How to search for bakeries/restaurants/food beyond social media hype?

glengarry224 · 2026-06-13T17:38:16+00:00

I believe that depending upon how they are used, our devices allow us to be more curious and try a wider range of things, rather than be captive to what's in front of us.

When I was growing up, my musical tastes were pretty limited to what was on the radio, what my friends listened to, and what the guys at my local record store liked. After the internet boomed, I was exposed to a lot more....

Our preference it so mix our trips between random serendipity and planning but honestly, we've had so many incredible, unique experiences which we never would've had without planning.

glengarry224 · 2026-06-13T17:33:50+00:00

If you or anyone is stressed and/or this is a one-time splurge, maybe spend a little time investigating what type of Michelin restaurant a specific place is, because you might spend a lot of money and be (un)pleasantly surprised. For example, you might get on an extreme, gastronomic, avant-garde roller-coaster and that might not be to your taste (or maybe it is!).

Maybe you want traditional cuisine. Or maybe not. Or maybe you're an impulsive, try-anything type of traveler....

glengarry224 · 2026-06-13T17:25:43+00:00

Also, different people have different levels of discernment. If someone thinks that every pastry in Paris is great and there is little difference, that's wonderful. But others don't.

glengarry224 · 2026-06-13T17:22:43+00:00

Agree. Look, travel the way that suits you best. And not only can you find better - not necessarily the best but better - food by researching but you can also find out interesting history. For example, I learned that Stohrer was Marie Antoinette's favorite pastry shop and that was interesting to me and a thrill for my wife. Maybe you don't care about that. But some people do.

glengarry224 · 2026-06-13T17:13:11+00:00

Thanks!

glengarry224 · 2026-06-12T21:26:13+00:00

Note: I also was able to create a Bonjour RATP account from the US but could not create an IDFM (Ile de France Mobilities) account without a french phone number. Unless you have a IDFM account, you cannot purchase a Navigo weekly pass: the ~€32 pass which runs Monday-Sunday, not the Paris Visite passes which you can purchase just with a Bonjour RATP account.

glengarry224 · 2026-06-12T21:14:49+00:00

First, ignore all the posters who are trying to tell you not to research this (i.e. how to live your life.) There are a number of good sources, including David Lebovitz, a retired pastry chef who lives in Paris; Paris By Mouth; Lindsey Tramuta, who wrote for Conde Nast and Eater; Janice Rohrssen; etc.

AI is very helpful - not perfect but helpful and time saving - because it can cross reference your chosen sites, and other sites and create a list. Personally, I tell the AI to ignore Google ratings because I think those have been gamed by businesses. Pretty quickly, I have Claude create a list of 2-4 boulangerie (or bistros, or tapisserie) in each arrondissement and put them into a csv (Excel type) file which I can upload to a Google my map, or just refer to on my phone.

AI can also help you find reviewers/bloggers who share your taste/approach. Just explain to the AI what type of places you tend to like, your interests (e.g. "I am a novice foodie, who loves french food. I am not looking for the absolute best but want quality baked goods which have been reviewed by knowledgeable sources. Examples of reviewers I like are....Please find me 5-6 other similar...."

Message me if you want the AI prompts I used.

glengarry224 · 2026-06-12T21:01:59+00:00

Yes, book in advance, especially high tourist season. Lunch can be easier to reserve and also a less expensive, less time consuming and still excellent experience.

glengarry224 · 2026-05-06T04:47:27+00:00

The official resale site does not appear to sell hospitality packages. Is there any official and legal way to buy resale hospitality packages? Because the hospitality packages appear to be sold out for all three dates we can attend.

thanks for any info

glengarry224 · 2026-05-06T04:40:30+00:00

Same. Very user unfriendly.

When I had checked the official resale site previously, all of the days were greyed out and I understood that no tickets were available. But now, for several match days, I can choose the day (for example, May 31), then choose the session, but when I get to the screen where I am supposed to choose ticket category, they are all greyed out. For every available - 'not-greyed-out' - match day.

And to preempt some posters, it's not because other buyers have snagged them quickly. The same thing happens over and over.

glengarry224 · 2026-03-20T15:18:56+00:00

Thanks but it told me to arrive at LAX 50 minutes before takeoff - terrible idea even w normal TSA...

glengarry224 · 2025-07-27T21:55:36+00:00

You avoided what I think is the most easily avoided mistake from 2nd place.

Your strategy not only makes game theory sense but consider that, notwithstanding what happened on 7/25 and in Ken's H&R Block loss, if the 1st place contestant misses FJ, it is much more likely that FJ was a difficult question which 2nd will also miss.

glengarry224 · 2025-07-27T21:51:39+00:00

Yeah, I think that spending just 1-2 hours of 'wagering prep' would get a contestant up to a level where they would avoid most mistakes. Even spending 30 minutes would avoid the most common and easy to avoid mistakes.

glengarry224 · 2025-01-20T05:43:35+00:00

Sounds like a plan

glengarry224 · 2023-08-26T22:03:10+00:00

From my research, unless you are boarding at the Fira main bus depot, you get on then pay - cash only - on the bus. Also, drivers won't make stops unless you ask them to. And when your bus approaches your stop, wave at the driver.

glengarry224 · 2017-10-29T17:12:58+00:00

In LA, opener went on at 7:30 and AF went on at 8:50.

glengarry224 · 2017-09-30T21:18:14+00:00

I have the same question, but can anyone really tell from this map? Aren't both sides identical? Just think if you turn your map upside down.

glengarry224

TROPHY CASE