Montreal: Hotel Zero 1

This summer, Arnaud and I went to Canada for the first time.
If you want to know how we got to fly there in business class, make a break and read this article
I was really excited to discover this country. I've heard a lot about but didn't had a chance to go.
Since we didn't know anything or anyone there, we booked our hotel on internet.
Zero 1 newly opened. Getting out of the taxi, I knew I was going to love it.
First: it's new so everything is clean and nice.

I liked the light effect

Bathroom with opened shower

I loved the design and the way it looked.
We arrived by night so we went straight to the room and stayed there
I really liked the room. It wasn't big but not too small either. The closet was perfect and each room has a microwave and a sink for those who want to "cook".
What I really loved about the room was the lighting and the view.
The bathroom was nice and the shower was convenient.
Because of the time difference, we got up very early the next morning.
It was a good opportunity to go the fitness center before breakfast.
Fitness room was small but big enough just like the room :-)
There was everything we needed plus towels and water.

My first Muffin

Since the restaurant wasn't opened yet (as I told you, the hotel is new), the breakfast Muffins & Coffee was opened and was free.
I got really excited about eating my first Muffin in Canada! Of course, the one of the hotel couldn't be the best. It was industrial. But still, it was nice. The room was sunny so we enjoyed our breakfast.
Since we didn't know anything about the city, we didn't know if the hotel was well located or not.
We just saw we were at the door of the China Town. You can't miss it because there are actually real doors at the entrance of China Town that had been offered by Shanghai.

So now I can tell: the hotel is perfectly located. You might be careful by night because there are sex shops around but nothing bad.
It's close by the sea port and close by every nice places.
In fact, we did everything by walk or bike.
I loved the city by the way.
Another thing I liked about the hotel: at the lobby, you have water and apples. It's not only tap water but they had cucumber & mint inside that flavored the water.

That could be the conclusion: I loved that every single details have been thoughtful.

I would definitely recommend you this hotel if you are looking for somewhere to stay in Montreal.
In fact, we spent 4 nights and came back for one day before to go to NY.

Where?
1 boul. René-Lévesque Est
Montreal

Paris - Popelini: when a dream come true

Hello Sweet Tooth!
This article is for you.

If you're visiting Paris, there is one new adress not to be missed!

Forget about macarons.
The new must try can be found at the newly opened shop: Popelini!
Get inside and discover the new trend: choux à la crème or cream buns.
It's the size of a macaron, it is as colorful and pretty as macarons but they are totaly different to eat.

I don't know if you ever tried Tiered Cake, the cake you eat at a wedding (a french one at least).
Well, this cake is made of many cream buns. Regular ones.
What is really good at Popelini is that, like macarons, there is not only one flavours but plenty.
You can regonized them by their colors. Yellow for lemon, pink for rose, brown for chocolate, green for pistachios....
My favorite one is the milk chocolate & passion fruit flavour that reminds me Pierre Herme's Mogador macaron. Coffee one is not bad too... And lemon could also have been my favorite.
Let's say the true: no one is bad. They are all to die for.

Plus, the shop is located in the sharming area of "Rue de Bretagne"  in Le Marais.
I love every single detail of this concept: the shop looks nice, the cream buns are delicious, it's new and packaging is great to.


Where?
Popelini
29 rue Debelleyme
75003 Paris

Flying with Air France in a A380

(For those interested in reading this article in french, follow this link)

Before you go somewhere far away, you first have to fly.
The first meal you will experiment in your trip would be during the flight. Most of the time, it won't be good, AT ALL!
Of course, you don't expect it to be good. You just like it because it helps you to spend the time when you are stuck in the same seat for hours.

Lucky me, I am a member of the Flying Blue Program of Air France. Flying a LOT with the company, I finaly made my way to a free flight!
Well free... To be honest, I still had to paid airport taxes but it was worth it! For 300 €, I got a round trip ticket in business!
You read that right! In Business of a A380.

For the record, I met Arnaud 5 years ago in Florida. When I met him, he told me so much about the Flying Blue Program that I registered as soon as I got back home. Arnaud is Air France's fan. I think the company should hired him because he must be the most convincing person when it comes to AF. I even think we couldn't be together if I didn't like the company.

Anyway, thanks to him, we both traveled on business that time.
Not only in business but for the first time in A380.

Ok, back to the meal!
We were flying to Montreal. The flight was 3 hours late, but you know what? We were happy about it because we could enjoy it longer!
I guess we were the only 2 stupids happy about it.

We got champagne and an "amuse bouche" to wait until we take off.
I loved the Amuse Bouche made with peas and salmon.

Foie Gras, truffles, scallop, veal...
Everything in the meny was tempting.
I picked the pasta truffles because I love truffles.
I have to say, that wasn't a smart decision. How could I thought pasta would be good in an aircraft? Even thought I was in business...

But it's ok, it wasn't that bad AND dessert was great! I got 3 small desserts! So delicious.

The good thing about flying in business (I love to say that) is that you don't get all your plates in once. Of course. You get them one by one. And you also have reals cutlery.

Last but not least, we got Michel Cluizel's chocolates during the flight.

If you are not yet a member of AF flying Blue Programme, I adviced you to be as soon as you can because it will take you long before you get to fly in business for free. Of course, it would all depends on how ofter you fly!

How a macaron can turns you into a Rugby fan!

I am not really into Rugby.
I never understood a word of the rules and never tried to do.
It changed when Hugo & Victor, a chocolates shop here in Paris, created a limited edition of their macarons for the Rugby World Cup.

The macarons are shaped like a rugby ball!
They created it in 2 flavors: chocolat one and vanilla one.
Both are really delicious. Not only they look nice, they are also nice to eat!
I could agree to all Rugby nights if I had a box full of those!
Plus, if you have a chance to go to one of their shops, even though it's not the Rugby Cup anymore, you are going to love every single cake they bake! They all look so good that you won't know which one you have to choose...

Where?
Hugo & Victor
3 shops in Paris
Adresses can be found on their website right here

How much?
1,80€ each