1741 Restaurant Review (Strasbourg, France)

1741 is the much hyped restaurant that recently opened in Strasbourg. Since everybody's talking about it, I had to review it and let me tell you right away: I was not disappointed.

First of all, the setting is absolutely stunning. The place is decorated with great taste and everything in this restaurant is about details. The staff is extremely professional and nice. The ubiquitous Hermès chinaware is just something that you wouldn't expect to see anywhere even in the most expensive restaurant in the world.

1741 consists of 4 floors amongst which the third one is a slightly more casual one which only serves a "surprise" menu prepared right next to you in the open kitchen located on the same floor.

1741 is, in my opinion, the restaurant that Strasbourg was lacking. It made me feel I was away from my hometown and eating at the trendiest place in New York City. There is no question as to if you should try it or not if you live in Strasbourg. So, here are some pictures of the exquisite food served there:

Well it started off with an excellent chip Pizza (who doesn't love chips and who doesn't love pizza?):

Followed by a cloud of morels & chive (Yummy):

Morgans Hotel Group Global Card Review

Here's a breakdown of the perks that Morgans Hotel Group Global Card holders are supposed to enjoy:

 Dedicated concierge to assist you with all of your needs before and during your stay
· Complimentary night at all of our new hotel openings around the world
· $100 in US Hotels or £100 in UK hotels for a standard room if available after 10PM
· Upgrades to the best available hotel accommodations upon arrival which include specialty suites
· Invitations to exclusive Global Card events, openings and special events throughout the year

· Access to all of our pools and beaches
· 20% discount at our Agua Spas
· Complimentary In Room Internet
· Complimentary Local Phone/Fax
· Late Check out
· Early Check-in
· Priority Check-in
· Direct escort to room
· Express check out
· Pre arrival email for Special Requests
· Customized Room
· Arrival/Welcome Gift
· Morning Newspaper
· Complimentary Gym Access
· Online Profile Management
· Access to Redemption Partners
· Access to Exclusive Offers
· Reservation Guarantee
· Direct Access to CEO

Disneyland Paris - New York Hotel

My wife, daughter and I went to Disneyland Paris last week-end. We did enjoy our stay and had great time there!

We got there at 1 am for our first, and obviously very short, night at the Holiday Inn Hotel at Disneyland Paris. We had booked a regular room, and probably thanks to my Priority Club Platinum status, were upgraded to a kids' suite which was rather big with a small separate room for our daughter. The buffet breakfast included in the rate was good and we must say that for less than 200 euros for the night, this was a pretty good deal.

After that breakfast, we checked out and drove 2 mins to reach the New York Hotel. We were stopped at the gate and asked if we had a reservation. As we said yes, the employee that had stopped us checked on a list and said "Oh, you have a suite. Put this card on your dashboard so that they will know when you get to the main entrance". We did but didn't feel anybody had noticed this rather huge card showing the hotel logo.

As it was 8 am, there was no wait to check in. We went to the main check-in area. They couldn't find our reservation but soon realized that this was due to the fact that we were staying in a suite and actually had to check in at the "Empire State Club". So we went there and were welcome by 2 gentlemen who proceeded with our personal check-in. Our room was not ready yet (we had to wait until 3 pm to check-in and check-out was at 11 am on our departure day).

We recevied our park tickets and VIP Fast Passes which allowed us to use the Fastpass lanes on a bunch of rides. The fastpass lane allows people to get to the ride in advance, register and get a time slow at which they can return in order to use the Fastpass lane. The great thing about the VIP Fastpasses (that only people staying in suites or at the Castle Club at the Disneyland Hotel receive) is that you don't have to register in advance and thus can use any fastpass lane whenever you want (from 11 am until 2 hours before the parks close) and as many times as you want. We really thought this was a great perk as it saved us a lot of time.

As for our room, I wouldn't say it was magnificent but it was quite decent and spacious. When we got there, we found a note from the general manager welcoming us, a picture frame, a gift for our daughter as well as half a bottle of champagne on ice.

This was nice! Breakfast for suite guests is served in the Empire State Club lounge and Disney characters come and go during breakfast hours which makes for a great and personal encounter with them for children!

We had also booked a lunch at the "Auberge de Cendrillon". It was great fun as our daughter had the opportunity to talk to Cinderella, Snow White & Sleeping Beauty. She even danced with them and was thrilled by the experience!

All in all a wonderful week-end and we can't wait to go back!

Restaurant R - Strasbourg (France)

This restraurant has been opened for more than 4 years but we hadn't eaten there for at least 2 years. We used to very much like it but did not feel we were treated right on our last visit there 2 years ago.

We, however, decided to give it another try yesterday evening!

This 2 floor restaurant used to seat guests dining there on the upper level but apparently they don't anymore as there are, now, dining tables on the ground level. We started our evening with a drink at the bar and I was disappointed with the bartender that, obviously, was clueless when I ordered a "Grey Goose Dry Martini without Vermouth, shaken, with olives". He started pouring Grey Goose Vodka in a shaker than proceeded to add Vermouth (I managed to stop him right before he was about to pour it in the shaker). He then asked me: "you don't want any Vermouth ?" I replied that was what I meant when I said "without Vermouth" when I ordered. I went on, talking to my wife, and realized too late he was pouring Gin in the shaker that already contained Grey Goose Vodka. I mentioned the fact that I did not want any Gin. He then, reluctantly, started over. He poured Grey Goose Vodka in a shaker, shook the mix, and poured everything in a regular (non-Martini) glass with the ice cubes. It took a lot of energy on my part to explain AGAIN what I was expecting. I, hopefully, managed to have my drink in the end!

As our last bad experience there 2 years ago involved dry Martinis, I can only come to the conclusion that nothing has changed! I, however, was not expecting them to have a proper trained bartended there so I decided to erase this unfortunate start from my memory!

So let's talk about dinner!

We ordered their 9-course Kaiseki dinner with a bottle of red wine that we really like (2004 "The Footbolt" Shiraz). The Maitre D' right away mentioned that he thought this wine would not go well with the food we had ordered. I insisted because my wife and I knew that wine and had no problem combining it to our order. We were, then, informed that they actually did not have any left! The Maitre D', however, brought us a bottle of Australian Shiraz that we liked.

Food was good. I would say that some dishes are not subtle enough but overall, we ate well.

The setting was beautiful. So we can say that we spent a nice evening.

We were disappointed to learn that they don't accept American Express cards though!

All in all, we might go back there but I doubt it will be very soon!

GoH Restaurant - Sofitel Hotel - Strasbourg

This restaurant has been opened for a year. Its opening followed the end of the very much needed renovation that this Hotel has undergone.

I must say we were absolutely stunned with the setting.

The Sofitel Hotel in Strasbourg is really a great place. The contemporary design made us feel we were on vacation!

As we started our evening with drinks at their "Le Link" bar, we were, also, happily surprised to find there a trained bartender that fixed me a great Grey Groose Martini! A perfect start for a nice evening!

The food at the restaurant was very good! I had "Foie Gras" followed by a piece of lamb that was perfectly cooked!

They have a great selection of wines and carry foreign wines along with French wines.

Our friends and I shared a bottle of Monbazillac with our starters and we, then, ordered a bottle of 2004 "The FootBolt" Shiraz from Australia. Both wines were great and we were very pleased with our experience there!

We will go back!

http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/0568/fiche_restaurant.shtml

Grand Hotel Gerardmer (France)

My wife, daughter and I, recently, spent a night at this property and we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, the bar (and the presence of a trained bartender that knew how to make good Martinis)!

There is a "gastronomic" fine restaurant located in the hotel but didn't get a chance to eat there as we were attending a costumed party!

We, however, visited one of their suites and really liked its design!

If I had to mention one drawback, I would point out to the fact that they make it very hard for customers to pay with an American Express card.

http://www.grandhotel-gerardmer.com/

Umami Restaurant - Strasbourg (France)

My wife and I went to this relatively new restaurant in Strasbourg a few weeks ago and we were absolutely delighted with our dinner. We chose the tasting menu that comes with 4 glasses of wines. The combination of the wines and the inventive food was a must-go experience!

We'll definitely go back!


http://www.restaurant-umami.com/

Dinner At White Room - Maison Blanche in Paris (France)

I recently went to White Room - Maison Blanche in Paris to have dinner.

I must say I was impressed with the place and the magnificent view of Paris it offers! The settings was definitely in accordance with my taste and the food excellent.

The only thing that they could improve is the olives they use for their dry Martinis!

After dinner on week-ends, the main restaurant is transformed into a night-club and I must say I had a blast there!

This place is a must-go if you're in Paris!

http://www.maison-blanche.fr/

Au Crocodile Restaurant - Strasbourg (France)

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of having dinner at the 2-star Michelin Restaurant "Au Crocodile" in Strasbourg. This restaurant had formerly 3 stars but has had only 2 for a few years.

