Have a great time - I'm so jealous! I busted my ballet budget this year so I'll just have to stay home and read your posts. I'm looking forward to them!
2
Ballet Talk on Tour!A trip to Paris and London in April '08
Started by
Leigh Witchel
, Aug 04 2007 04:44 PM
45 replies to this topic
#33
- Editorial Advisor
-
- 3,466 posts
Administrator
Posted 15 April 2008 - 06:48 AM
Updating -
Volcanohunter - if you have net access, I hope you'll report in on what you're seeing!
Dinners - given the intersection of schedules, it looks like the best days to meet are Wednesday April 23 in London and Monday April 28 in Paris. In both cases Helene and I are going to a 7:30 pm performance and I could eat before or after depending on restaurant hours. Helene? In the infinite wisdom and cooperative spirit of the press office of the Paris Opera Ballet
they have given me exactly one out of three requests I made. Because it is "not possible" to see the Ek program at the premiere on the 26th, I will see it on the 28th and miss a second viewing of the triple bill. Thank you, press office. So, on the 28th I'll be at the Garnier for the Ek program while Helene will be at the Bastille. I'm going to delegate here - Ami, would you care to help arrange a place to eat in London and suggest a time - Cygneblanc, would you do the same for Paris?
Hotel and stuff: Yes, it's more expensive than it was, but there are still lucky bargains out there, especially in London if your nerves can take using Priceline or Hotwire. Amazingly enough, for April 21-25, Hotwire had a 3* hotel in their Kensington area (which is larger than the actual area) for $62 a night. Dollars. Not pounds. I was torn about accepting it (you don't know what hotel you have until you pay for it, and it's non-refundable) but the need to economize on all the travel won out and I steeled myself for four nights in an aging flophouse. Happy ending - it was the Holiday Inn Express Earls Court which is a new hotel and gets good ratings on Tripadvisor. Basic and a bit farther out than I prefer, but for $62 a night, I am not complaining.
Helene and I both booked our Belgium and France hotels on Booking.com, which has very competitive rates and the bookings are fully cancelable (a nice change from Priceline). I'd rather stay at a more modest hotel in the Marais than farther out in a nicer place. Another good trick is that shopathome.com gives a 12% cash rebate on Booking.com bookings - that just about offsets the drop in the dollar. Almost.
Neither Hotwire nor Priceline are giving me any bargain of that kind for April 29 in London. I would rather stay closer in, so I am still bidding.
Volcanohunter - if you have net access, I hope you'll report in on what you're seeing!
Dinners - given the intersection of schedules, it looks like the best days to meet are Wednesday April 23 in London and Monday April 28 in Paris. In both cases Helene and I are going to a 7:30 pm performance and I could eat before or after depending on restaurant hours. Helene? In the infinite wisdom and cooperative spirit of the press office of the Paris Opera Ballet
they have given me exactly one out of three requests I made. Because it is "not possible" to see the Ek program at the premiere on the 26th, I will see it on the 28th and miss a second viewing of the triple bill. Thank you, press office. So, on the 28th I'll be at the Garnier for the Ek program while Helene will be at the Bastille. I'm going to delegate here - Ami, would you care to help arrange a place to eat in London and suggest a time - Cygneblanc, would you do the same for Paris?Hotel and stuff: Yes, it's more expensive than it was, but there are still lucky bargains out there, especially in London if your nerves can take using Priceline or Hotwire. Amazingly enough, for April 21-25, Hotwire had a 3* hotel in their Kensington area (which is larger than the actual area) for $62 a night. Dollars. Not pounds. I was torn about accepting it (you don't know what hotel you have until you pay for it, and it's non-refundable) but the need to economize on all the travel won out and I steeled myself for four nights in an aging flophouse. Happy ending - it was the Holiday Inn Express Earls Court which is a new hotel and gets good ratings on Tripadvisor. Basic and a bit farther out than I prefer, but for $62 a night, I am not complaining.
Helene and I both booked our Belgium and France hotels on Booking.com, which has very competitive rates and the bookings are fully cancelable (a nice change from Priceline). I'd rather stay at a more modest hotel in the Marais than farther out in a nicer place. Another good trick is that shopathome.com gives a 12% cash rebate on Booking.com bookings - that just about offsets the drop in the dollar. Almost.
