10243 Parisian Restaurant

[escortmad79]

Doing a quick Google search shows that it's a French restaurant in Massachusetts. Odd choice...

Not really considering Jamie is from Massachusetts

And what on earth is that chef doing with that wine bottle and sword?

Sabreing the Champagne Fizzy grape juice bottle:

The name on the sign only sounds half French.......Albert doesn't sound French at all......or does it ?

It does if you pronounce it French (Alb-air)

[ronenson]

A definite buy for me. It will be my first modular. Is that a 5x4 plate in the bed?

[escortmad79]

Google "french balcony" and I think you'll see what Lego intended to do with that "door to nowhere"... ;)

Also known as a Juliet balcony which adds to the romantic connotation of the proposal (Romeo & Juliet)

[lifeinplastic]

A definite buy for me. It will be my first modular. Is that a 5x4 plate in the bed?

I would imagine it is this part to assist with the rising/reclining movement of the bed.

http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/30042

[eurotrash]

I like how they done the SNOT green facade on the Apartment level (1st floor) with those 1x2 and 1x3's arranged vertically and facing each other on either side of each of the windows. Good technique.

...still can't find that damn seagull though...

[Captain Blockbeard]

While I like nearly every modular Lego has offered and wish I could afford one of them, I must say that I absolutely love this particular set over the rest (with the exception of the Green Grocer, my all-time favorite). If I were to buy just one modular, the Parisian Restaurant would be it.

[badbob001]

The only problem that I can see is that it's not modular any more! Yes - it fits in with the other buildings, so it's modular in that sense, but previous designs have had copyable middle floors or could be placed side to side to make a bigger building. With this one, the main door on the second floor wouldn't line up!

Actually, see how there are two doors on the second floor, one of which only leads to an almost-not-even-there balcony? Just remove that tiny balcony and the door behind it will line up with the top of the stairs. Brilliant!

I've never owned a modular so can someone explain this expansion concept? Do you mean to duplicate the second floor and use the copy as the third floor?

[SwissBrick]

Ok, a lovely set i must say, really wonderful to look at and a great joy to build but...

forgive me for bringing this up, but this set really makes me think whether Jamie created this by himself,

or with (a lot of) inspiration from the AFOL community. When i look at those gray feathers close to the roof,

it looks very similar to the ones in my police station Moc a few years ago (check Muntstraat Police HQ if you like)

It feels a bit like he used my idea, which should be some sort of compiment i suppose?...

Dear JJ,

I understand you had to bring this up, you are right, the feather technique is similar to the one you made with the Police HQ

Restaurant_Feathers par SwissBrick, sur Flickr

Munstraat_Police_HQ par SwissBrick, sur Flickr

The inspiration might really come from your building, but it is not IMO a bad thing, if Jamie and his team were inspired by the very best MOCs that are out there and combine techniques to deliver the customer the ever best building experience without "stealing" an entire concept, then I am more than happy with it. As I don't have the skills, time and so on to do so, I am glad that TLG does it for me.

I'd personally feel very proud if I were you (you can always send an email and ask if they could not send you a free 10243 for the inspiration, I would try...)

Back on topic, yes, Olive Green is definitely not a colour you see that much in Paris, more in Germany for instance, but gee, it looks so good!

Someone also mentioned the Eiffel Tower in the Chez Albert's sign (in the A), that's very often used in France, like you can see in the galleries lafayette logo (in the tt) (famous store):

Edited October 6, 2013 by SwissBrick

[Off the wall]

Thanks for the enlightenment on the 'door to nowhere'. At times my ignorance knows no limits.

[Aanchir]

I would imagine it is this part to assist with the rising/reclining movement of the bed.

http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/30042

Actually, it's 92099, 30042's newer and more versatile cousin.

I've never owned a modular so can someone explain this expansion concept? Do you mean to duplicate the second floor and use the copy as the third floor?

You've got it. As far as I know it's not something that the majority of buyers take advantage of, since it involves either buying duplicates of the set or buying duplicates of all the parts to the second floor, but it was one of the major selling points of the Café Corner when the line was first launched, and every subsequent modular building has included that feature in a similar capacity. In the case of the Town Hall, both the second and third floors are able to be duplicated in this fashion.

An odd side effect of this feature is that for every building except this one and the Palace Cinema, the second floor can be removed entirely (after all, for the second floor to be duplicated, the entry for the second and third floors has to be at more or less the same point on the floor plan). In the case of the Palace Cinema, this doesn't work because the top of the staircase would collide with the door to the rooftop, not that it really matters since a cinema with no screens is not a cinema at all! In this set's case, it might be physically possible to do this, but it would leave the third floor inaccessible except by somebody equipped with climbing gear.