I called to book a table 2 days in advance for a friday evening and was happily suprised to learn that they still had an available table. I mentioned over the phone that we had a gift certificate for a dinner for 2 (drinks included).

When we got there, we were disappointed to see that our table was not in the main (& beautiful) room but rather in a more simple and small room.

There were mostly young people seating in this room with a menu on each table which cover stated the menu they had chosen. I thought it was not a very nice & discreet idea since we could read that the people sitting in the table next to ours were having the promotional menu for young people. Who needs to know what people sitting at a different table have ordered or what their budget is ?

Anyway, service was not really up to par with the place. At the end of dinner, as we were the only ones remaining on our side of the room, there was no one to wait on our table and we basically had to wait 5 minutes to order another bottle of water.

The staff was, however, very nice when available.

As for the food, I must say that I had heard many people complaining about this place in the past months. We, on the other hand, were absolutely amazed with what we ate and must say the food was excellent.

I would still say without a doubt that "L'Arnsbourg" (Baerenthal) restaurant is better than "Au Crocodile". But the latter is without a doubt the best restaurant in Strasbourg.

Note: For an updated review of this restaurant, click here.

Atlantico Signature Restaurant At Casa Grande Hotel in Guaruja (SP), Brazil

My wife and I had a lovely dinner last week at the Atlantico Signature Restaurant in Guaruja.

I particularly liked my "Tournedo" with a "Ganache" of Foie Gras which was a nice variation of the classic Tournedo Rossini!
We also got to taste the Chandon sparkling wine produced in Brazil by Moet & Chandon. It, actually, is very good and close, in my opinion, to the Moet & Chandon Champagne produced in France.

I also had a Belvedere Martini at the Lobby bar of the hotel. I must say I was surprised to find this coveted Vodka in Guaruja!

The hotel staff was very nice and helpful.

Thumbs up to the Casa Grande Hotel!

http://www.casagrande.com.br/

My Trip To Sao Paulo

Here I am posting on my blog from Brazil! This has been a very tiring trip!

Our first flight of the day was a domestic one to Paris-CDG where we were supposed to have a little more than an hour to enjoy the AF Business Class lounge before boarding our second flight to Sao Paulo (GRU).

It unfortunately didn't work out that way as our first flight was delayed and took off 1 hr 1/2 later than scheduled. This meant that, eventhough we were met by a car at the exit of our first flight, we still had to rush through terminals in order to make it on time!

We hopefully made it and eventhough our journey did not start off where it should have (AF Business Class Lounge), we did enjoy our flight.

Let me emphasize the fact that I have always been amazed by the quality of the food in business class aboard AF! My "foie gras" was very good. I then had some lamb which was almost perfectly prepared and followed by a nice selection of cheese! I also had good wines and champagne, as well as a pear "eau-de-vie" with my coffee!

A very nice meal which, in my experience, exceeds by far what I have eaten in Business Class aboard other carriers.

Our second meal was only ok though so not worth writing about!

After more than 11 hours in the air, we finally landed in GRU, only to find out that one of our bags hadn't arrived! This is the third time for me this year and a bit too much in my opinion, particularly considering it was on business class flights and that I am a Flying Blue Platinum member... The one bag that arrived hadn't been tagged with a priority label meant for business class passengers. This happens very often with Air France and is very annoying to say the least. How can they advertise benefits that they don't actually enforce?

Tapas Molecular Bar At The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Tokyo

My recent post about "L'Arnsbourg" brought back memories from my dining experience in Tokyo last March at the Tapas Molecular Bar which is located at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Tokyo.
It was a wonderful molecular dining experience with an impressive selection of small dishes. The Foie Gras cappuccino was wonderful. We also had carrot caviar and spaghettis made of Parmesan cheese.

We had the opportunity to taste the "miracle fruit" for dessert and it was a very intriguing experience!

A must-eat if you're in Tokyo!

L'Arnsbourg - Baerenthal (France)

My wife and I went to "L'Arnsbourg" yesterday evening to have dinner with our friends Bob & Franny.
We had a wonderful time and probably one of the best food experiences in our lives.

I will never forget the mustard ice-cream wrapped in crispy red cabbage as well as the potatoes & truffles cappuccino. The "solette" was absolutely delightful and so was the duck Foie Gras.
We had about 20 different dishes from their tasting menu and would recommend this place to anyone looking for creative food!

L'Arnsbourg does deserve its 3 Michelin stars!

http://www.arnsbourg.com/