Neither Hotwire nor Priceline are giving me any bargain of that kind for April 29 in London. I would rather stay closer in, so I am still bidding.
#34
- Senior Member
-
- 325 posts
Bronze Circle
Posted 15 April 2008 - 07:03 AM
Yes, I'll organise, not a problem! I guess it would be best if folks pm-d me to confirm they'd like to come? And... I'm thinking if we choose somewhere close (last time I made Leigh walk a marathon in the heat!), 6pm should be okay?
I'll post a few suggestions here by the end of the week to see if folks have thoughts, but if not, I'll decide by veto.
Regarding the 26th, Leigh (and others): I have been assigned to covering a student workshop that day, and thus my two RB/Sleeping Beauty tickets (Lamb and Putrov) are up for grabs. They are up in the Heavens, but in good view (Amphi P45 and 46). £15 each, if anyone is interested just drop me a PM.
Looking forward to it!
P.S. Haglund's: I'll be at Ansanelli's Juliet!
I'll post a few suggestions here by the end of the week to see if folks have thoughts, but if not, I'll decide by veto.
Regarding the 26th, Leigh (and others): I have been assigned to covering a student workshop that day, and thus my two RB/Sleeping Beauty tickets (Lamb and Putrov) are up for grabs. They are up in the Heavens, but in good view (Amphi P45 and 46). £15 each, if anyone is interested just drop me a PM.
Looking forward to it!
P.S. Haglund's: I'll be at Ansanelli's Juliet!
#35
- Editorial Advisor
-
- 3,466 posts
Administrator
Posted 15 April 2008 - 07:18 AM
If the group seems as if it will be large, can I put in a request for 5:30 for a comfort margin? (Better to have time to talk, get lost, be late, etc)
If it's just a few of us, 6pm close by should be fine.
And thank you!
If it's just a few of us, 6pm close by should be fine.
And thank you!
#37
- Senior Member
-
- 450 posts
Bronze Circle
Posted 15 April 2008 - 10:07 AM
OK, I can try to arrange something. If we settle for Monday 28th, I'm afraid we'll have to go after your performances, because I won't be able to leave my work before 7 PM, unless we can go for lunch. And it's not easy to find a restaurant where you can have diner before 7 PM.
For the ones who are interested, please PM me with what you wish to eat or not, when you're available, and the area you're staying in.
Otherwise, maybe sunday for a late lunch ?
See you soon!
For the ones who are interested, please PM me with what you wish to eat or not, when you're available, and the area you're staying in.
Otherwise, maybe sunday for a late lunch ?
See you soon!
#38
- Senior Member
-
- 325 posts
Bronze Circle
Posted 16 April 2008 - 09:29 AM
Just a reminder for folks to contact me, via PM, if they'd like to meet for dinner in London next Weds, 23 April, around 5:30 pm in Covent Garden!
#39
- Senior Member
-
- 325 posts
Bronze Circle
Posted 17 April 2008 - 06:57 AM
It seems we have a small group, and thanks for the suggestions. I'll list a few below. If no one voices a preference, I'll pick a place! I'll try to have everything sorted by Friday evening (GMT), so that those travelling have the information to hand.
One place I always enjoy is Sapori - it's somewhat zany, quite busy usually, with an eclectic Italian staff... I've always enjoyed my food there as well (but I'm vegetarian, so I won't speak for the larger menu)
http://www.toptable....taurants/?id=38
A place that has just recently opened is Masala Zone. I've not eaten there, but I've eaten at the 'nicer' restaurants (when my parents visit!) associated with it - Chutney Mary's and Veeraswamy.
http://www.masalazone.com
And there's a Wagamama's - again, I love it for its veggie food - but I won't speak to the rest of the menu!
http://www.masalazone.com/
As has been recommended:
Johnston's in the Strand Palace hotel:
http://www.strandpal...restaurants.asp
And the Real Greek, which apparently is real good, but without super-comfy seating.
http://www.therealgr...Spring_2007.pdf
One place I always enjoy is Sapori - it's somewhat zany, quite busy usually, with an eclectic Italian staff... I've always enjoyed my food there as well (but I'm vegetarian, so I won't speak for the larger menu)
http://www.toptable....taurants/?id=38
A place that has just recently opened is Masala Zone. I've not eaten there, but I've eaten at the 'nicer' restaurants (when my parents visit!) associated with it - Chutney Mary's and Veeraswamy.
http://www.masalazone.com
And there's a Wagamama's - again, I love it for its veggie food - but I won't speak to the rest of the menu!
http://www.masalazone.com/
As has been recommended:
Johnston's in the Strand Palace hotel:
http://www.strandpal...restaurants.asp
And the Real Greek, which apparently is real good, but without super-comfy seating.
http://www.therealgr...Spring_2007.pdf
#40
- Administrators
-
- 9,289 posts
Administrator
Posted 17 April 2008 - 09:23 PM
I'm game for anything on the list, and I'm happy with vegetarian.
