European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 23, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse The amphitrite Fountain and Arch stand in a Corner of place Stanislas. Chef Michel Douville right joins a poultry broker in inspecting Quail at the City Market. Nancy is a Quick jog from southwestern Germany via autobahn 6. It s easiest to Cross the Border at Saa Brucken and then follow the French autoroute a toll Road toward Metz. The single toll Stop on the autoroute about 15 Miles from the German Border will set you Back 1 7 francs or about $4. By the Way old 10 franc pieces Bronze coins about the size and shape of a fat Quarter Are no longer accepted in France. A Large rest Stop about three Miles past the toll Booth is a Good place to Stop for Coffee restrooms or last minute currency deals. At Metz the Highway splits follow the Lyon Dijon Nancy leg. Exit at the Nancy Centre Ville sign head Down the Hill and into downtown Nancy. Once in town you la probably want to drive directly to the tourist office on place Stanislas. From Italy and the South the Best route is via the autoroute from Basel Switzerland. Gas prices in France Are above $4 a gallon so it s Wise to tank up before heading across the Border. From Germany a Lull tank should easily get you to Nancy and Back with plenty left Over for tooling about the Countryside. If you end up a Little Short French Gas stations will happily sell you unleaded sans Plomb leaded ave Plomb and diesel Gas Oil fuel. In downtown Nancy the top dining spot is be Capuchin gourmand a Michelin one Star that offers such specialities As grilled foie gras and Pigeon cutlets. Three courses with wine runs $100 per person. It s at 33 Rue Gambetta Telephone 83-35-26-98. Another Good bet is the Stanislas where chef Michel Douville whips up probably the Best regional cuisine in town. Excellent service too. About $40 per person. It s on the place Stanislas Telephone 83-32-86-04. The Excelsior an Art Nouveau jewel on the Rue Mazaran specializes in Oyster and shrimp platters and other seafood. Large plates of fruits de Mer Start at $40, but you can sit Back and soak up the Interior for travellers As Little As the Price of a cup of Coffee. Telephone 8 -35-24-57. For More modest budgets there s Les Taverne Des Dorns a typical French Brasserie just Down the Street from the town Hall. Two course s a with House wine Cost about $20. It s at 47 Rue Des Dominie ams Telephone 83-32-10-65. Those who can afford it stay at Nancy s grand Motel a and that has included everyone from Marie Antoinette to John Mcenroe. Located on the plat e Stanislas the hotel features carefully restored 18th-Century rooms and impeccable service. Rooms Start at $100 a night. The hotel which celebrates its 100th birthday this year also offers package deals that include one overnight a breakfast and dinner a City tour and entry into the City s museums. Good savings but Call for current prices. Telephone 83-32-86-04. The Albert Astoria is a Lovely medium priced hotel within easy walking Disaru e of the town Hall. Loc ated at 3 Rue de i Armee Patton. Rooms Start at $50 per night. Telephone 83-28-47-78. The hotel Stanislas is c one Nielly located on the Rue Ste. Catherine a Short walk from ill the sights. No restaurant but decent rooms and Quality service at reasonable rate s. Double s Start at $40. Telephone 8 537-23-88. Unless you re fluent take along a Small dictionary. Even if you can t pronounce e the word you want you can at least Point it out. A Trench menu guide is also Handy for mastering haute cuisine although Many waiters in Nanc y speak German or a Little English. Travellers with Small children should have no problem finding supplies in a it Risis. Tor baby provisions try a pharmacy y first diapers Ltd s c out lies and pampers a pronounced Lay Jomp airs in trance a Are widely available. Drug store s usually have English speaking staffers. Smokers Are advised to bring along enough to see them through their trip since cigarettes and other smoking supplies Are available Only at Abac shops which May not always be Otjen when you need them. Cost obviously is another Factor. Other important words for harried travellers needing to unwind Biere or Beer pronounced Blair and red wine Vin Rouge pronounced Vehn Rouge. Cognac happily is Cognac. A . Kominiski january 21, 1992 stripes Magazine
