Extravigator - A Mini Grand Tour Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:42:48 -0400 http://extravigator.com/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.1.4 & Feed Publisher A Mini Grand Tour http://extravigator.com/discussion/101/?Focus=454#Comment_454 http://extravigator.com/discussion/101/?Focus=454#Comment_454 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:15:42 -0500 henryseedrichards Hi everyone. I'm heading off for a mini tour of France and Spain in a shiny new Land Rover Discovery in February. Very exciting. We could have flown out and just lay around in the winter sun of southern Spain, but we've decided to do a spot of skiing, finally give the Georges V in Paris a whirl, and possibly even hit the Champagne region. Does anyone have any hotel or restaurant tips for any of the following:
- Paris (staying at Georges V, so foodie tips – cheap or Michelin starred)
- Champagne region
- Courchevel or Chamonix (have already been to the excellent AmanResort property, Le Mélézin, so any other tips would be hugely appreciated)
- Barcelona (have done Hotel Arts too many times to mention)
- Madrid

Thank you!

]]> A Mini Grand Tour http://extravigator.com/discussion/101/?Focus=456#Comment_456 http://extravigator.com/discussion/101/?Focus=456#Comment_456 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:50:22 -0500 pinb Of course Le Mélézin is great, though if you are looking for something different in Courchevel, look into Hotel Byblos Des Neiges. I believe that it is (or was) the sister hotel to Byblos St. Tropez. In any case, you'll find it at the foot of the Three Valleys, just above the slopes of Courcheval 1850. I'm having trouble finding a website for it, and I think it may in the process of changing hands at the moment.

A much anticipated newcomer to Courcheval is the Cheval Blanc, located on the Jardin Alpin Slope and complete with suites, a pool, two restaurants, private chalets and a Givenchy spa. It's the first hotel for Bernard Arnault — the CEO of LMVH. I of course haven't had the change to go just yet, but it looks absolutely beautiful. Indeed, the do have a very nice website with carefully crafted photos: http://www.chevalblanc.com/

]]> A Mini Grand Tour http://extravigator.com/discussion/101/?Focus=494#Comment_494 http://extravigator.com/discussion/101/?Focus=494#Comment_494 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:05:30 -0500 snapper Henry, I keep a list I've put together of the top restaurants in Paris, by Arrondissement. I don't know which part of Paris you'll be frequenting, so the list is a real variety.

These are restaurants that I would like to go to at some point in my life. While I can't attest to the majority of these restaurants, each of them were recommended to me by friends and various articles that I have read over the years. Enjoy, and let me know if you try any of these!

In general, most of the restaurants on this list are pricey, especially those in the 8th arrondissement. But, the ones I have placed comments next to are actually very reasonable. As you can see, I am working my way up. But, rest assured, I have heard wonderful things about the food at all of them.

1st ARRONDISSEMENT
Le Grand Véfour, http://relaischateaux.com/vefour
Chez la Vieille (1, rue Bailleul, 01 42 60 15 78) - casual, old world, homecooking, open for lunch, dinner only serverd Thurs

4th ARRONDISSEMENT
L'Ambroisie, http://ambroisie-placedesvosges.com

5th ARRONDISSEMENT
Au Moulin à Vent, http://au-moulinavent.com/ - Casual bistro atmosphere

7th ARRONDISSEMENT
Le Voltaire, (27, quai Voltaire, 01 42 61 17 49)
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, http://joel-robuchon.com - I love L'Atelier. Some of the best food in Paris and one of my most memorable meals. You must go here! Note that they only take reservations for their first seating.

8th ARRONDISSEMENT
Guy Savoy, http://guysavoy.com
Michel Rostang, http://michelrostang.com
Alain Ducasse au Palaza Athénée, http://alain-ducasse.com
Les Ambassadeurs, http://crillon.com
Ledoyen, http://www.ledoyen.com
Senderens, http://senderens.fr
Spoon Food & Wine, http://spoon.tm.fr
Laurent, http://www.le-laurent.com
Pierre Gagnaire, http://pierre-gagnaire.com
Lasserre, http://guysavoy.com
Le Stresa, (7, rue Chambiges, 01 47 23 51 62) - Excellent and highly recommended, but difficult to get reservations
Ladurée, http://laduree.fr (a few of these around Paris, fabulous pastries and breakfasts)

12th ARRONDISSEMENT
Le Square Trousseau, (1, rue Antoine Vollon, 01 43 43 06 00) a wonderful authentic bistro

Anyone else who has recommendations should add them below!

]]> A Mini Grand Tour http://extravigator.com/discussion/101/?Focus=526#Comment_526 http://extravigator.com/discussion/101/?Focus=526#Comment_526 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:17:47 -0500 WHS Love l'Atelier! Do lunch at Les Ambassadeurs in the hotel Crillon.

]]> A Mini Grand Tour http://extravigator.com/discussion/101/?Focus=591#Comment_591 http://extravigator.com/discussion/101/?Focus=591#Comment_591 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:30:54 -0500 henryseedrichards Snapper, I shall sit down with a glass of wine at my computer and go through your suggestions. Only a few days to go, so I'm hoping to get some last minute tables... hopefully the concierge at George V will pull a few strings on my behalf.

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