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Eating Well in Paris: Second Stop at Chez Tante Alice

In this second installment of my new series of articles, I introduce you to Tante Alice, a fine restaurant which deserves a place in the pantheon of French provincial cuisine. Yummy!

by Phil Chavanne, Senior Editor Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com

Life after Chez Georges

In an article written earlier on the ‘Eating well in Paris’ theme, I described the grandiose experience I had at ‘Chez Georges’. The owners of Chez Georges carry the French cuisine flag with pride, and their number is outstanding.

After such a gratifying meal I was wondering who could rise to the challenge of getting my taste buds as excited. Rescue came in the form of a dinner invitation by my partners in crime, Angelo and Vinni.

“To Tantalis!” was their battle cry.

Tantalis... or not

Tantalis. With such a name I didn’t know what to expect really. Tantalis does not mean anything in French. It sounded like a coined word, made up maybe to don some Nouvelle Cuisine joint. To me, Nouvelle Cuisine means product puffery, very little substance, and high dollars. Not so promising. Yet I rallied their flag, thinking they would know better.

Arriving at the scene I realized I had erred in my linguistic assumptions: Tantalis wasn’t at all -- Tante Alice it had always been.

Now, Tante means aunt in French, so Aunt Alice. Alice is one of those names which girls used to receive in the 1930s, but which very few people dare giving their offshoot today. Aunt Alice brings back pictures of the old relative from the boondocks adorned with an unlikely (and unsightly) moustache, but endowed with a golden motherly heart. The kind of aunt who used to serve you and your friends delicious home-made berry jam on large slices of fresh bread at the end of a mid-summer day.

Outside and inside

There we were, at Tante Alice’s door. From the outside, the place makes a favorable impression. The building is modern, the restaurant sign above the door is drawn in a classic font, in a deep burgundy red. The street environment is nice, with numerous clean-looking stores. We are in the Southern section of the 10th district, about 10 minutes on foot from Place de la République.

Patrons entering the place face the wooden bar. The decor appears tastefully simple. The abundant use of wood and the Vichy-style tablecloth reminded me of a Normandy inn. Though the restaurant room isn’t that large, tables are far enough apart from each other that you may be comfortable having a private conversation with your better half or love interest.

We were welcomed by one of the two owners of the restaurant, and speedily led to our table. There is a second room upstairs, which I was told is used at lunch time when the neighboring businesses’ staffers invade the place. It was about 7:30 pm, and at this time the first floor operated at 80% capacity. The noise level was very acceptable, local patrons were quiet.

Ordering

As we sat down our hostess handed us over the menu and asked whether we wanted to start with the aperitif, the lightly alcoholic beverage which French people usually consume right before lunch and dinner to open up their appetite. I ordered a Kir Royal, a mix of blackcurrant cream and champagne. The owners of Chez Tante Alice offer their own version of a mint cocktail, which my friend Vinni ordered.

Tante Alice’s menu is simple, with a selection of 5 to 7 fares per section. Every dish on the menu spells French terroir cuisine, viz. traditional cuisine from the countryside. For appetizer I opted for a dish of pan-seared cepes (boletus). My entree would be a refined delicacy: a pan-fried steak of duck liver.

While we sipped on our aperitif, our second hostess came to take our order. She was the chef, and she lent herself amicably to our questioning. The lady is of good advice.

Did we want wine? Yes please, a half-bottle of a light red Reuilly or Chinon –both wines are from the Touraine region– to accompany our entrees. The chef pointed out that the one we had picked was the most expensive, and we might want to re-consider. A very honest attitude worth mentioning in a business known to rake in hefty profits on wine orders. We chose to stick to our half-bottle of red Chinon though.

Here comes the food

We had plenty of business to discuss about with my friends, so we didn’t keep our eyes on the watch. It was probably for the better since Tante Alice has a rhythm of its own. You should not expect record-breaking serving speed. Food is prepared on order, so everything takes a bit of time. My appetizer came in just when I was starting to be hungry.

