Restos - Aki

I never get tired of saying: I love Japan and japanese cuisine. Everytime there is an event regarding its culture, I'm there.
I know that's normal to have japanese restaurants in big cities, like Paris. But it was a good surprise when I found that there is one street here that have the most autentic restaurants for japanese food. It's almost like you are walking on some street in Tokyo (yes, I wish! eheh).

My reference now for sushi, soba, sashimi, sake and wasabi is the Sainte-Anne Street (Rue de Sainte-Anne). And it's not just for the food because the decoration, the waiters, the way everyone salutes you when you enter, everything looks and feels like the real thing.
I know it because I was lucky enough to visit Japan in 2004 and my life was never the same... eheheh... ok, ok, I'm exaggerating! :-P

The first restaurant I've tried was the "Aki", very cosy and small. And instead of choosing the typical sushi or sashimi, I gave a shot at the miso soup and the huge bowl of soba! ;-) Delicious!

So keep in mind, if you want the most authentic japanese cuisine go to Sainte-Anne Street. You won't get disappointed. I'll return there, that's for sure! はい ;-)

And it's Oscar night!

Nowadays the Oscar ceremony is more about the show-off rather than really rewarding "la crème de la crème".

As a movie fan I always enjoyed watching this show, but I always need a little help... a food help! eheheh
The only way for me to stay up all night is to have some snacks/drinks to help me for this hard task! :-P

For the moment is red carpet time... and most of the snacks are already gone! eheheh

More interesting will be tomorrow morning... when it's time to go for work!

Let's hope it will be a good show... at least the host, Jon Stewart, promises a non-boring night.

It's the Oscars, baby...

Movies (and soundtrack too) - Juno

Tonight is Oscar night (yep, I plan to watch the ceremony live! eheh) and the outsider movie this year is "Juno", a small budget production but with a big sucess. Let's call it the 2007's "Little Miss Sunshine"! :-P

Unfortunatelly we didn't manage to watch all the movies which are nominated for the most important awards, because some of them, like "There Will Be Blood", will be release next week. Oh well...

But yesterday we finally watched "Juno" and we also got this positive feeling about the movie. First, the story and the actors (specially Ellen Page) are good. Second, the soundtrack is a perfect match.

You may think at first this could be an heavy drama about an unplanned pregnancy by a teenager girl, but the result is a feel-almost-good movie (well, it's not exactly a comedy either).

Regarding the soundtrack... let's just say that I still have in my head the now popular (thank's to the movie) "Anyone else but you" by The Moldy Peaches. :-P

I already watched movies that made me feel like dancing ("Shall We Dance"), wine tasting ("Sideways"), driving like crazy ("Fast and Furious") or even be a true adventurer ("Raiders of the Lost Ark" - what else?).
With "Juno" now I feel like playing the guitar! eheheh Nothing special, but thank's to Cristiane - private teacher - I already begun with some basic lessons! eheheh

I recommend you the movie soundtrack album and I leave you with "Juno"'s main music, which was actually played and sung by the main actors Ellen Page and Michael Cera.

 

World Premiere - Taken

Last night was the world premiere of Liam Neeson's latest movie "Taken", in Paris.
No one other than the famous french writer/producer Luc Besson was the responsible for this new action-pearl, through his Europacorp studios.
Although this is an english speaking movie, all production, writing and filming are french. I make this remark just to enhance the quality of good action films made in France, and all over Europe, in contrast with the same Hollywood formula with guns / babes / hip-hop stars!

Based in part on real live events, "Taken" tell us the story of a former american spy that is forced to travel to Paris to save his daughter, who has been kidnaped by a slave trade gang.
And if you think that Liam Neeson had great powers as a Jedi in "Star Wars - Phantom Menace" wait until you see him fight his way through Paris and driving like crazy! :P

I enjoyed the movie, with a straight forward story, no special spy gadgets, but with good stunts and action scenes. And you almost believe that Liam Neeson is able to kick some real butt! :P

But don't believe everything you see in this movie: not all girls who travel alone are kidnaped in Paris.

I also liked the speech by Luc Besson, who showed that is one cool dude, funny and modest. He sat almost next to me and watched the film with everyone, and no special seat reserved for him.
Go Luc, go!

My hero!

The first trailer from the most anticipated movie of 2008 is out! Who doesn't know the famous archaeologist Dr. Jones?

Well, the movie opens in May and you can watch the first images! I can't wait to see it!

Stop reading and press play! :-) If you are addicted like me to high quality/definition video, you can watch my favourite Quicktime HD format

My computer at the office was thrown out the window!!

Breaking News: today I didn't work because someone threw my PC out the window!

