The Concierges’ Gazette

Exhibitions
Until August 18th, the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris is devoting the most important retrospective ever presented to Keith Haring. Famous as a subversive and militant Pop icon, he often stayed in Paris. The 250 exhibited pieces on canvas, tarpaulins and from subway walls show the causes he was fighting against: racism, homophobia, violence, the AIDS epidemic, …

At the Musée de l’Orangerie, you will discover Les Macchiaioli 1850 – 1874 – Italian impressionists? This group of rebellious artists, coming from Tuscany, was at the origin of a new form of pictorial expression which broke with the academic creations, and is considered as the first modern Italian painters. Until July 22nd.

Ballet
Until June 3rd, the Opéra Garnier invites us to admire the reinterpretations of some of the most famous classical ballets: The Firebird by Béjart, Debussy and Mallarmé’s Faune by Nijinsky and then Robbins, and finally Ravel’s Bolero by the visual artist Marine Abramovic and the choreographers Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet, their first production for the Opéra Ballet.

Restaurants
Go to La Bastille and discover le Café Français, the newest Costes spot.The décor has been imagined by Indira Madhavi: different areas, each with its own atmosphere, one bar and one lounge will welcome you, whereas the cuisine, supervised by Jean-François Piège and Thierry Burlot, will delight you: marinated Tosazu salmon, hard-boiled egg with mayonnaise, burrata cheese, poached green asparagus, Colbert whiting with tartare sauce, farm hen from the Armoise cour, sirloin steak with matchstick potatoes, Paris-Brest, giant chocolate éclair, … The finest products to celebrate the renewal of the Parisian brasserie! 35 to 65 Euro. Open every day from 7 am to 2 am. 3 place de la Bastille – 4th.

Back from South Africa when he spent some years, Christophe Chabanel (ex La Dînée and Le Dandrelin) has just opened his new restaurant: Invictus. A traditional and simple cuisine which will offer you a delicious experience! Royal-style chestnuts, foie gras and poultry emulsion ; poached smoked haddock, baked potatoes, juice with chives ; raspberry and pistachio financier, … Menu at 21 Euro for lunch and 25 Euro or 32 Euro for dinner. Open from Tuesday to Saturday (dinner only on Saturdays). 5 rue Sainte Beuve, 6th.

Exhibitions
The Musée d’Orsay presents “L’ange du bizarre. Le romantisme noir de Goya à Max Ernst”. “Black romanticism” is a delightfully ominous term to characterize a movement that started with creations of the late 18th century themed around the hidden part of progress, irrational and made of shadows, occult and mystery. Spectrums, witches, demons, atrocities of war and funeral landscapes are displayed in about 200 artworks (paintings, graphic arts, sculptures and cinematographic works). Until June 9th.

The Musée National de la Marine dedicates an exhibition to the most popular painter of Brittany in the 20th century: Mathurin Meheu. Painter of the sea and of the life at sea, he was officially named “Painter of the French Navy” in 1921. Until June 30th, we are invited to discover his multiples talents as a painter, illustrator, sculptor and decorator.

Opera
The Opera Garnier has programmed a new production of Hansel & Gretel by Humperdinck, who was Wagner’s assistant. This masterpiece inspired by the Tales of the Grimm brothers is characterized by a continuous melody and children songs. Following this famous story of a brother and sister, trapped by a witch in a gingerbread house, will without a doubt bring back your childhood memories! From April 14th to May 6th.

Restaurants
And… three! After La Régalade we all know, and La Régalade Saint Honoré, it is now also at La Régalade Conservatoire that you will be able to taste Bruno Doucet’s cuisine. This time, the decoration is contemporary and has been imagined by Wilmotte. The famous “welcome terrine” and the 35-Euro menu can be found here as well. Among the suggestions: Leek-vinaigrette and duck foie gras, carpaccio of scallops, lighly salted cod, veal breast, pig breast like a petit salé, Grand Marnier soufflé, rice cake (a must!)… to savour with good and reasonably priced wines.
At nr 7-9 rue du Conservatoire, 9th.

After ravishing us at L’Armani Caffè, Ivan Schenatti opens his own restaurant: Officina Shcnatti. Dishes have been created with some of the best Italy has to offer: Chestnut velvety soup and pan-sautéed king prawns with Colonnata lard, Fried artichokes a la Romana with horseradish spuma, Preserved eel, thyme lemon, Roman puntarella, black radish and bagna cauda sauce, Beef carpaccio with Trevise Radicchio lettuce, stewed cherry-tomato and parmesan… As for gnocchi and pasta –among which the real Carbonara-, they are house-made with organic flour. Ice-creams are minute-made. A good and fresh cuisine we recommend. Menu at 24.90 Euro, 55 Euro à la carte. Open Mon-Sat from noon to 3pm and 7pm to 11pm.
15 Rue Frédéric Sauton, 5th.

