CombatCritic's TravelValue™: cathedral

Showing posts with label cathedral. Show all posts

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Paris, France: Quaint Restaurant In The Shadows Of Notre Dame

Au Bougnat
26 Rue Chanoinesse
75004 Paris, France
Near Cathedral Notre Dame De Paris - 4ème
Phone number +33 9 64 09 51 94
Website: aubougnat.com
Prices: €€€€

In the shadows, literally, of the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, you will find Au Bougnat, a small restaurant and bar with quaint charm and in a historic building. You enter the restaurant through the bar, entering the tiny dining room through a short, narrow passage in which you must bend at the waist in order to avoid bashing your noggin.

A three-course dinner will set you back a modest €29 (€24 for two courses). Starting with a 50cl blonde draft beer (€6.50) and a bottle of sparkling water (€7) while we waited for our friend to arrive, we then ordered from both the "Specials" and regular menu. Our server was very kind, spoke perfect English and was very attentive.

We were first brought a small, cold cauliflower soup to start our four course meal and it was delicious. For our entree (starter - €9 à la carte), I decided on the Oeuf Cocotte aux Escargots de Borgogne - eight snails sautéed in garlic butter and placed on a brioche then topped with a lightly poached egg - while my wife and her friend had the Gratinée á l'Oignon (French onion soup). My escargot were sublime, a term I rarely use, but very fitting in this case. The poached egg oozed its yoke as I cut into it, a preparation that would have made even Gordon Ramsey sing the chef's praises, and every bite was as good, if not better, than the last. The onion soup was slightly sweet and salty with plenty of sautéed onions and topped with a slice of bread and gooey, delightful, melted white cheese.

Both my wife and I ordered the plat (main course - €18 à la carte) Filet Mignon Roti, Risotto de Blè, Jus Rèduit and our friend the Entrecôte de Boeuf (350g), Pressè de Pomme de Terre, Sauce au Poivre Vert. Our center cut pork filets sat atop a generous serving of risotto while surrounded by a dark brown sauce reduced during the cooking of the pork. The pork was cooked perfectly and was very tender, the reduction light and savory, and the creamy risotto the perfect accompaniment ... YUM! Our friend's 12 ounce ribeye steak was topped with a creamy peppercorn sauce and accompanied by a crispy baked potato puree. The steak was huge and well cooked, the sauce delicious, and the potatoes very tasty.

For dessert (€8 à la carte), I went with the decadent Chocolate and Hazelnut Tart and my wife the Crème Brûlée while our friend decided to go with a much healthier green salad. My tart was delish, a creamy chocolate with chunks of hazelnut baked in a round tart shell and my wife's crème brûlée was very well done, creamy with a crispy sugar topping ... HOOAH!

The 2-course and 3-course meals are quite a bargain compared to ordering á la carte with a savings of €3 and €6 respectively, so that is definitely the way to go. I have to say that for the price, Au Bougnat is a terrific value, especially considering the fact that it is so close to tourist central. I was surprised that such a charming and delightful little restaurant could be found so near Notre Dame and am glad our friend suggested it ... MERCI BEAUCOUP!

CombatCritic Gives Au Bougnat 8 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Eight Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "What-The-Fuck ... Over!"

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Monday, July 20, 2015

DayTripQuip™ - Beautiful And Historic Siena From Florence By Train Or Bus

Piazza del Campo

DayTripQuip™: Take the train (Regionale: 1 hour 28 minutes - €8.80/person each way) from Santa Maria Novella Station to Siena. Trains leave throughout the day from S.M. Novella at 10 minutes after the hour. Another option is the bus (Corse Rapido: 1 hour 15 minutes - bus station is just south of the train station - bus schedules below - €7.60/person each way) which is a little faster than the train, cheaper, and leaves you closer to the center of Siena. The Siena train station is a little over a mile and a 25 minute walk to the historical center of Siena where you will want to go. The Siena bus station is very close to the center (centro storico) and its fabulous piazza, ancient churches, beautiful cathedral, and historic buildings. Siena has restaurants, cafes, bars, and shopping galore if you would like a break from the frenzy of Florence for a few hours.

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Bus Schedule

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Title: DayTripQuip™ - Beautiful And Historic Siena From Florence By Train Or Bus

Key Words: Siena, day, trip, quip, DayTripQuip, train, piazza, Piazza del Campo, campo, duomo, cathedral, fresco, church, antique, antiques, travel, value, Firenze, Florence, bus, schedule, SITA

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

DayTripQuip™: Ancient Arezzo ... An Antique Aficionado's Allure

DayTripQuip™: Take the train (Regionale Veloce: 1 hour 10 minutes - €8.10/person each way) from Santa Maria Novella Station in Florence. The train station is in the center of Arezzo and just three blocks from the historical center (centro storico), a Roman amphitheater, ancient churches with famous frescoes, a beautiful cathedral containing the mummy of a pope, and a fabulous piazza. Restaurants, antique stores, and shops abound, providing a quaint respite from the crowds of Florence for a few hours at least.

Piazza Grande

Roman Amphitheater

Chiesa San Francesco

Chiesa San Domenico

Duomo San Donato

Pope Gregory X

Fresco of Maria Maddalena - Piero della Francesca

Piazza Grande - Benigni's "La Vita e Bella" Was Filmed Here

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Title: DayTripQuip™: Ancient Arezzo ... An Antique Aficionado's Allure

Key Words: Arezzo, day, trip, quip, DayTripQuip, train, Benigni, La Vita e Bella, vita, bella, film, movie, duomo, cathedral, fresco, church, antique, antiques, travel, value,

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