Café du Palais, Place Palais de Justice, Nice
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Monday, February 28, 2011 • Paris, France
Last Wednesday in Nice, as you might recall, the day started out with breakfast on the Place Palais de Justice, watching the Niçois go about their daily affairs. (Read last week's Parler Paris here.)
Funny coincidence...because the apartment I found and on which I made an offer that was accepted before I left the Riviera on Thursday evening is, in fact, on the Place Palais de Justice! Little did I know that the dark green doorway next to the "Café du Palais" where I had a "café crème" and "tartine" before setting out to visit properties will become my little Riviera home-away-from home.
If you follow French Property Insider, then you are already up-to-date about how I went about searching and finding this jewel of an apartment and how I broke out in a middle-of-the-night anxiety attack over the fears of embarking on a property adventure in a strange place far away from home (isn't that exactly what every one of our clients goes through when they make the decision to buy a property in France?). (Catch up, if you like, and read all about it at French Property Insider/ and be sure to subscribe to FPI -- it's free!)
The two-room 35-square-meter apartment with views on the Place and the Clock Tower of the Palais Rusca already has a name: "Le Palais du Soleil!" The wheels are in motion to sign the "Compromis de Vente" (pre-sale agreement), and another trip to Nice is planned with our Interior Architect, Martine di Matteo, to develop the new floor plan and begin the renovation process. You are sure to hear more about this adventure as time goes on (and the fears subside).
I returned from Nice a few pounds heavier, thanks to the "Socca," the pastas and the fabulous dining -- at such local Niçois restaurants as the tiny "La Merenda," one short block from the Place (4, rue Raoul Bosio, with no phone -- so, stop by to make your reservation!) run by Dominique le Stanc, the former chef at the Negresco Hotel, and "La Petite Maison" (11, Rue Saint François de Paule), just one more block away run by Nicole Rubi, who was presented this past June with the insignia of "Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur" by the Mayor of Nice for her gastronomic style.
It's a good thing that the Nice apartment, as does my Paris apartment, has three flights of stairs to help keep a foodie such as myself 'slim and trim.' When we moved to Paris, the cooking at home began to wane as the dining out became more routine. With about 5000 restaurants in the City of Light, there was no shortage of new culinary delights to experience. Over the years, the refrigerator became emptier as the list of restaurants grew longer. And with a limited budget, finding inexpensive ways of satisfying the dining out habit became a priority.
In 1996, the list of restaurants that began just for friends became the first for sale online electronic restaurant guide to Paris with 50 such dining spots and a personal description of why each was worth a trip. It grew over time, of course, and naturally changed as I discovered new and better restaurants that one could count on for a great meal at a less-than-great price -- the kind of restaurant you expect from Paris: French, hearty, satisfying, classic, non-touristed, affordable, friendly...,etc. It was not such a sacrifice to dine out every day to get to know them!
Every year I have kept a record of the dining out on a spreadsheet that tracks where, when and how much was spent. Last year's report was just completed at about the same time that an article appeared titled "Where Do NYC Foodies Spend Their Dough?" -- noting that "the top 10% of New York's restaurant fiends spend $27,000 eating out?!"
Why am I not surprised!? According to the article about New Yorkers, "the top 10% of restaurant spenders drop an average of $2,247 every month eating out and the median is a whopping $447." That equates to $26,964 for the top 10% and $5,364 a year for the average diner.
Well, I've got them beat, but nowhere near the top 10% -- because remember, I learned how to eat out on the cheap (not to mention well)! According to my spreadsheet, in 2010, I had 346 meals in restaurants (6.7 per week) at an average cost of $28.31 (bet the New Yorkers can't beat that!) for a total of $9,794.50 for the year.
Sure, that's a healthy budget, but keep in mind that the grocery bills consist of toilet paper and cleaning products and that fresh food purchases are never wasted! And most importantly is the ability to enjoy what the City of Light has to offer in gastronomy, one of its main attributes. No visit to Paris should end without great dining memories. Wouldn't you agree?
The restaurant guide has taken many names and many forms over the years, having been published by three different publishers, including myself. Now it's in the newest and most exciting version ever, thanks to www.TapBooks.org and the world of electronic publishing as applications for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, plus digital formats for the Kindle and iBookstore!
Under the new name of "Adrian Leeds Top 100 Cheap Insider Paris Restaurants," it proves that you don’t need to be rich to dine well –
you just need to be in the know! Imagine having a choice of my favorite good-value restaurants at the touch of your iPhone or iPad? How simple is that!?
TapBooks is a new venture by Paris colleague and author, Karen Henrich, of La Nuit Blanche Tours (www.nuitblanchetours.com)..."
These guides are just the beginning for TapBooks!...and for you lovers of France who want more insider information, so be sure to keep an eye out on what's in store at TapBooks by subscribing to the blog.
In addition to TapBooks, International Living has just launched its newest version of "France: The Owner's Manual," edited and updated by Schuyler Hoffman and myself -- a comprehensive guide and the only reference book you need on your proverbial shelf to turn your dream of moving to France into reality.
We're living it. You can, too. Just take our insider advice and find out for yourself...electronically!
A la prochaine...
Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
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P.S. To learn about all three guides and to place your orders now visit: Adrian Leeds Marketplace
P.P.S. Take note of two important events:
March 8th when Kathleen Spivak speaks about "How to Write Well and Get Published" at Parler Paris Après-Midi! Visit parlerparis/apresmidi for more information...
And March 12th when Parler Parlor celebrates its 13th Anniversary with cake and special discounts when you sign up. Visit parlerparlor for more information...