Smell and sight are the first senses you use to evaluate your meal. Fresh cepes should have a very strong earthy odor and taste. Indeed they had. And their look was mouth-watering. My serving was voluminous, something of a surprise. Go to a restaurant in the French countryside and for the same price you would pay in Paris, they serve you three times the quantity of food. The portion I was eyeing was worth every dime I would pay for it.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. My cepes were savory, with rich tones of earth and wood. They were pan-seared to a light black, and as juicy as they should be. A sip of light, fruity red wine helped them go down in style. What a satisfactory start!

The entree

Our entrees came by not too long after we had wiped our plates clean.

The pan-fried steak of duck liver is a French countryside delicacy. Recipes vary from chef to chef, but basically the cook dips the raw duck liver in flour, pans both sides in oil for less than a minute (the steak may not be burned); then sets the pan-fried steak aside, throws away the oil, pour a bit of raspberry or balsamic vinegar in the pan, and reduces it; then adds a base and a nut of butter, and brings this sauce to a short boil. The sauce is then spread over the steak.

If prepared correctly with excellent ingredients, the steak of duck liver melts in your mouth. So much so you don’t even have to chew it. Its refined taste can easily be overpowered, so it is served with light sides such as artichoke hearts, mango chutney, raisins and cooked apple slices, or dried plums.

Tante Alice’s chef has a very good hand, and her fried steak of duck liver lived up to expectations. Its taste was delicate, and it melted on the tongue with no chewy parts. The Chinon was a good choice to accompany it. Some people will prefer a white wine such as a Gewürtztraminer (a wine from Alsace), a Loupiac or a Sauternes (Southwest and Bordeaux wines, respectively).

Dessert and check please

To end up this satisfying meal on a cool note, I ordered 3 scoops of vanilla and coffee ice cream. The menu describes the vanilla and coffee flavors in such terms your curiosity cannot but be titillated. I was not to be disappointed: the coffee really tasted like coffee (not like licorice), and the vanilla had a very rich natural flavor. I had a double espresso to top it off.

The check came to about €35 per person ($43), wine included. For such an evening feat, this price was very reasonable. The after-meal was perfect, no digestion problem. The products were fresh, and both our hostesses granted us the right amount of attention during the meal.

Chez Tante Alice is a restaurant I can recommend without any second thought.


Where?
Chez Tante Alice
31-33 rue du Château d’Eau
75010 Paris
Tel: 33 (0)1 42 40 62 34
Lunch and dinner



***About the Author***
In the course of 30 years spent in Paris, Phil Chavanne acquired a solid knowledge of the city and its secrets. Find many of the answers you need to prepare your next trip to Paris at Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com, a free information guide about Paris hotels, restaurants, monuments, and sightseeing opportunities.

Travel Scams And The Unsuspecting Traveler

Fraudulent travel promotions and offers consistently make it to the top of the list of complaints that the FTC, or Federal Trade Commission, receives every year. These scams are relatively low cost to run, but they lead to expensive mistakes and disappointments for numerous consumers or would be travelers.

Unsolicited travel offers arrive at many homes and businesses every day. The offers arrive by telephone, e-mail, snail mail, and fax. Generally, the offers are fraudulent travel promotions sent or called by unscrupulous travel promoters.

Disguised to look familiar and similar to companies that the consumer might have contact with or knowledge of, the fraudulent offers look legitimate at first glance. Faxes, letters, and e-mails with letterheads designed to look similar to the company the individual is working for further encourage the consumer into thinking the offer is legitimate.

The travel packages are enticing enough to encourage people to act quickly before they have time to think about it or talk to others about it. Anxious to take advantage of the good deal, people often respond immediately. This is exactly what the phony promoter of the travel package wants.

Vacations are offered with deluxe accommodations that include air conditioning and king size beds, free meals, special outings, such as cruises or casino trips, free spa packages, and other assorted perks. Consumers are enticed to place a deposit to hold the offer and its wonderful components. A full refund is offered in the event that they cancel; but then, they are told the deposit is non-refundable. Customers have unwittingly paid for the purchase in full, but never receive the tickets or paperwork for the trip.

The best way to avoid a travel scam is to follow a few simple rules. Consumers need to know what signs to look for to discern the legitimacy of the offer. Likewise, consumers need to follow their instinct and realize that if it looks and sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. People are in the business of making money. If it appears that they are giving the trip away, then how is the company making any money? Look at the following tips and use them to guide you when planning a vacation.