As insane as it may sound it's the truth! If you work with computers maybe you already got problems with it due to power failures, virus' attacks, the famous blue screen, water spilled over... but I bet that you never arrived to work and saw your computer on the street!! :-D

I was walking on the street, heading to main entrance, when I saw a broken computer laid down on the ground. "Maintenance again" I thought.
As soon as I entered the building I saw a big sign: "First floor closed"! And it was true. All doors were sealed with police-like tape!

What happened? Well, no one knows who did it, but everyone knows the damage: several computers broken, many monitors thrown to the ground... but ONLY ONE computer was thrown out the window. The lucky winner: me, myself and my ex-workstation!
The "crime" was commited around 4 a.m.

Some minutes later a C.S.I. type team arrives to the scene of the crime, to get fingerprints and other clues.
Of course they asked me questions, after all I was the lucky winner of a flying-computer! eheh
But I have a good alibi: I was sleeping at that time! eheheh

Anyway, I'm still here and innocent of course! If you don't get news from me in the next couple of days... well, I'll see you on the 8 o'clock news! eheheh

Chinese Carnaval

Last weeked the chinese community in Paris celebrated the chinese new year with the typical parade/carnaval. Many newspapers described it as a the "chinese carnaval" but I think that the purpose was to get the tourists' attention! eheheh

Well, as something typical as is I had to go and see it by myself! There were two different parades: the first one, in the city center, was a small one because the traditional one is always held in the 13th district. Why the 13th? Well, the chinese community is there :P

The streets were crowded but very very colourful. But don't you think that was only reserved for chinese, because this "party" is asian in general, that's why you can see some typical costumes from china, thailand and korea.

Lots of firecrackers and fortune cookies... and guess what? The year of the rat will bring money and health. Where did I heard this before? :P

Photos and Videos highlights

Nham, nham!

Don't you think that everything in France is about fine cuisine... from time to time I see some interesting "snacks" being sold on the streets... but not your typical hot-dog.

I found this man selling some interesting meat-on-stick specialties (or meat kebabs). Usually I avoid fast-food or junk-food... but I was hungry... and the mix meat/onions/red peppers was stronger than I. :P

Oh well... time to go back to the salads! eheh

Happy New Rat Year

Today starts the new chinese year, the year of the Rat. But personally I like to call it the year of the Rat-atouille :P

After the "Ratatouille" movie last year, everyone knows Disney's second most famous rat.... right after Mickey (ok, ok ... one is a mouse and the other is a rat) :P

Anyway, our friend Rémy (no, the rat's name isn't Ratatouille) wishes you all a wealthy new chinese year.

But remember... if you drink, don't drive :P

With all this ratatouille talk, now I feel like eating a good provençal ratatouille... hmmmm :P
This traditional dish is originated from Nice and that's why it's full name is ratatouille niçoise. The word comes from "touiller," which means to toss food.

Gong Xi Fa Cai ;)

Movies - John Rambo

Live for nothing or die for something

Well, this is THE tagline that will be forever associated with the "John Rambo" movie.
Ok, this is a movie that I recommend for those who miss the old and real action movies, without cuts or censorship! :P

Nowadays when is more important for Hollywood studios to make money than to deliver the "real product", the latest Rambo surprises everyone (well, only those who watched the 3 previous movies! eheh) when it delivers a roller coaster of raw, brutal, explicit and violent action!
Even I was caught by surprise! :P But I was there to enjoy the ride. So I sat back and let the war begin! eheh Then it was a mix of "fun" and bloodish bodycounts!

So guys (usually girls step aside in this kind of movies), if you want the "real deal", action for action, watch this one. You haven't seen anything like it in movie theathers for decades and you won't see it another one soon!
For those who know the previous triology, it will be interesting when you find out the end of "John Rambo".

And yes, Sylvester Stallone was in the theater before the movie started. He gave a small speech and before leaving he even gave some autographs for some fans. :)

Rambo in Paris

It sounds like a trashy movie title, but it's a fact. Sylvester Stallone will be in Paris next Monday for the premiere of his latest comeback-movie.

After Rocky Balboa, now it's time for another iconic hero to say his last word. Maybe Rambo is not the best role model, but it's also true that there aren't lots of heroes worldwide "famous" nowadays.

Did you know that Stallone is already 62 years old? And imagine that after boxing last year, he will run into Burma to fight against sadistic military soldiers! What's next? eheh

But I'm his fan, and like a fan I luckily managed to get an invitation for this premiere! Maybe it's nothing special, but the highlight of this premiere will be the presence of the hero himself! Monsieur Rambo in Paris! What a great spoof movie it could be... Rambo running on the streets of Paris with a french baguete under his muscled arm! eheheh

Monday, January 4th, me and Rambo in the same cinema! I hope at the end we won't have any P.O.W. or M.I.A. victims :P

But the hero I'm really waiting for in 2008 is our beloved Dr. Indiana Jones... but that will be another story...