BUZZ: Hipark Nice, Brasserie Mollard, Rostang’s Truffle Sandwich and Semaine du Gout
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Hipark Résidence, Nice, France
You’re in Paris but need a sniff of ozone, a change of scenery. Nice is just one hour and five minutes away by air on Air France Shuttle. Prices are très doux, service is punctual and efficient. But, where do we stay? We haven’t got a big budget, so that rules out Le Negresco. We want an address that’s expat and child-friendly and will take Sarko the dog.
Dear reader, look no further than Hipark Résidence from one night to a month, or just move in full stop. You may want to after the experience. Fifteen scenic minutes from the Nice airport, ten minutes from the beach and in the middle of the centres of conspicuous consumption for which Nice is famous. Within seconds have it all from a MacDo to a Michelin star gastronomic experience via cute bistrot and pizzerias. Gather fresh produce from Cours Saleya market, take a thrilling ride on the tram or book a chauffeur to schlep you around.
Hipark is the concept of BNP Paribas Immobilier Résidentiel Résidences Services, which is launching high-tech apartment-hotels, from studios to suites, and ultra deluxe suites, designed by architect Didier Gomez.
“Design it as you would for yourself. This was how the assignment was described to me. Create a warm atmosphere and make guests feel important,” explains Gomez.
“I paid particular attention to creating color schemes and adapting to guests’ various needs. The idea was to use furniture and space to improve the everyday experience, creating a harmonious living area for tourists, families, businessmen.”
The former France Telecom building was knocked down, and from the ashes rose a modern state-of-the-art building with 64 studios, 65 suites, eight suites for guests with limited mobility, and seven deluxe suites, all punctuated with the delicate aroma of perfumer Blaise Mautin products offered in the bathrooms.
The rooftop pool has nice views of Nice. There’s a business centre, office space with free computers, Wi-Fi, sauna, fitness with coach if required and spa. No restaurant, but the rooms have contemporary kitchen space with sink, hot plate , fridge, and dishwasher. Play house or order in from the traiteur. Maid service when you want, flat-screen TVs and little balconies where you can dine for breakfast or lunch. The daily buffet breakfast served in the ground floor dining room is comprehensive and satisfying. There’s a Nespresso corner (no sign of Clooney) and laundry room with washing machines.
“We aim to give clients an introduction to our fabulous city,” says directrice Julie Arnaud. “From the comprehensive list of à la carte services we arrange cooking lessons with local chefs, tours of the city, wine appreciation and golf lessons. If you want to hire a car or bicycle, we are here to help: you enjoy, we care,” she smiles.
Tél:
22, boulevard du Général Louis Delfino, 06300, Nice
Parking underneath
Airport transfers can be arranged
For local restaurants and products Guide Gantie has it all
Brasserie Mollard, Paris 9th
Mollard is an authentic Art Nouveau brasserie, designed by architect Edouard Niermans (The Negresco, Nice; Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo; and Le Moulin Rouge, Paris). Opened in 1867 by Monsieur et Madame Mollard and today listed “monument historique.”
“The decor’s authentic, only the chairs and tables and some of the staff have changed,” joked Director General Stéphane Molchow one day this week.
“We’re not a ‘restaurant de la mode,’ we just serve the best products that arrive daily from all over France. And our menu at 32€ is very popular,” he added.
Order a handsome Plateau de fruits de mer followed by perfectly grilled sole, sea bass, turbot for two, cha-cha-cha. All garnished with seasonal vegetables and matched with, say, a wine-based sauce vigneron. And check out the staff, dressed like “Upstairs Downstairs,” achingly polite. Sip Blanc de Blancs, or a Côtes de Gascogne Red (35€) that waltzes well over the palate.
On the great value 32€ menu, choose from six juicy oysters fines de Claires No. 3, onion soup, foie gras, tartare of salmon or Saint Jacques. Mains include: Trilogie de poissons, Truite Meunière, Dorade Roti, Andouillette Grillée AAA, or Chef ‘s daily special. Cheese or pudding: say, omelette surprise “Mollard,” profiteroles with chocolate sauce, baba au rhum, Île Flottante, etc. Definitely a national treasure, don’t hesitate.
Tél: 01 4387 5022
115, rue Saint-Lazare, Paris 8th
Métro: Saint-Lazare, Havre-Caumartin
RER: Line A, Haussman-Saint-Lazare
Open 7/7 12:00pm-12:30am
Menus: Autour du Homard – 54€50 Autour d’un Plat 28.25€
Après le Spectacle 30.25€ 3 course daily menu 32€
Michel Rostang, Paris 17th
Truffle lovers, this bite’s just for you: 2-star Michelin chef Michel Rostang has a seductive sandwich recipe and BUZZ just discovered the secret. With freshly baked pain de campagne au levain, Rostang slices two thick tranches, spreads a fine layer of salty butter, adds razor-thin strips of fresh truffles “Tuber Mélanosporum” from Périgord or the Rhone Valley, a pinch of Noirmoutier salt. Then comes the secret bit: Wrap the bread in cling film and pop in the fridge for 24 hours, so the pain absorbs all the delicious truffle flavors. Then, toast both sides, before eating warm. Oy vey, it’s good. Or, call ahead to the eponymous Rostang restaurant on rue Rennequin, Dessirier at 9, place du Maréchal Juin, Paris 17th or Jarasse at 4, avenue de Madrid, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine.
How much? 65€ for 100 grammes. Gulp! Attention: this sandwich is addictive.
Tél: 01 4763 4077
20, rue Rennequin, Paris 17th
Métro : Ternes
Closed Saturday noon; Sunday and Monday noon
Diary Date: La Semaine du Goût, October 15th
The 22nd edition of La Semaine du Goût this year combines with Tous à Table showcasing French gastronomy added to UNESCO‘s World Heritage List in 2010. October 15th is a key date for un grand samedi solidaire, at lunch only, when participating restaurants all over France offer exceptional meal deals. Find out all about it at their website.
La Semaine du Goût, www.legout.com
October 17-23, 2011
Margaret Kemp is a Cordon Bleu graduate who spent a year traveling the world, working and watching in the kitchens of top chefs from Sydney, Australia via Bangkok, Hong Kong, California, New York and France. She reports for BonjourParis on the latest European trends, restaurants and hot spots. Please click on her name to see her weekly stories dating back to 2003 . . . et merci, Margaret.
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The Hipark Résidence is a modern designer hotel is located in Nice, one mile from the Promenade des Anglais & the beach. Each air conditioned, soundproofed studio & suite at the Hipark has modern décor & a balcony. Rooms include a fully equipped kitchenette, a living room w/a flat-screen TV w/satellite channels & modern bathrooms. Hotel has an outdoor pool w/ sun terrace, sauna & fitness center. Daily buffet breakfast served in the dining room or on the grounds. 24-hour front desk, bike rental & free Wi-Fi in public areas. Hipark is just a 5-minute walk from Nice-Riquier Train Station. Past Booking.com guests rate this hotel 8.6 of 10. See Margaret Kemp’s review published here on Oct. 9, 2011.
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