How To Avoid A Travel Scam

 Always deal with a reputable company. Select a company that you, or someone you know, have had personal contact with before. Ask for the company’s full name, address, and phone number.
 Contact the Better Business Bureau where you live and where the company is from. If there is a history of complaints, steer clear.
 Ask to receive the details of the trip in writing prior to payment. If the company refuses, then do not pay.
 Verify your reservations and the level of accommodations by acquiring the telephone number and calling to make a few inquiries.
 Ask for specifics. If the agent uses the word “luxury,” ask exactly what that means. One person’s idea of luxury may simply be a soft bed and a full bathroom, while most vacationers are probably thinking hot tub, king size bed, cable television, etc.
 Use a credit card to make your purchase. If the vacation package does not meet your expectations, you may be able to dispute the charges.
 Never deal with a company whose representative uses high-pressure tactics. For example, if you don’t sign on now, it won’t be available later.
 Don’t believe something that seems too good to be true. If the trip is advertised at well below market cost, then it simply isn’t legitimate.
 Never deal with a company that insists on verifying your identification with additional credit card and social security numbers.
 Avoid any offers for fantastic vacations that require overnight service for payment.
 Avoid responding to unsolicited offers for vacations. Reputable companies can rely on word of mouth to acquire business.

How Travel Scams Rack Up The Price

 Hidden fees that are not revealed until after the consumer commits with a payment. Suddenly, extra fees are added to the cost for incidentals and upgrades that were not mentioned previously.
 Hidden fees that do not materialize until the traveler arrives at the destination. Once the customer arrives at the destination, the desk clerk might notify them of additional charges that were not previously mentioned.

How Travel Scams Deceive

 Some of the offer is unavailable to the traveler until after they attend a special presentation. Many times these presentations involve sitting through lengthy timeshare overviews and sales pitches.
 Refunds are promised for cancellations, but refunds are rarely processed.
 Many details are often left out of the sales pitch.
 Sometimes, the unscrupulous travel marketer will actually lie about the actual components of the offer in an attempt to deceive customers and entice them into signing up for the vacation package.
 Travel marketers use vocabulary that hints at something, but never comes right out and says it. For example, “being selected to receive a trip” only means that you will be given the opportunity to pay for the trip. Moreover, words such as blackout dates and subject to availability will create loopholes that lead to the unavailability of the vacation package that the consumer has paid for in advance.

In most cases, using a reputable travel agent, who has a good record with the Better Business Bureau and some evidence of being around for a while, is the best way to go to schedule a vacation. When in doubt, ask questions.

Copyright © 2006, Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd

Navigating the World of Airline Security

While air travel remains a great deal of fun and a great way to cover vast distances in a short period of time, the airline security system has come to resemble a gauntlet, filled with removed shoes, long lines and a great deal of frustration, and it is important to know how to navigate these sometimes treacherous waters.

One of the most important things for the first time traveler to keep in mind is that it is important to get to the airport early, especially when traveling at peak travel times, such as holiday weekends or the busy summer travel months. It is a good idea to call the airline a couple of days before the trip to get their recommendation for how early to arrive. Most airlines will provide a toll free number travelers can use to get important updates.

Upon arrival at the airport, it is important to check in with the airline as early as possible. For those travelers not checking luggage, the fastest way to the gate is usually one of the automated kiosks most airlines now provide travelers. These kiosks can automatically print a boarding pass, and they often allow travelers to choose their seat assignments as well. All that is required for their operation is the credit card used to purchase the ticket, or the frequent flier card issued by the airline. The kiosk is then able to retrieve the reservation and automatically print the boarding pass and other travel documents.

With boarding pass in hand, it is time to join the waiting hordes at the security checkpoint. If you are lucky, the line will be short. If not, well be prepared to wait. No one likes to wait on line of course, but it is important to bring your patience, and your sense of humor, when it comes to airline security. Remembering that the screeners are just doing their jobs will help a great deal, as will being prepared when it is your turn. Most airports will have an initial screener whose job it is to check travel documents and identification, so be sure to have those items handy, and keep them out until you have passed through the security checkpoint.