Exhibitions
The Woman seen by Linder Sterling, known as Linder, is honored at the Musée d’Art Moderne. Through three main axes that are visual arts, music and fashion, this British artist breaks the image of the ideal woman by denouncing the violence made to her. 200 works are presented by the artist who used a large range of materials, as varied as original. Until April 21th.

Until June 30th, the Musée Marmottan Monet pays tribute to Marie Laurencin and presents her works for the first time in France. Inspired by her friends such as Jean Cocteau, Paul Poiret or Jacques Doucet, she is very well-known for her portraits and is considered as the most famous painter of the 20th century.

Opera
After having bid farewell twice, and liberated from the rules, Verdi imagined Falstaff, an opera in three acts. The Opéra Bastille delights us with this lyric comedy, inspired by Arrigo Boito and William Shakespeare. This masterpiece retraces the escapades of an old penniless and pot-bellied knight and Verdi continues to make us laughing. Until March 24th.

Restaurants
Goust, the long-awaited restaurant of the Eléphant Paname, gallery space dedicated to culture in a Napoleon III-era Mansion, has opened its doors and is already a great success! Enrico Bernardo -elected World’s Best Sommelier 2004- welcomes you in his second Parisian restaurant, after the already famous Il Vino. The Chef José Manuel Miguel, who was trained at Le Bristol, offers a choice of fine dishes with Mediterranean accents: Tuna Tartare, mango egg; Bar filet, zucchini, shells and lobster bisque; Pork filet mignon, Espelette chili. According to your choice, the sommeliers will find THE wine that suits it best.
Open from Tuesday to Saturday, from noon to 3pm and from 7:00pm to midnight. 10, rue Volney, Paris 2ème.

Also, you can now shop as Starred Chefs in the upscale grocery shop, Terroirs d’Avenir, where a large range of unusual products is proposed at soft prices. While we expect the opening of the sandwich bar “Frenchie to Go” by Grégoire Marchand from the Frenchie restaurant, discover the treasures of this street that is about to become the most gourmet of Paris. 6-7-8 rue du Nil, Paris 2ème. 

As per the Michelin Guide 2013 edition, here are the newly starred Parisian restaurants:
La Dame de Pic, the new adress of Anne-Sophie Pic
L’Instant d’Or, Avenue George V.
La Taverne du Sergent Recruteur, on the “ Ile Saint Louis”, 4th district.
Itinéraires, in the heart of the Latin Quarter.
114 Faubourg, the Luxury Brasserie of the Bristol Hotel.
La Cuisine et Le Carpaccio, the 2 restaurants of the Royal Monceau hotel.

Exhibitions
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs presents Fashioning Fashion, two centuries of European fashion, 1700-1915 with the remarkable collections of Martin Kamer and Wolfgang Ruf, both antique dealers and collectors of ancient costumes and fabriks. You will discover complete male and female outfits that retrace the main trends in fashion in Europe from the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th, in France, Italy and England. Until April 14th.

From February 14th, the Petit Palais pays an homage to Felix Ziem with “J’ai aimé le Beau” Paintings and watercolours. Felix Ziem was a friend of the Barbizon painters and a travel-lover. He seduced his buyers who dreamt of Venice and Constantinople by admiring his paintings where water and sky took a large place. He ended his career in Montmartre near Picasso’s studio and died one century ago.

Dance
Back to the forties in Argentina and Buenos Aires with Tango Pasion, a worldwide success since 20 years. The 32 scenes are enhanced by the El Sexteto orchestra and a new generation of dancers, who offer traditional tango choreographies as well as contemporary versions. At the Folies Bergère until February 17th.

Show – Circus
Do not miss Calacas, the new horse show by the famous Bartabas. A joyfully macabre show in which skeletons ride horses, accompanied by a funny music of drums, Mexican bands and the barrel organ. Extra time until the end of February at the Fort d’Aubervilliers.

