BUZZ: Hipark Nice, Brasserie Mollard, Rostang’s Truffle Sandwich and Semaine du Gout

6 October 2011 by Margaret Kemp    1229  
BUZZ: Hipark Nice, Brasserie Mollard, Rostang’s Truffle Sandwich and Semaine du Gout
Margaret Kemp
By Margaret Kemp
Premium Members: Save 15% on OpenSkiesflights to and from Paris*….details at bottom of story. 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. Hipark Résidence Tél: 04 92 00 92 10   22, boulevard du Général Louis Delfino, 06300, Nice Rooms from 80-300€ according to season and type of room/studio/suite  + breakfast between 9-15€   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. Brasserie Mollard 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…
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By Margaret Kemp

Born in Hampton, Middlesex, UK, Margaret Kemp is a lifestyle journalist, based between London, Paris and the world. Intensive cookery courses at The Cordon Bleu, London, a wedding gift from a very astute ex-husband, gave her the base that would take her travelling (leaving the astute one behind) in search of rare food and wine experiences, such as the vineyards of Thailand, 'gator hunting in South Florida, learning to make eye-watering spicy food in Kerala;pasta making in a tiny Tuscany trattoria. She has contributed to The Guardian, The Financial Times Weekend and FT. How To Spend It.com, The Spectator, Condé Nast Traveller, Food & Travel, and Luxos Magazine. She also advises as consultant to luxury hotels and restaurants. Over the years, Kemp has amassed a faithful following on BonjourParis. If she were a dish she'd be Alain Passard's Millefeuille “Caprice d'Enfant”, as a painting: Manet’s Dejeuner sur l’herbe !