Leonardo in Paris…and new restaurants

The hype around the Leonardo da Vinci show has been huge. One of the largest show at the Louvre celebrating the 500th anniversary of his death. I got the tickets when it was announced. What an utter disappointment.

The entire experience is so flat. Small dark rooms for the number of people streaming in. The light feels like the inside of a poorly lit office building. The majority of pieces are so small and all begin to look the same. There is no information next to each piece except for a date.

Truth is I have not walked into the Louvre in years although I have gone to multiple exhibits at the Musee Decoratifs which is part of the museum. It is so big that I feel overwhelmed. I was excited to return but alas what a huge disappointment.

I did not dive deep into the 11th where most of my favorite restaurants are located. After reading a bit about some renovated restaurants that appear to have a fantastic PR team I opted to go there. Laperouse that has been around since the 1700s underwent a year-long renovation. It is just too fancy. I wonder who is going to these fancy places in the future? The bar is just killer and for that, I will return.

Le Train Bleu, that is located inside the Gare de Lyon train station is gorgeous. Similar concept as the Grill in NYC where they wheel out carts and carve your dinner. If I was waiting for a train I’d certainly return but not sure I’d make the journey for an evening.

One night we went local to Chez Fernand, a family bistro. They were so nice and the food was just fine. It made me recall the days when we would go to Paris and think everything just tasted so good no matter where you went. The explosion of creative exquisite cooking across the globe has changed the landscape of our expectations. I want to be intrigued, wowed and have that sensation of something so good just melting in your mouth. Spoiled perhaps but I am not in a league of my own.