Restaurants
Septime la Cave has just opened, just near the nice bistro Septime. This is a new “bar to eat” which offers very good bottles of wine that you can appreciate with olives from Kalamata, anchovies from Cantabrique and ricotta, pancetta, dry sausages, foie gras and eel, smoked duck fillet or old Comté cheese (from 4 to 14 Euro per plate). A good place for an aperitif before a dinner at Septime (if you have not the cahnce to finish your bootle, take it with you!). Opened from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 am to 10 pm. 3 rue Basfroi, Paris 11th. Tel: +33 1 43 67 74 87

The Bistro de la Muette changed names and is now the Grand Bistro de la Muette, managed by Willy Dorr. Discover the full menus, for lunch or dinner (42 and 69 Euro), and  enjoy the very good products like the baby artichoke from Paimpol with Scottish salmon and a poached egg, the scallops from Chausey Island, the Breton lobster or the prime rib of beef from Hugo Desnoyer. The bread comes from Poujauran, the butter from Bordier, the cheese from Anne-Marie Cantin, and the wines are delicious and not expensive. A new good address! Opened every day, from noon to 2.30 pm and from 7 pm to 10.30 pm. 10 Chaussée de la Muette, Paris 16th. Tel: +33 1 45 67 07 27

Exhibitions

Until February 10th, the Nave at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs will be the beautiful setting of the most prestigious creations of Van Cleef & Arpels. More than 400 pieces, from 1906 to nowadays, will highlight all the daring of this legendary jewellery house, famous for its technical inventions combined with imagination. An emblematic style for unique gems.

Design in Africa, Sitting, lying down and dreaming at the Musée Dapper displays objects that are used as supports for the human body. From their conception, based on the study of the attitudes and the movements, to their creativity, this exhibition shows the dialogue between the form and the function, for objects either comfortable or prestigious. Until July 14th.

Ballet

To discover an original version of Don Quichotte, do not miss Don Quichotte du Trocadéro at the Théâtre de Chaillot. With his very humoristic choreography, José Montalvo revisits Cervantes’ classical masterpiece by combining the movements of the commedia dell’arte with the bodily practices of urban and modern dance. Until February 8th.

Restaurants

A lot of prize lists with the best new restaurants have just been published. Here are the favourite addresses of the Figaroscope, a good reference:

“Top of the class” category: Le Sergent Recruteur, for a modern cuisine in a modern décor.
“Star system” category: La Dame de Pic, by Anne-Sophie Pic (3-star-awarded restaurant in Valence).
“Monomaniac” category: Coq Rico, for poultries cooked in many styles!
“Brasserie is back” category: La Cantine du Troquet Dupleix, Etchebest’s new address.
“Week-end” category: Ma Cocotte, at the flea market, for Starck’s setting.
“Good cellar, nice features” category: Pirouette, a modern bistrot with very talented chefs.
“There will be blood” category: Beef Club, for a rare meat and a trendy bar.
“Almost there” category: Terroir Parisien, by Yannick Alléno, with products from the Parisian region.
“Paris, country-style” category: Auberge Flora Mikula, new address for this famous lady chef, dedicated to luxury tapas.

Exhibitions

Le Louvre organizes an unprecedented exhibition devoted to Raphaël and his work during the seven last years of his short life. Among the hundred of paintings, drawings and church altarpieces, some are masterpieces exposed for the first time in France. An extraordinary exhibition which shows the extent of involvement of Raphael and his 2 main disciples from 1513 to 1524. Until January 14^th.

 The Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain highlights Yue Minjun. This Chinese artist, very low profile despite his reputation, reinvents the grotesque and its codes and expresses a disillusioned and ironic vision of contemporary China. This is the first major exhibition dedicated to him in Europe. Until March 17^th.

Opera

Directed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle who was one of the greatest opera directors of the 20^th century, La Cenerentola is presented at the Opera Garnier until February 27^th. This Cinderella, inspired by Charles Perrault’s tale and on a music by Rossini, is a smiling production full of grace. Ponnelle’s and Rossini’s geniuses put together for a masterpiece. 

The Fooding Guide 2013 Awards have been published. And the Parisian winners are:

 Fooding of the best table: Roseval (1 rue d’Eupatoria, 20^th)
Fooding of Love: Abri (92 rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière, 10^th)
Fooding of the best counter: Pierre Sang in Oberkampf (55 rue Oberkampf, 11^th)
Fooding of the best broth : Chez Mamane (27 rue des Cinq Diamants, 13^th)
Fooding of the best sandwich: CheZaline (85 rue de la Roquette, 11^th)
Fooding of the best decor: Pan (12 rue Martel, 10^th)