Chez Marianne. Le Marais.

Chez Marianne. Middle Eastern café located in the heart of the Marais. It may attract a lunch crowd, but dinner particularly inside was quiet. Salmon, s’il vous plait. A plateful of smoked salmon arrived unappealing. The proprietor, while kind enough to take it back looked none too happy. At least, he didn’t smile. Next, “Les Assiettes Composees.” This is a popular selection with small, medium, and large plates available. Prices range from 12 to 16 Euros; a plate for two can be shared for 26. Un petit plat, s’il vous plait. The stuffed grape leaves were divine. Tabouleh should have lots of parsley and be very fresh tasting; not at Chez Marianne. There was enough garlic on the diced tomato salad and green peppers to keep Count Dracula away. While falafel balls are one of my favorites, the cold balls didn’t tempt. I won't be back to sample them. Chez Marianne, a disappointment to be sure.

Chez Marianne, 2 rue des Hospitalieres-St Gervais [4e].

Hot Jazz at 9. Hot, hot, hot.

9 Jazz Club. Jazz and blues from Chicago with Ursuline Kairson who sang among friends Sunday evening. Loved her range, her smile, her poise. The venue was hot and her performance even hotter. Her compositions evoked laughter and warmth. In “I’m Leaving you Baby,” her lyrics amused. “It’s a sad situation when a woman would rather be by herself” and “Everything you say is a big fat bore.” “If it ain’t hot, it ain’t good.” The heat did not deter Ursuline who quipped, “If anyone has a bath towel…” and “We’re going to take a shower and we’ll be right back.” Hot Jazz at 9. Hot, hot, hot.

9 Jazz Club, 9 rue Moret [11e]: http://www.myspace.com/le9jazzclub.

Ursuline Kairson: http://www.myspace.com/ursulinekairson.

L'As du Falafel. Le Marais.

L’As du Falafel. As good as the guidebook said it would be. A falafel joint located at 34 rue des Rosiers offers take-out and eat-in dining. I arrived at 11:00 a.m., starving after two hours following a walking tour in the Marais. My falafel arrived piping hot and overflowing with vegetables and sauce. I never had a falafel with shredded red cabbage, but I loved it. I sat comfortably on one of the chairs outside (no tables, I am afraid) with two napkins instead of one (bright yellow may I add). I couldn’t be happier and all for 5 Euros. Best falafel I have ever eaten. There are several falafel restaurants on Rue des Rosiers. I may have to sample them all!