While in most cases the trip through security will be uneventful, it is important to keep a few tips in mind. Some of those important tips include:

 Be prepared to remove electronic equipment, especially laptops, from their cases to be inspected. In some cases the security screener will ask that you turn on your laptop, cell phone or other electronic gadget, so be sure that the batteries are fully charged before leaving home.
 Keep an eye on purses, carryon bags and other valuables as they make their way down the conveyor belt. The job of the airline screeners is to be on the lookout for suspicious persons and suspicious activities, not to watch your bags. Keep an eye on your bags as they go through the x-ray machine and as you pass through the metal detector.
 Remove all coins from your pocket and all metal from your person before passing through the metal detector. While most of us will remember to remove those coins and car keys, many will forget about other metal objects, like belts, watches, bracelets and the like. Forgetting to remove those items can unnecessarily delay and complicate your trip. The sensitivity of the metal detectors used at airports varies, but some are sensitive enough to pick up metal studs on jeans or metal tips on shoelaces.
 Try to keep your sense of humor about you. Approaching travel with a sense of fun can be difficult, but it is important to look upon travel as an adventure and to keep the experience as lighthearted as possible.
If any problems do arise, either with the airline or with airport security, seek the assistance of the airline or airport personnel. The staff of the airline and employees of the airport can be very helpful, but it is important to approach the situation tactfully and clearly ask for what you want. Airline travel is not as simple or as straightforward as it once was, but with the right attitude traveling by plane can continue to be an enjoyable and fun adventure.
Copyright © 2006, Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd

Traveling Abroad

Traveling abroad should be a wonderful experience. Fortunately, following a few simple tips prior to your departure will ensure a pleasant experience. Obviously, while some things are more important than others, following all of these tips will provide the smoothest vacation encounter.

High Priority Travel Tips For International Trips Prior To Departure

 Check international requirements for entrance into the country you will be visiting.
 Acquire a signed and valid passport or update the one you have if necessary. A passport identifies the nationality of the passport holder and is internationally recognized as a valid document. Foreign countries require a valid passport for entrance. A passport can be obtained through the U.S. Department of State.
 Complete the emergency information page that is inside the passport.
 Make a copy of your identification page inside your passport. This will come in handy in the event that your passport is stolen or lost. In fact, make a copy to leave at home with your itinerary.
 Acquire a valid visa of necessary.
 Review the Consular Information sheet for each country that you plan to visit.
 Review any public announcements and warnings that have been issued on any of the countries that you plan to visit.
 Remember that the laws of the United States do not apply in other countries. Research what the laws and regulations of the countries that you will be visiting are.
 Remember to leave your itinerary with a trusted member of your family. Include names and phone numbers of the places where you will be staying.
 Acquire traveler’s checks for the trip. They are more secure than cash.
 If you plan to use foreign currency, acquire it while still in the United States.
 Register with the United States Embassy or consulate that is closest to your destination prior to your departure.
 Receive any vaccinations that are necessary for entrance into the country that you are visiting.
 Plan the trip.

Priority Travel Tips For International Trips Prior To Departure

 Check the expiration date on your credit cards to make sure they will be valid during the trip.
 Notify your credit card company that you will be away on travel and to expect unusual charges on your account.
 Research the area in which you will be traveling to become more familiar with it.
 Obtain a foreign language travel dictionary to help with any language barrier.
 Complete any necessary dental work prior to the trip to avoid possible complications.
 Check the limits on your ATM and debit card.
 Check the expiration date of your driver’s license to make sure that it will remain valid while you are driving.
 Confirm your travel plans.
 Prepay any important bills that will arrive while you are away.
 Refill any prescriptions that you will need to take with you.
 Copy down the serial numbers to expensive items such as camcorders, cameras, and other electronic equipment.

Travel Tips For International Trips Prior To Departure

 Check the weather for the area in which you will be traveling so that you can pack appropriately.
 Try on any clothes that you haven’t worn recently, but plan on wearing. Make sure that they fit.
 Acquire a phone card to avoid costly charges on your cell phone in the event that you need to make a call.
 Check out your camera for working batteries, film, or memory cards. Purchase what you need.
 Break in any shoes that will be making the journey with you. Sore feet do not do well with sightseeing.
 Label all pieces of your luggage on the inside and on the outside.

