Paris Tips by Ophir (Glossary of Terms)

When in Paris, prepare to walk - walk a lot...

Well, while walking the beautiful streets of the city, I was thinking that the best way for me to communicate my experiences, would be to write a short glossary of terms with my point of view on them.

So here goes...

Paris Tips - By Ophir

Food

L'Entrecote

When I was a kid, I think I was 4 years old, my parents took me to Europe. We went to all the best and recommended

places, and one of the trip's highlights was "L'Entrecote Paris" one very famous and busy restaurant in Paris. Well, after we waited for 4 hours we finally got a table and 2 minutes after yours truly was sound asleep.

As this experience never escapes my memory (nor do my parents forget to remind me every now and then...), I promised my self that every time I'm in Paris, i will command L'Entrecote for a meal. The thing is, that the promise is not hard to keep, as the restaurant never fails. It always amazes me how this very simple menu and same restaurant décor never fails; how such a simple salad, steak and fries can still be that good every time I visit.

Angelina (Heaven for desert lovers)

The Angelina Cafe is very touristy, in a very touristy area, with touristy prices. However, This is again, one of the very reasons (for me) to keep returning to Paris. The so unique hot African chocolate, with whipped cream; the "Le Monte Blanc" (chestnut cream desert), the atmosphere, the waitresses and floor managers who work there since ever and forever, the French décor, all make this place a must. Do NOT miss it.

Hotel Breakfast

In a small room, on a small table for two (60 cm diameter), with small glasses, small plates and small croissants; so tasteful, delicate, exact and simply right. Amazing how different it is from 5 star hotels with kilometers of buffet stands for breakfast but for me, this is the best.

Les Fontaines

Thanks Itay Shalit (AKA "2") for sending us there. Les Fontaines is a small Bistro near the Sorbon School with very good food and service. I had my first Fois Gras in his trip and it was very good.

Chez Janou

Thanks Vincent's sister for sending us to this very popular, crowded, busy restaurant in Marais. The place was absolutely full, people standing in line were practically eating my food but the ambience was so cool...Food was okay, no more.

Crepe

Every 5 meters a booth with a guy making Crepe. I personally recommend Nutella+Banana which is a killer combination (can also be effective as sugar level lifter or diabetic murder tool)

Ambience

Architecture

3rd time for me in Paris for the last 6 years, I'm still amazed with the architecture. Not sure whether locals completely understand their surrounding. Every simple building here could be the most impressive piece of rock in other cities I've seen, and every 3 blocks an amazing statue, church, tower, plaza or other amazing piece of work simple 'pops up" right in your face. All you got left to do it to be amazed.

Romance

Paris is Romantic and Sexy. Don't know what exactly about it, but it's a feeling you get just by walking don the streets.

People

People walk, shop, talk, eat, drink, and smoke. Don't you guys ever work??? (Not sure what the answer is....) Secondly, people dress so cool; people (both men and women) look GOOD.

Weather

Outdoor

Don't believe a word they say - weather is great.

Indoor (2 stops from Hell)

Once you step into a shop, the air conditioner "welcomes" you with the warm dry wind into your face. Taking into consideration that you are wearing 3 layers of cloths to keep warm from the outside cold and wind, this blow of heat can kill you instantly. (Imagine blowing a hair dryer into your face...)

Things to do

fnac (1 stop from Heaven)

I just needed a simple SD card for my camera. I ended up spoiling my video cam, my laptop and my PC with cool gadgets and widgets. fnac is a 4 story heaven for electronics lovers, geeks - and even for regular "late adopter" type people.

Pompidou

Personally, I prefer the outside of the building than the actual exhibitions inside. Looking around you will always find a young artist trying t make a living and/or be "found".

Walking

Paris is all about walking the streets, seeing, smelling and feeling. Bring good comfortable shoes and walk.

Arrangements

Mordi

Mordi is an Israeli guy. A great example of a personal entrepreneur who started nothing with nothing and came up with an empire of transfer services to and from the airports, with a fleet of cars and drivers.

For me, the amazing thing is that he remembers. 25 minutes X 2 ways 4 years ago, and he remembered me, my wife, our story and the street name where he took us that time. Amazing dude: +33-66-376-1330

Click "play" to view 4 minutes from me: