More Photos: Paris Comics Expo

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Paris Cuisine

Our DK Paris guidebook writes:   "The French national passion for good cuisine makes eating out one of the greatest pleasures of a visit to Paris."

So true!  In fact, within a few hours of getting unpacked, Doug and I walked a few blocks for lunch at Le Paprika, one of 2 restaurants in this building near our apartment in Montmartre.  Friends working nearby highly recommended eating here; the menu featured both Hungarian and French dishes.  I preferred the Hungarian menu - the goulash soup was delicious!

The following day we had lunch next door at Auberge du Clou; in fact, we returned several times for dinner and really appreciated eating in the upstairs dining room because the fireplace was so inviting!  The food, friendly staff and service was wonderful!

We were fortunate that a friend who owns a shop near restaurant itineraires in the Latin Quarter made a dinner reservation for our large group; the popular Michelin star restaurant offered delicious food, a knowledgeable, friendly staff and a superb wine list.

Most of us ordered one of the 2 multi-course options and the staff provided excellent explanations and recommendations in English, which I appreciated because both my French and familiarity with "nose to tail" dining are minimal!

Presentation of each course was so unique and visually tempting that I couldn't resist taking photos, especially when it came to our 3 delectable desserts!

The Paris Comics Expo (Nov. 23-24, 2013) entertained Featured Guests, including Joe Benitez (far left) and Frank Cho (center), at the close of Friday's expo at a lively French restaurant near the convention center.  Doug and I enjoyed talking with Steffi (far right) from Berlin.

The expo provided fantastic 2-course lunches for guest artists and friends both days.

After the 2-day expo closed on Sunday, a small group went for dinner at L'Assiette, another recommended favorite.  We weren't disappointed; the pate was delicious!!!

Wine was equally GREAT!

Conversation ceased when the main course was served; the cassoulet - a hearty classic French dish that gets its name from the pot its baked in - deserved 5 out of 5 stars!!!

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Cosplay at Paris Comics Expo

When Doug and I got to the Paris Comics Expo Saturday morning, we saw lots of attendees in costume waiting in line, but throughout the day, we didn't see many walking the aisles and stopping to pose for photos.  Where were they?

 

After lunch, while Doug was doing interviews, I decided to check out the convention floor.  The aisles were crowded, but a big crowd was in the far back corner at the performance stage watching presentations, contests and panels. 

 

And to either side of the stage, cosplayers were posing at photo boards and 2 backdrops with lighting.   

 

I convinced Doug to check out the back performance stage area Sunday afternoon so I could get a few photos for the blog since the cosplayers in Paris, unlike at U.S. comics-cartoon conventions, seemed to avoid the aisles of exhibitors and artists.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Photos: Paris Comics Expo

Although the Paris Comics Expo is a newcomer to the convention scene, it offered many of the same activities as what one would find at most comics-cartoon conventions - book and collectible booths, an artist alley, author-artist signings, etc.   

A major difference, however, was cosplay and designated photo op areas - I'll post more about this in a separate blog post!

Lines at Urban Comics were long because David Finch was an exclusive guest.

Artist Alley had a prominent, central location during the 2-day expo.

It was interesting to see a Harley Quinn makeup artist have a booth and give demonstrations throughout the day.

There were several photo booths near the Show Stage; these were popular with attendees who wanted an expo souvenir.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)