Travel Tips Once You Arrive

 Never leave your luggage or other possessions unattended. Secure them if possible.
 Be wary of strangers.
 Avoid drawing attention to yourself. Do not wear flashy clothes or jewelry.
 Do not carry a large sum of money with you when sightseeing.
 When in doubt about anything legal, contact an authorized official of the country.
 If you do get into trouble, contact the United States Embassy.
 Stay alert at all times.
 Refuse offers of a cab ride that does not appear to be a legitimate cab service.
 Be wary of individuals looking over your shoulder in an attempt to get your phone card or credit card numbers.
 Be wary of people working in pairs to distract you and run off with some of your possessions.

The most important things that any traveler can do are: research, plan, prepare, and practice. Research the documents you need for the trip. Plan the trip itself and the timeline you will follow to accomplish all of the preparation for the trip. Prepare all of the things that you will be taking with you, that is, label, photocopy, purchase, etc. Finally, practice all of the tips that you have been given. Practice vigilance in alertness and be aware of your surroundings. Now, you are ready to enjoy that trip!

Copyright © 2006, Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd

Travel Tips: Staying Healthy

Staying healthy while traveling is a fairly simple task to accomplish. A few precautionary steps to take prior to departure and a few common sense tips to follow while traveling are the only requirements needed.

Health Tips Prior To Departure

 Visit your physician at least six weeks prior to departure. Some vaccinations may require the passage of a few weeks before they are fully effective.
 Vaccinations to consider getting: Hepatitis A or B, Influenza, Typhoid Fever, Yellow Fever, Meningococcal meningitis, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, and Varicella.
 Booster vaccinations to consider getting: Tetanus, Measles-Mumps-Rubella, and Polio.
 Have a complete physical to check the status of your health and any changes that may be needed to your current medications.
 Consult your physician about possible complications that you might encounter due to health conditions such as respiratory problems, high blood pressure, or cardiac problems, particularly if you will be visiting locations with high altitudes or poor air quality.
 Visit the dentist and complete any necessary dental work.
 Refill any prescriptions that you will need to take with you on the trip. Plan to carry additional medicine in the event that you lose some of your medication while traveling. Be sure to carry your medication in the original containers. Many countries have very strict drug regulations. Original containers and identifying documentation will help to avoid any complications that may arise from your possession of medications.
 Acquire and wear a medical alert bracelet for any life threatening diseases that you might have.
 Prepare a card to carry that lists any pertinent medical information such as primary doctor, all current medication, etc. Remember to list any allergies that you might have, including food or insect allergies.
 Prepare a small first aid kit that you can carry with you on the trip. The kit should include such things as prescriptions, pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, bug repellent, antacids, and sunscreen.
 Update your eyewear if necessary. Plan to take a second pair if available.
 Acquire medication that may be needed in the country that you are going to visit. For example, if there is a risk of malaria in that country, ask your physician for a prescription for preventative medicine.
 Check into your medical insurance coverage and understand what procedures or policies you will need to follow should you need medical treatment while abroad.

The types of vaccinations that you get will depend on two things. First, the physician will need to review your medical history. Second, the physician will take into consideration the country or countries that you will be traveling though on your trip.

Health Tips While Traveling

 Select your meals carefully while traveling.
 Avoid food served by street vendors.
 Choose heated, steaming meals as opposed to tepid food.
 When eating raw fruits or vegetables, make the selection or peel the fruit yourself.
 Avoid uncooked seafood.
 Avoid dairy foods that have not been pasteurized.
 Avoid beverages that contain ice cubes or crushed ice.
 Select water packaged commercially in sealed bottles rather than fresh water from open containers.
 Select carbonated beverages over water that has not been commercially packaged.
 Remember to take any preventative medicine that your physician has prescribed for you.
 Avoid swimming in bodies of fresh water such as lakes and streams, particularly in countries such as Africa.
 Remember to use plenty of bug repellent if you are visiting a country or countries that have a high incidence of mosquito-borne diseases.
 Use bed netting at night if you are visiting a country or countries that have a high incidence of mosquito-borne diseases.
 Avoid overcrowded transportation. It is simply better to wait a short while for the nest vehicle.
 Use seatbelts when possible and motorcycle helmets when riding a motorcycle.
 Avoid driving in an unfamiliar area unless you have a local map available.
 Avoid driving at night, especially if you have night vision.
 Carry the phone number of the U. S. Embassy with you in the event that you need medical treatment while abroad. They will be able to provide you with contact information for local doctors, dentists, etc.

Avoiding diarrhea is probably the most important facet of watching what you eat and drink while on vacation. Almost nothing can incapacitate someone quicker than a bad case of diarrhea that dehydrates and weakens the immune system quickly.

Health Tips Upon Arrival Home

 Continue to take any preventative medications that were prescribed for you for the entire recommended time.
 Visit your physician immediately if you are experiencing any symptoms of disease or medical problems.

Once you have arrived home, use your common sense to review your health status. If everything is normal, then, most likely, you have nothing to worry about. When in doubt, make that phone call to the physician and ask questions. A healthy trip is a happy trip. Plan ahead and have fun!

Copyright © 2006, Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd

Road Trip on a Budget

With the cost of gas in the mid three dollar range, the summer road trip just got more expensive. Here are some ideas to trim the budget while hitting the road.

Consider ditching the RV. At today’s gas prices, driving a gas guzzling vehicle for hundreds, if not thousands, of miles doesn’t make economic sense. At a theoretical price of $3.50 per gallon and 10 mpg, every hundred miles driven will cost $35 in gas alone. Instead, consider tent or cabin camping or inexpensive hotels.

If you aren’t willing to give up the RV, stay closer to home. Instead of traveling through state to state, pick a nearby state, or even your own home state, and immerse yourself in it. Set up a base camp, rent an economy car and spend an entire week in a region, exploring all that it has to offer.

If you go the hotel or motel route, choose those that offer a free breakfast over those that don’t. These breakfasts offer both convenience - you’re able to eat right away with no waiting, and cost savings - a family of four eating breakfast out can cost upwards of $25.

Another choice to consider are hotels or motels with kitchenettes or at the very least, a microwave. With a kitchenette, you can eat dinner in rather than out each night. Rooms with just a microwave present a challenge when trying to cook for the family as most microwaves in these rooms are tiny and dishes are not provided. An easy take along meal is chili in sourdough bowls. Bring a frozen ziplock bag of chili from home and four sourdough rounds (or purchase from grocery store along with a pre-made salad). Scoup out the inside of the rolls and fill with thawed chili. Microwave individually and serve on paper plates with plasticware. Clean up is a snap as the bowl is edible and all the other containers are disposable.

Take advantage of park passes and multi-day passes. The National Parks Pass cost $50 for an entire year. If you’re over 62, the Golden Age Passport costs just $10 for lifetime admission. If you don’t have a pass, the admission to most national parks allows you to return for free anytime over the next week. This is a great way to explore on a budget, for about $10, a family can return to the park all week and get to know the park more intimately. To stretch the budget even further, pack picnic lunches versus waiting in long concession stand lines and paying high prices for food that is generally mediocre.

Many communities are known for their extensive bike trails. Either bring the bikes from home along using a car carrier or find out about renting bikes beforehand. This is an inexpensive outing that is a great deal of fun, good exercise and gives a taste of the heart and soul of a community. Hiking these trails or rollerblading is another option for those who don’t want to lug their bikes.

When traveling from destination to destination, instead of hitting up the fast food joints at lunchtime, consider places such as Costco if the community has one. For just about $1.50, Costco offers a large polish style hotdog and a soda. A family of four can eat lunch out on the road for just $6.

Pay attention to gas prices from state to state. Because of tax rates between the states, come gas prices are significantly lower on one side of the border than the other. Use the internet or past experience to try to plan your purchases on the cheaper side of the border. For example, gas in Arizona is dramatically less than in California. It pays to fill up in Arizona before crossing over into California.

The family road trip doesn’t have to come to a screeching halt just because gas is so expensive. With a little planning and an open mind, your budget can be stretched enough to have a great time. Make it a challenge to save where you can and you might surprise yourself with your new frugality.

Copyright © 2006, Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd