Petra Penttila
Gael Petrina
Photos by Chris Card Fuller ©2008
You don’t have to walk far to find Jazz in Montparnasse. I like to listen to jazz when I’m alone. The best way to listen to jazz (in my opinion) is when you’re alone (with the exception of Dixieland). Tonight I was wandering around Montparnasse on this long weekend - having just taken the train back from Lisieux.
Actually, I was looking for a casual dinner spot where I might enjoy a light meal and a glass of wine. It took a long time to find just the right place. The place is La Beliere at 74 Rue Daguerre - and its specialty is jazz plus good food.
Tonight’s group the Petra Penttila trio created just the right ambiance to set the mood - for a laid back evening.
In addition to comfortable seating, singles are welcomed with a choice of places to sit. Service is impeccable and not a crumb or a scrap of paper is left on your table. That’s thanks to the meticulous attention of La Beliere’s staff. While the guests enjoy the music, the staff move with military precision - it sounds unreal for a jazz bar - but it’s true. For an evening meal, the main course is extremely reasonable. 12.50 Euros for example.
The Supreme de Volaille - chicken in mushoom sauce is straightforward and unpretentious.
I guess I’m a little gun shy about ordering dinner in jazz clubs - after Copenhagen. There, we waited an hour and a half for the main course - until finally, the waiter admitted that the cook had quit. Chris and I have had meals at other Paris jazz venues (whose names I won’t mention), but now my faith has been restored.
You can dine and enjoy good jazz simultaneously at La Beliere.
The vocalist for this trio Petra Pentilla hails from Finland but she’s a Paris resident. Gael Petrina has sojourned in Los Angeles. I didn’t get a chance to talk to the percussionist - so I’m sorry not to be able to mention his name as well - but that may soon be remedied.
In Paris, you’re bound to meet jazz artists from every corner of the planet - and many of them will take the time to speak with you in English.
La Beliere Welcome
Jazz Bar/Restaurant
74 Rue Daguerre
75014 Paris
Metro: Denfert Rochereau
Open 7 pm to Dawn.
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