Report Cards

From Paris, FRANCE, Oct. 16, ’04. . .
• Le Navigator (63 rue Galande, 75005 Paris; phone 01 43 54 35 86) — in the fifth arrondissement. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Reservations advised. English spoken.
First course, main dish, dessert and house wine, €20 (near $25.50); for example, moules mariniere, coq au vin and mousse au chocolat. Escargots and soles meuniere are on more expensive menus.
— J.P. Williams, Brigadoon, U.K.

From Ulaan Baatar, MONGOLIA, Oct. 8, ’04. . .
• Millie’s Espresso (330 Marco Polo Place; phone 330338) — in the center of Ulaan Baatar city not far from the square and adjacent to the Chojin Lama Museum. Also close to some hotels.
After almost a month of local food in three Far East cities, it was a treat to find Millie’s, a Western food restaurant. Burgers, tacos, quiche, steaks, many kinds of coffee, smoothies, soft drinks and delicious shakes. Lunch for two, 11,500 tugriks (about $9.50).
— A.J. Goodhead, La Jolla, CA

On EUROPE, November ’04. . .
• All-inclusive tour, Oct. 29-Nov. 13, with Mediterranean Air & Land Tour Associates (124 St. Nicholas Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11237; phone 800/363-2715 or 718/418-7860 or visit www.maltours.com) — outstanding value for two absolutely great destinations.
Four-star hotels and outstanding meals (half board in Gozo, MALTA, and all meals in Sicily, ITALY, included). All sightseeing in Malta included in price; entrance fees in Sicily extra. $1,699 not including air from U.S.
I highly recommend this tour.
— Ed Lifset, Oceanside, CA

From Paihia, NEW ZEALAND, Sept. 26, ’04. . .
• Ruffino’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant — This small restaurant makes all its own pasta, sauces and doughs on the premises.
Very friendly staff. Has been in business for many years but recently changed owners. New owners use the same old recipes but have remodeled and brought a new friendliness to the place.
Some guidebooks suggest La Scala, which we found terrible, but Ruffino’s was one of the best Italian restaurants we visited in New Zealand. NZ$40 (US$28).

• La Scala — We arrived in Paihia looking for some good pizza. Our meal there was, without doubt, one of the worst meals I have ever had while traveling.
The portion was small, expensive (NZ$45, or US$30) and tasteless. We asked for some Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes to add flavor and they had neither; they offered Tabasco sauce. We couldn’t leave fast enough and we were still hungry.

• Glowworm caves, Waitomo — These caves are listed in all the guidebooks as “must see.” I don’t know why. The caves themselves are less interesting than many we have seen, and the boat ride to see the glowworms circles an area about the size of the average living room. The entire excursion lasted 45 minutes, and the area is a ways off the tourist circuit.
There are other places in New Zealand to see glowworms. The Waitomo site is definitely not worth the admission charged (NZ$28, or US$19) unless you are fascinated with small lights on the ceiling of a small cave.
— Gary Backlund, Tahuya, WA

On FRANCE, October ’04. . .
• Bistro du Monde (85 ave. Bosquet, 75007 Paris; phone 01 33 1 45 51 52 97) — Métro stop Ecole Militaire.
My husband and I spent a week in the rue Cler area and we found this lovely bistro where we would stop and have great coffee. The owner, Oliver, is friendly and doesn’t mind giving out helpful information and directions.
— Marilyn Santiago, Port Angeles, WA

From Brussels, BELGIUM, Sept. 25, ’04. . .
• Mugging alert — My husband and I were walking from the train station to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in the upper town. Our path took us through a deserted covered gallery, where a young man popped up, said he was a tourist and asked if we would we take his picture.
He handed me his camera and I snapped his picture, but then he said he wanted my husband in the shot and grabbed his arm. Two other men appeared, one flashing what appeared to be a police badge.
I started yelling, “No, no,” and took my husband’s arm and we ran out into the parking lot. They disappeared immediately and we were safe.
By the way, the museums were great.
— Marilyn Santiago, Port Angeles, WA