Paris "Black Tie"???

[Arpey]

We are crossing into the September of our years, and so, for a three week Parisian bacchanal in August, in order to celebrate a seminal birthday/seminal wedding anniversary/& long (long) overdue vacation: Is there any reason to pack a tux, and specifically anywhere to wear it for dinner/dancing & partying?

[hectorm]

Dear Arpey,
think for a minute. It´s August, Paris is on fire and so are you. Your appointment book -among other things- calls for: ballet opening night at the Opera Garnier; your foundation´s gala fund raiser at the Musée d´Orsay; dinner with the US Ambassador at Le Meurice; baccarat at a clandestine bondesque casino; Ducasse´s birthday celebration at Plaza Athenée; and nightclub and cabaret hopping after each and every of these previous events.
Well, the more recalcitrant LL members will tell you that a black tie outfit (or tux as you call it) would be very appropriate and elegant, and as long as you feel comfortable wearing it, go ahead and enjoy the ride.
I´m reluctant to give you the same advice.
Reality check: even if you had such an intense agenda for your trip, a well cut dark suit would suffice, and believe me, you would be a the top of the range in Parisian formality. The black tie outfit would be out of place in today´s Paris unless is one of those "nostalgia" nights and the invitation requests that attire.
Your question also leads me to wonder about what happened with Frenchmen´s elegance and style in the last 50 years, but this is a topic for another thread.

[Pierre Spies]

Your question also leads me to wonder about what happened with Frenchmen´s elegance and style in the last 50 years, but this is a topic for another thread.

[alden]

Well yes, it is politically incorrect to dress the classics.

French fashion is dominated by the Bobos...(Bohemian and Bourgeois) who spend as much as any Savile Row gent on clothes but with the intent to look as dumpy as possible.

But there is a bit of revolution in the air as some young men are wearing suits again and polishing their shoes.

Cheers

[Arpey]

"Your appointment book -among other things- calls for: ballet opening night at the Opera Garnier; your foundation´s gala fund raiser at the Musée d´Orsay; dinner with the US Ambassador at Le Meurice; baccarat at a clandestine bondesque casino; Ducasse´s birthday celebration at Plaza Athenée;" - NOT LIKELY.

"and nightclub and cabaret hopping after each and every of these previous events." VERY LIKELY

Besides for Theare Chocotte, Les Candelles & Crazy Horse, what are some other decedantly elegant venues for middle age adults with attitudes that whatever happens in Paris stays in Paris?

[Arpey]

Addendum reply to Alden in regards to: "But there is a bit of revolution in the air as some young men are wearing suits again and polishing their shoes."

Yeh, those of us children of the sixties who got to spend the Reagan years in Northeast cities see the "Reagan Revolution" in sartorial rather than political terms, for regardless of his politics the fellow had style which permeated society at-large. Too bad it since has fizzled.

Now, rethinking the original question cited above: Could you please suggest some discrete high-end albeit underground Parisian locales.

[hectorm]

Dear Arpey,
I would normally tell a middle age couple from the US to steer away from the Pigalle district, but..... here´s a little secret.
On the 15th of every month of the year (and only on that night) a very unique event takes place in Paris and I suspect you might like it: a soirée dansante. An old fashioned ball (Le Bal de l´Elysée) in which couples from all sorts dress up and dance the night away to a full orchestra. My wife and I attended it last summer and we really enjoy it. A very unique experience.
So after you had a couple of drinks at the Hemingway bar at the Ritz, take a taxi to the L´Elysée Montmartre night club on Boulevard Rochechouart and join the Parisians in this ancient pleasure.

[Arpey]

Pig's-Alley reminds of Time's Square during the Lindsay thru Koch years. Nevertheless thanks for the tip on the soirée dansante. Keep 'em coming.

[Pierre Spies]

"Your appointment book -among other things- calls for: ballet opening night at the Opera Garnier; your foundation´s gala fund raiser at the Musée d´Orsay; dinner with the US Ambassador at Le Meurice; baccarat at a clandestine bondesque casino; Ducasse´s birthday celebration at Plaza Athenée;" - NOT LIKELY.

"and nightclub and cabaret hopping after each and every of these previous events." VERY LIKELY

Besides for Theare Chocotte, Les Candelles & Crazy Horse, what are some other decedantly elegant venues for middle age adults with attitudes that whatever happens in Paris stays in Paris?

if you go to Les Chandelles, it should really stay in Paris...

[alden]

[Pierre Spies]

Going back to restaurants, my pick:

#1: Epicure, @ Le Bristol
http://www.lebristolparis.com/?q=le-res ... e#/epicure
The best.


#2: Apicius
http://www.restaurant-apicius.com/
Best quality/price, in a beautiful hotêl particulier near les Champs Elysées.

#3: Guy Savoy
http://www.guysavoy.com/

These are but #2 3 Michelin stars restaurants where you should expect to pay c. 200€/ person for food, and approx the same for wine.

If you want some lower budget, my favourite is
L'Epicuriste
http://www.lefigaro.fr/sortir-paris/201 ... uriste.php
(in French)

French cuisine with a (small) twist, reasonable prices (32€/menu) and excellent quality. Next to the Invalides (nice and quiet neighboorhood).

[Arpey]

Thank you, Pierre Spies: Great suggestions as all are great venues. By the way, we are planning to celebrate the b'day/anniversary at a lunch at the Pre Catelan. Too bad the horses don't run in August in the Bois de Boulogne.

Hectorm: Did some web browsing about the L´Elysée Montmartre night club, and it looks fantastic. Right up our (Pig)-Alley. (I hear your groans). Keep those great ideas coming!!!

I suppose, with a (very) healthy tip, the personalized hotel concierge should suggest some places as well as have access to "clandestine bondesque casino(s)", private clubs, etc.. Any thoughts?

[Pierre Spies]

Pré Catelan is REALLY nice if you can have lunch in the garden. Food is of good quality.

Cafe Carmen is a nice place to party (it's a former hotel particulier) - but I'd guess the attendance would be too young / bobo (as Michael would say) for your taste. The place is extremely hype. Next to Pigalle. Just have a look
http://www.le-carmen.fr/

In August, you should go have a drink at the Rosa Bonheur (also very hype and bobo) but the place and atmosphere is nice. Located in the parc des Buttes chaumont (my favorite in Paris). Good thing is that in August it will be less crowded and you can get there pretty early (5pm), get drunk and dance until 00h when it closes.
www.rosabonheur.fr

[alden]

Pierre

Good restaurant picks. I would say L'Astrance is number one but almost impossible to get a reservation.

M

[Arpey]

Rosa Bonheur is Grreat, & especially on a lazy Sunday with nothing much else to do.
Don't know too much about the Cafe Carmen, but will in due course.

Keep those suggestions coming

Have you (or anyone else) recent experience with: Chez Castel, Balajo, L’Arc, Les Bains Douches, Baron, &/or Bobbin’O??