Comments on: A L’ORIENT D’OR, Excellent Hunan Chinese Cooking, B+; LE VERRE VOLE, One of the Best Bistrots a Vins in Paris, B+

By: Alec Lobrano

Alec Lobrano — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:36:53 +0000

I agree, John. The Portuguese have a charming old-fashioned sense of hospitality, and the quality of their produce is excellent. The prices are very reasonable, too, and it's always a pleasure to travel there. Cheers, Alec

By: John Mihalec

John Mihalec — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:27:51 +0000

Alec, we had an IBM conference dinner along that beach on the Coast to the west of Lisbon in 2007, although it may have been a different restaurant than the one you are at...I can't remember the name, but I remember all the fresh fish displayed for diners as they entered. I think one of the reasons you (and I) like Portugal so much is that there is no hype (well, except for Cristiano Ronaldo). It's all very high quality,but no one is selling it hard, so it's a surprise to newcomers. No one goes there with inflated expectations.

By: Alexander Lobrano

Alexander Lobrano — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 00:32:48 +0000

P.S. As you know, Sagres is in Portugal, one of my favorite countries.

By: Alexander Lobrano

Alexander Lobrano — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 00:31:54 +0000

John, Le Verre Vole is terrific, as is my new favorite Chinese. And I so agree with you that Chinese in Paris is usually pretty underwhelming. For the moment, though, my latest gastro bliss is the huge bowl of baby clams steamed with garlic and coriander that I had in Sagres, the westernmost point of continental Europe, at lunch today. All best, Alec

By: John Mihalec

John Mihalec — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 00:21:04 +0000

Thanks for the reviews, Alec. Le Verre Vole was on a short list of places we never made it to, when we lived there. We'll try harder on the next visit, as it sounds great. L'Orient d'Or is a real find, because we always found the Chinese food in Paris to be generally mediocre and uninspired (unlike the Japanese, which was more often above average.)