Hi Joan:

Margaret KEMP, BP's BUZZ wrote about Spring (read al of the way down) ...
http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/marc-meneau-buzz/

She is looking forward to the move as well. All best,

K

Surprised to find nothing on Spring!! Daniel is relocating and new spot will be open probably late April.If you afre not familiar with Spring I will tell you a bit..Only open 1 or 2 days for lunch..5 night, I think for dinner. 16 covers. Everyone needs to be there before 9:00 and I think 1:00. No servings until all are there. If you are late you are liable to have unfriendly neighbors! There is no menu. The cost at the moment $42 euros + wine. The biggest bargain that you will EVER have! A nothing atmosphere, open, nothing kitchen. To watch Daniel wprk with your meal is fantastic. He is 100% devoted to what he is doing..fascinating. Reservations are difficult. My short notice trip for Dec. had me up early and calling Daniel at 5:30 EST. He even asnwers the phone. I have 4 seats for lunch on 12/5....

Here is the report from dear Lilia re our dinner at Spring Restaurant. I met Lilia via that inbred forum that I do very little on. She new I was going to be in Paris when she was there and wanted to GTG with me. I had reservations for both dinner and lunch at Spring...an empty seat across from me..so, easily filled. Lilia had lived in Paris for 5 yr., in the 7th, in "my" exact area. She speaks French fluently..a fun, nice person. Here is her report on "Spring:
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SPRING - A WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL MEAL FOR GRACEJOAN AND ME!!!!!!!!!!

It's me knocking at GraceJoan's apartment in my old neighborhood in the 7th. The apartment is almost as good as GraceJoan! I did see a glimpse of her from last Spring's GTG. What a grand view of the ET from her front window. We had champagne, pourquoi pas? What else is there to drink? After getting acquainted, we went downstairs to wait for our cab.

Upon arrival at 28, rue de la Tour d'Auvergne - what was that sign at the door? - "L'appareil pour la carte de credit et cassé".
The credit card machine is broken and credit card won't work tonight. What to do, what to do? We didn't want to wash dishes that night..............

We were luckier than the Laidbacks. Everybody came at a reasonable time, so the dinner was served at around nine o'clock. When she brought the wine list, she was recommending a fine bourgogne for about 109 euros. I asked her how much our meal will cost (I normally do not carry a lot of especes with me - most everything goes on the CC. We had to ask for a slightly cheaper bottle. She recommended another bourgogne, a Faverelles (I've never had one) that turned out to be perfect with our meal which is 42 euros now (a slight rise from your Spring dinner at Spring, LB).

This time, I brought my camera and was ready to take pictures. What did my camera say? "Your battery is exhausted". I was too tired the night before at Bistro Paul Bert (that report will come at another time).

We started with a Bouillon de fruits de Mers, un couronne de cabillaud frais purée avec des pommes de terre et petit des de pommes fruits. Extra-ordinaire! The sweetness and crunch from the diced apples in the fish and potato combination makes your mouth feel excited. Daniel is so good about combining different tastes that will you happy! More bread, please to clean up that bowl!!!!

THAT WAS JUST THE FIRST COURSE..............

Poelée de foie gras frais avec julienne de jeune bamboo, jus de betterave; servi avec un sauce citron un peu sucré garni par quelque feve de chocolat. This was an escalope of fresh foie gras sautted in the pan served over thin julienne of bamboo shoots some left natural and some sprinkled with beet juice so you can see flecks of red around; served with sweetened lemon sauce sprinkled with bits of chocolate feve for the crunch. How can one complain after such a dish. I am such a fan of foie gras chaud - I am now speechless.....

CAN DANIEL TOP THIS SECOND COURSE? WE HAVE TWO MORE TO GO....................

Filet de lapin braisée dans le four desosée et roulée autour de purée de coco de paimpol avec sauce de pomme fruit et de persil, garni par micro verte. How can a boneless rabit meat be that tender and that tasty rolled around a purée of coco beans - just enough of the sauce around it, one with apples and one with parsley. I'm running out of words but my tummy is quite satisfied.........

WHILE FINISHING THE LAST COURSE, WHAT IS THAT WE CAN SMELL? THE SMELL OF BAKING APPLES ---- CAN YOU THINK OF A BETTER COMFORTING SMELL THAN THAT?

The smell of baking apples, french butter, a sprinkling of brown sugar is like being hugged by Mom on a cold wintry day, don't you agree?

The server announced (she said she had to do it in French as I think she was getting tired) - Rotie de pommes coupé en deux, une tuile entré les deux, servie avec purée de pommes, creme fraiche et pepin de pomegranate.

Besides dining on these great dishes, we get to see the plating of the different courses which is another plus. Daniel is so cool, you cannot detect a trace of stress. And best of all, he is enjoying himself.

While GraceJoan and I were having our coffee, Daniel started taking some fresh herbs, snipping them, putting them in a pot and some in cups, added some lemon zest and then was served at one of the tables. By this time, I was getting more curious by the minute so I got up and asked Daniel what he was preparing for the other table. It was tea and he poured a cup for me to try. Herbal tea! Fresh herbal tea - soooo good.

Our cab came and we said goodbye to Daniel. GraceJoan sai so long because she has another reservation the next week. What a wonderful meal spent with a wonderful lady, it seems like we have known each other long.

Lilia is joining me for my Dec. trip and we will again be dining together at wonderful Spring. It is an outstanding experience. You name it in Paris, for top restaurants, and I have probably dined there. Fancier places, yes, but food..nothing better than Spring! Enjoy..Joan