For Paris, our performance starts at 2:30, and I'm guessing we'll be out between 4:45-5:15. I have an 8pm opera on Sunday night, but I'd be happy to have a meal after the afternoon performance on the 27th (Sunday), or after the performance on the 28th. (I'm sure Leigh and I can find a way to graze to tide us over.) As long as there's a Metro stop near the restaurant, both Leigh and I should be able to convene.
For Paris, our performance starts at 2:30, and I'm guessing we'll be out between 4:45-5:15. I have an 8pm opera on Sunday night, but I'd be happy to have a meal after the afternoon performance on the 27th (Sunday), or after the performance on the 28th. (I'm sure Leigh and I can find a way to graze to tide us over.) As long as there's a Metro stop near the restaurant, both Leigh and I should be able to convene.
#41
- Senior Member
-
- 450 posts
Bronze Circle
Posted 18 April 2008 - 02:52 AM
OK, I checked things out, and it looks like the best thing would be to meet on sunday after the triple bill performance and before Helene's evening in Garnier.
I suggest we meet at either the Clément (http://www.chezclement.com) or the Hyppo restaurant (shttp://www.hippopotamus.fr) on sunday 27 th at about 5.30 PM. It's not easy to find a restaurant where you can eat a late lunch or an early dinner in Paris, and much less on a sunday.
Both are near Garnier, near from a metro station and easy to find. Otherwise, there are also a lot restaurants in the Bastille area for a late diner on Monday.
If the majority can't choose, I think I will pick the Clement ! It would be great if things could be sorted tonight !
I suggest we meet at either the Clément (http://www.chezclement.com) or the Hyppo restaurant (shttp://www.hippopotamus.fr) on sunday 27 th at about 5.30 PM. It's not easy to find a restaurant where you can eat a late lunch or an early dinner in Paris, and much less on a sunday.
Both are near Garnier, near from a metro station and easy to find. Otherwise, there are also a lot restaurants in the Bastille area for a late diner on Monday.
If the majority can't choose, I think I will pick the Clement ! It would be great if things could be sorted tonight !
#42
- Administrators
-
- 9,289 posts
Administrator
Posted 18 April 2008 - 04:51 AM
I'd be happy to do either. If I had a preference, it would be whichever would be the more relaxed and interfere less with family and/or work plans.
#43
- Senior Member
-
- 450 posts
Bronze Circle
Posted 18 April 2008 - 08:03 AM
Helene, it will be definively more relaxed on Sunday. For the ones who plan to attend, please send me a PM so I can give you my details if they're needed. See you soon!
#44
- Senior Member
-
- 325 posts
Bronze Circle
Posted 20 April 2008 - 04:02 AM
Friends, apologies for posting this late, as I didn't have computer access earlier this weekend. I've decided on Sapori for dinner on Weds, booking is for 5:30, in my name (Ami). If I'm late, please start! One thing I've learned is that when you really want the trains to be on time, things will work against you!
Sapori is at 43 Drury Lane. If you know where the ballerina statue is across from the ROH, Sapori is at the other end of that pedestrian walkway. 2 minutes from ROH. If you need better directions, let me know!
Sapori is at 43 Drury Lane. If you know where the ballerina statue is across from the ROH, Sapori is at the other end of that pedestrian walkway. 2 minutes from ROH. If you need better directions, let me know!
#45
- Administrators
-
- 9,289 posts
Administrator
Posted 20 April 2008 - 03:47 PM
Many thanks cygneblanc and ami!
Leigh flies today, and I on Tuesday. I can't believe this is here already!
Leigh flies today, and I on Tuesday. I can't believe this is here already!
0 user(s) are reading this topic
members, guests, anonymous users
Help support Ballet Alert! and Ballet Talk for Dancers year round by using this search box for your amazon.com purchases:
