Good Taste is the Worst Vice

Champagne adventures on Saroche

One of the delights of our time on Saroche was a daily excursion, guided by our captain, Jason.  After breakfast we'd all pile into the van for a short drive through the beautiful Champagne countryside, narrated all the while by Jason.  He's an amazing storyteller with a wealth of knowledge about ... continue reading...


Saroche barge in Champagne

The word "barge" doesn't really conjure images of a modern holiday.  More likely, you're picturing a boat that may as well be traveling back (very slowly) into the nineteenth century. And yes, there are still some of those barges out there, hauling grain or other cargo - though there may also be ... continue reading...


All around Paris

I hadn't been to Paris for over a decade before our visit this summer, so really wanted to revisit some of the classics - Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower - and some places I'd never gone before, like Sainte Chapelle.  Let's explore: On our first afternoon, we walked along the Seine - a ... continue reading...


Château d’Yquem

No matter how much one loves red Bordeaux (in our case, that's a lot!), Left and Right Bank visits can blur together a bit.  So a tasting of golden, sweet Sauternes is just the thing for a change of pace. We headed for Chateau d'Yquem, the winery that's synonymous with Sauternes. The ... continue reading...


Chateau Richeux, Cancale

In the crook of France's coast where Brittany and Normandy meet, there's the town of Cancale.  And just outside, at the end of a narrow country lane, is the fairytale house called Chateau Richeux. It's a small hotel now, just over a dozen rooms, and basically a dream destination for traveling ... continue reading...


Mont St Michel and Cancale, France

My first visit to Cancale and Mont St Michel was over 20 years ago with my aunt, uncle, and cousin.  I remember the surprising color of the ocean - more Caribbean turquoise than gray Atlantic - and traipsing up and down stone stairs on the Mont, and I'd wanted to return ever since. So D and I ... continue reading...


A sampling of Paris restaurants

Paris is up there with New York and Tokyo when it comes to the challenge of picking just a few restaurants to try. There are too many great options, across every cuisine and price point. Here's a collection of places where we dined: Kunitoraya This was my pick for a Japanese restaurant in Paris ... continue reading...


Neige d’été, Paris

There's a strong culinary cross-pollination between France and Japan, with many Japanese chefs working in Paris and bringing meticulous craftsmanship and a hint of Japanese influence to French cuisine.  Neige d'été is a prime example, with Hideki Nishi leading a mostly Japanese kitchen.  The front ... continue reading...


A l’Etoile d’Or, Paris

What makes À L'Étoile d'Or so special is its owner, Denise Acabo.  She's an 80-something combination of fairy godmother, Willy Wonka, and top-grossing sales rep, in unlikely packaging of long plaid skirt and braided pigtails. If you understand enough French for a basic conversation, you're in for ... continue reading...