Au-Petit-Sud-Ouest, Foie Gras Restaurant in Paris

When we were in Paris, we tried to eat Foie Gras whenever we can…

I discovered this restaurant by googling the best foie gras restaurant in Paris…

This place is like a foie gras heaven for me 🙂

The front of the restaurant sales foie gras in cans or jars….

  

First page dedicated to foie gras….mostly duck foie gras on the menu…

  

Love the two cute ducks…

  

Cute ducks on the wine glass 🙂

  

Each table has its own toaster, because the cold foie gras terrine tasted better with freshly toasted bread.

For our appetizer we ordered foie gras 3 ways (fresh, half cooked and pan fried).

The fresh and half cooked foie gras taste so soft and creamy.

  

The pan fried foie gras are huge.  They are like a size of a fish and chips dish…

Soooooooooooooo yummy!!!

For main courses, we ordered duck breast, goose leg confit (love the fried skin), and smoked duck salad..

Amazing food, the best duck breast I ever had…

This restaurant is amazing…

Of course we got foie gras in cans to go…..:)

Visited 2015 April

  

Air Canada Business Class, Toronto to Tokyo

This is my favorite travel route 🙂

Flying between Toronto to Tokyo, because I got to enjoy the Japanese meal on board.

    

Soon after the flight took off…we got to enjoy our first meal…

On the way to Tokyo I picked the grilled Alberta AAA beef tenderloin….beef was a little over cooked…but I like the Seared Tuna sashimi for appetizer..

In between meals I ordered the wonton noodles…not so bad, definitely better than the dim sum they offered…brunch I ordered the congee..not so exciting, but it is my comfort food…

   

From Tokyo to Toronto, I orderd the Japanese meal, it made up with varities of small dishes.  I ordered congee again for brunch…

Yummy 🙂

 

Of course …I need to pair my Japanese meal with a hot sake :p

  

The seat was roomy and comfortable, the chair can be adjusted to a sleeping position. 

I also got a pair of sleepers and a small kit with sleeping mask, ear plugs, tooth brush, and lotion etc.

 

It was definitely a good flying experience…

Flew 2015 February 

 

Laduree, Paris

i just love love love Laduree…

Each time I visit a city with a Laduree shop, I will go in and buy a box of their famous macarons…

There are few Laduree shops in Paris and all of them have a long line up…mostly because of tourists like me…hahaa

I love their window displays

So pretty and girly…

Cute little Laduree stickers and accessories…

I already got two of their popular macaron keychains…so I didn’t buy any this time…

        

Almost my turn…

  

My little treat 🙂

Looking forward to my next Laduree encounter…

Visited 2015 April

Hotel Banke, Paris

Hotel Banke is a small 5 stars boutique hotel in the Paris opera district, less than 5 minutes to more than 3 metro stations.

Few minutes walk to Galeries Lafayette or Opera Garnier.

Great great location!!!

The hotel is transformed from an old bank building from the 20th century.  I love the old architecture with a twist of modern interior design.  The hotel lobby glass ceiling looks stunning!

Contemporary room design…

Nice stay.

Cleanliness 4/5

Bed comfort level 3.5/5

Service 4/5

Value 4/5 (got it on sale from Expedia with the flight)

Location 4.5/5

Other to consider:  

Toilet and shower were in separate rooms..

Bathroom towels were extra soft 🙂

No coffee machine in the room, but received a big bottle of evian water and truffle chocolates on the first night!

 

Stayed 2015 April

ZenKashoin Tea Cafe, Tokyo ShinQs

Every time I visit Tokyo…I will try to look for an authentic matcha tea cafe to satisfy my craving 🙂

I came across this tea cafe by accident..My goal was to visit the Hikarie ShinQs department store (a must visit for ladies) and it was a bonus…when I saw this cafe hidden on the 5th floor of the department store.

Dessert time…:)

The cafe gives me a very zen like atmosphere…

  

This cafe is originally from Koyto, photo of their head office in Koyto.

I ordered the matcha dessert and tea combo…

My weakness … Matcha…love love

Matcha ice-cream drizzled with matcha sauce and matcha cake…matcha overload 🙂

If you are not a matcha fan, they also have coffee and other flavor desserts.

My friend ordered Chestnut dessert with coffee…just as yummy 🙂

I love dessert and Tokyo…

Cafe website:

www.zen-kashoin.com

ShinQs department store website:

www.tokyu-dept.co.jp/shinqs

Visited 2015 February

La Pergola Restaurant in Rome, 3 Michelin Stars

During our trip in Rome, we had a chance to dine at  La Pergola Restaurant in Rome Cavalieri Hotel.  It is the only restaurant in Rome has 3 Michelin Stars.

The hotel is located at the top of a hill where it overlooks the city.  We had a dinner reservation so we missed out the chance to view the city (day view) from the top of the hill.

The restaurant is decorated in the classic style with arts around the room.

As per their web site, they have over 53,000 bottles of wine and 29 types of water (H2O).   The price tag on the most expensive bottle of water, is more than a bottle of wine I drink in Canada.

We had a Sommelier helped us to select the wine. I found it to be an unique experience, since we rarely have this type of service in a Canadian restaurant.

We ordered the nine courses tasting menu.  The dishes were prepared with perfections.

 

Photos of my favourite dishes…each dish is beautifully plated.

 

Cheeses trolley contained different types of Italian cheeses.

 

Of course you always need something sweet to end a perfect meal…look at all the desserts we got…European love sweets 🙂

The service was very good, but I found them less attentive than the Michelin 3 stars restaurant we tried in Spain.

Overall, we had another great experience.  Thank you hubby!

 

Visited 2011 November

W Hotel in Barcelona

Hubby and I stayed at the W hotel in our trip to Barcelona.  The hotel has a stunning view overlooks the beautiful Mediterranean sea.

Our experiences with W Barcelona was Wonderful!  Friendly staffs, conveniently located (bus stop just outside of the hotel) and most important, the spectacular room in the hotel.

We will definitely stay at this hotel again!

Visited 2010 December

Hakone, Ginyu Ryokan

Hakone is a small town that is about 100 kilometres from Tokyo.  It is famous for its hot spring and natural beauty.

For our trip to Tokyo, we decided to take a detour to Hakone for its hot spring.  The easiest way to get there is by Shinkansen (bullet train).  We took the train from Tokyo station and it took about 40 mins to Hakone train station, then we took a taxi to our hotel located in the mountain.  You can also take the local Mountain Train up to the mountain.  The resort we stayed is tucked away in the lush mountains of Hakone.

We stayed at Hakone-Ginyu Ryokan.  Ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn with a tatami-matted room.

The view from the resort is spectacular; we were surrounded by Hakone Mountains with Haya-Kawa River below.  It is the most amazing Zen experience.

   

In the common area, there are two communal hot spring baths, one for male and one for female, the bath tubs were made with beautifully crafted stones.  

Visitors must wear yukata when visit communal baths and other public areas.

Photos of our room, it included an indoor and outdoor hot spring baths.

Our tatami bed 🙂

It was our first hot spring experience.  I must said I really enjoyed the soaking and I felt so relax for the rest of the day 🙂

I recommend anyone visiting Japan to experience the hot spring.

 

Visited 2009 June