-colleague, Fabian, to have lunch at Ave Montaigne!
The food was quite good, but for the life of me I cannot remember the bistro's name. Not famous, then.
We then made our way around more of Paris, and was at the Place de la Concorde.
We then took a train to see the Notre Dame Cathedral! Finally!
It's a really cool church, and I really like the area around it with all the art stalls.
We then walked across the river to find the acclaimed Shakespeare and Co., which turned out to be a very american indie bookstore. It was a shame, since we were expecting a quaint french one. Still, quite a good place to hang out! They have their own memorabilia too.
Next up, nearby.. the most famous ice cream shop in Paris - Berthillon! Scott read about this in the NYT as one of the must-try of the city. Of course we are there.
Look at all the amazing flavours!
We were not disappointed, it was super good. Bring me back there, s'il vous plait..
We then walked around more, and ended up at the Le Marais area again, I think. I had a salidou crepe during our tea time. After that we bade adieu to Fabian, and continued our way again! He was so sweet to meet up with us to show us around the city!
We went to the 2nd most famous macaron shop of the city. Ladurée! It recently went up in flames, literally, which made me really sad, but they seemed to have recovered from it, and also have started expanding their business into makeup. Which is strange since its macarons to makeup, but clever to use their super pretty packaging to the fullest!
Just like Pierre Herme, they have super colourful yummilicious macarons on display. Look at all the boxes behind that the lady is packing! Their mint green packaging with the floral design is really the Tiffany & Co. of Paris.
So we had to try them. They tasted good, but not as good as Pierre Herme!
After Laduree, we hopped to Galleries Lafayette for a quick peak. Then we went to meet up with Ben and Malika again at the Palais Royale Metro. This time, to get bubble tea! They call it 'zen zu' tea there, and this stall is run by Taiwanese, it was so strange to speak with them in mandarin. Hurhur.
This cup of bubble tea was like.. 4.50 euros? It's a lot! Most expensive cup of bbt I've ever drank, but at least the quality is not too bad.
We then walked to the Grand Palais with the hope of seeing an exhibition Ben said is cool.
Sadly, the exhibition is closed! What a bummer. Well, perhaps next time.
So we went for dinner instead, since it was already close to 8. It is at this restaurant that sells the BEST beef tartare in Paris. I'm not kidding. It's recommended by Parisians, and I vouch for it.
First we had some "zero pointe" wine. Very self-aware wine, this.
This is their menu board. No restaurant name, damn! I'll need to find that out.
We ordered the pea soup and beef carpaccio (?) for starters to share. Both were absolutely delicious.
Next up the main item. Beef tartare, in alllll its glory.
Some people might find it gross, but honestly its like having a beef sashimi. Even the dressing tastes a little bit like wasabi cos they use horse radish. But really, this beef tartare was so tender, so fresh and so sumptuous, just looking at it makes me wanna fly back to Paris already. Luckily (or not?) I am not a princess with a private jet.
And with that we ended Day 5 with a bloody and satisfying meal. Oh, this city has so much to give...
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Finally checked off Vanilla Cafe from my to-do list. This one is particularly hard to check off mainly because they are closed on Sundays, which is typically the time when I want to go have some brunch and coffee. So yesterday after my French class, we decided to finally head down to the empty ghost town of the CBD and checked it out.
It is a very small, cosy and quaint place. With a little hint of japanese minimalism in place, Olivia Ong soundtrack and the scent of vanilla candles.
Scattered around the cafes are old tin robots and knick knacks that gives this vanilla cafe a not so vanilla character.
On to the food! They have a delectable selection of finger food, to full-fledged meals, sandwiches and all-day breakfasts! Joy!
Prices are also quite reasonable. Around $8.50-9.50 for sandwich, with a top up option $1.80 for a coffee/tea or soft drink. Same goes for their all-day breakfasts, which is what I had. I ordered their All-English breakfast (9.90) and it was such a spread! Feast for the eyes, really. The items on the plate were all quite exquisite. In fact they look like those Japanese fake food they place outside restaurants. Quite enjoyed the bacon, which is just nicely cooked without being too dry/salty/oily. For a dinner (at 6.30pm), this is a rather unusual choice, but a good one!
In the background there is their famous Smoked Norwegian salmon with egg mayo sandwich (9.50). Apparently quite 'juicy' in the ciabatta bread, it was an easy item to have.
Next up, the cafe's star item and most unusual - the Vanilla Dirt Cake (8.90). It was served to us like this:
Vanilla Bar & Cafe
3 Boon Tat Street, #01-01 Singapore
Tel: +65 6423 0366
Mon–Thu: 10.30am – 11pm, Fri–Sat: 11am – 12am (Closed on Sun & PH)
Website
It is a very small, cosy and quaint place. With a little hint of japanese minimalism in place, Olivia Ong soundtrack and the scent of vanilla candles.
There are 2 'areas' to the cafe. A more casual sitting at the front.
And a more cosy inner sitting area. There seem also be an alfresco air well area outside for when there are more people.
I saw this plate on their shelves.
On to the food! They have a delectable selection of finger food, to full-fledged meals, sandwiches and all-day breakfasts! Joy!
In the background there is their famous Smoked Norwegian salmon with egg mayo sandwich (9.50). Apparently quite 'juicy' in the ciabatta bread, it was an easy item to have.
Next up, the cafe's star item and most unusual - the Vanilla Dirt Cake (8.90). It was served to us like this:
Imagine our expressions when we saw the flower pot and the 'dirt'! Haha. It is such a creative dessert. It's actually oreo crumbs on top of frozen vanilla ice cream with 2 gummy worms, served in a real flowerpot! Tasted like frozen McFlurry, to be honest, but it was quite a enjoyable dessert.
In conclusion - check this place out if you are around the area for a cuppa or a beer/martini (they do alcoholic drinks too) and have a bite too! The feedback on their houseblend coffee was also good - apparently it tastes quite unique/special so they are definitely not using Nespresso to brew their coffees. Go try it and let me know if you like!
Vanilla Bar & Cafe
3 Boon Tat Street, #01-01 Singapore
Tel: +65 6423 0366
Mon–Thu: 10.30am – 11pm, Fri–Sat: 11am – 12am (Closed on Sun & PH)
Website
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