[AndyC]

Really don't like the white and the detail on the top, front level. I think the following definition applies to that area of the building:

gild the lily

1. To adorn unnecessarily something already beautiful.

2. To make superfluous additions to what is already complete.

Whilst I'd agree with you from a purely architectural point of view, that kind of overly-busy design is quite common on Parisian buildings. You can't really blame TLG for mimicking the real flaws of a building style.

[Off the wall]

Whilst I'd agree with you from a purely architectural point of view, that kind of overly-busy design is quite common on Parisian buildings. You can't really blame TLG for mimicking the real flaws of a building style.

I think it's probably the 'overly-busy' design combined with a white that is as bright as a new snow fall. The white color emphasizes an architectural style that I just don't care for. Tone the color down a notch or two, and I wouldn't be as critical. I'll probably buy two Parisian Cafes and mod one to my own tastes. While I love the modular building series, I'm more of a Robie House type of person.

[parksroad]

I'd call it a matter of taste rather than a flaw. I've an interest in modern and contemporary design but many of the lesser examples are simply plain. FWIW, I love the decorative elements of older European buildings--it's a mode of expression, and only looks extravagant from a contemporary vantage point, imho.

[Gryphon Ink]

I love those "gingerbready" design elements, too. I'm really fond of older European and Euro-inspired architecture, and spent a lot of time looking up at examples of the real thing. Those white decorations add a special ambience to the set IMO.

I really love this set. It's the first modular that I feel I have to buy despite uts high price.

[kermit]

I also cant find the darn seagull. Maybe its a mistake and they are referring to the turkey after all what would a seagull be doing in the middle of paris. I plan on decking out the back with some seats and tables covered by a canopy of hanging vegetation like in the front part of the building. It such a waste of space not to use more of the back since there is a lot more room as oppose to other modulars.

[Aanchir]

I also cant find the darn seagull. Maybe its a mistake and they are referring to the turkey after all what would a seagull be doing in the middle of paris. I plan on decking out the back with some seats and tables covered by a canopy of hanging vegetation like in the front part of the building. It such a waste of space not to use more of the back since there is a lot more room as oppose to other modulars.

They mention the turkey separately when listing the food items, so I doubt that's where the confusion comes from. Maybe there was GOING to be a seagull and it got cut from the final set, but that part of the product description wasn't updated.

[kermit]

They mention the turkey separately when listing the food items, so I doubt that's where the confusion comes from. Maybe there was GOING to be a seagull and it got cut from the final set, but that part of the product description wasn't updated.

I think there should of been one more minifigure. A lady walking a poodle :head_back:

[ER0L]

There's nothing not to be liked here. Shaping, colours, details, techniques - we get the full package. After the rather bulky TH and the somewhat imperfect PC (although I quite like it) this is something very sophisticated and harmonious at the same time. Surely a favourite.

[LegoFan82]

Sorry but can someone enlighten me again on what the door with a non-existent balcony is for again?

[Aanchir]

Sorry but can someone enlighten me again on what the door with a non-existent balcony is for again?

Two functions: in the regular model, it's a balconet. But suppose you want to add an additional story by duplicating the second floor. You remove the balconet from the new third floor and re-attach it at the base of the staircase between the third and fourth floors, so that it isn't a suicide magnet.

[autobrick]

This is amazing; lovely details and a new scooter. Size is a bit small, but I'm okay with that.

I wasn't crazy about the Town Hall or the Theatre, but this just might be my favourite modular building yet. Well done, Lego!

[Keechy]

This might be my favorite modular yet And that says a lot. I love the color scheme and details in the facade are fantastic.

+1, I've got them all. After six months I'll see which I like better this or the Green Grocer(My personal favorite)

[mautara]

Hi, this is an amazing set, even if i'd liked to see it a little bit taller.

Anyway, i'm wondering how Jamie attached the snot walls on the first floor. I like this tecnique and have developed one on my own for my "italian-style" buildings (http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/1344), but this time i can't figure out how he made it.

Any ideas?

[kevin8]

I think it's one of the best modular ever. It seems to be made by AFOL to AFOLs.

After two disappointing modulars like Town Hall and Cinema with no really interesting techniques, they have found a new way to impress me.

[melbs]

lots of hypebeasts for this product

this is a sure mod for me, i'll get a second set, to double the 2nd floor and make the building 4 story tall.

i'll then make the second floor a bar with a live band.

3rd and 4th floors will be a loft type apartment

Edited October 7, 2013 by melbs