Today I had what I call a “Welcome To France” day. That expression came about a couple of years ago, when a friend who lives in Switzerland came to run in the Paris marathon. Except when he went to register, they told him he wasn’t registered even though he had a letter from them saying that he had indeed registered. And he wasn’t alone; there…
I’m a little confused. I just watched House Calls on CNN. Everyone agrees there’s a crisis in America, part of it being that 15% of the population is uninsured. But people keep saying they don’t want a system like in France because they didn’t want the government making decisions about their health care. Except in France, the government doesn’t make decisions about health care; your…
For some reason, people think I eat out all the time. I like eating in restaurants, but I really like to cook make for myself and friends. When I do, I get to pick and choose exactly what I’m going to make, what I’m going to put into it, and how to cook it. I become the proverbial free man in Paris. At least in…
I know some of you’ve been thinking; “When is David finally going to clean-up and organize his links page?” Well, that day has come and gone folks, and instead of the previous mish-mash of links added haphazardly, they’re now neatly organized into categories and specialties. I’ve added a couple—and given a few the heave-ho, especially the stale ones that are perhaps older than a few…
I’ve had so many requests for my Vietnamese-style caramelized ribs recipe, the kind you sometimes find in Vietnamese restaurants in Paris, particularly in Belleville as well as the Vietnamese restaurants in the 13th arrondissement, which is known as the quartier asiatique. Part of their appeal, of course, is the sticky, sweet-salty glaze. But with this recipe, don’t need a grill or any fancy equipment. You…
Over dinner the other night with a group of friends, I was talking about the excessive use of plastic bags in the world. I told them I easily recalled 20 years back, when traveling in Europe, it was just a given that you brought your own bag to the supermarket and shopping with you. Now, plastic bags are everywhere, but I like to re-use them….
If you’re coming to Paris and have special needs, such as access for a wheelchair, here is a list of resources that will help you plan your trip. Please note that I haven’t used many of these services, especially the tour operators, so ask as many questions of them in advance as you need to get the most information about the services they offer before…
If I had to name my favorite cuisine, it would be a toss-up between Vietnamese and Korean. Both offer charbroiled meats, pickled or marinated vegetables, and a lively and sometimes spicy array of seasonings. What’s not to like? Most unfamiliar foods become instantly accessible if you take a trip to a local shop to stock up on a few specific ingredients. It wasn’t until I…
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