About Terrance

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He has been interviewed on FORUM, KQED-San Francisco’sprestigious morning talk show and has addressed The Commonwealth Club and The Metropolitan Club in San Francisco.

He is the author of Paris par Hasard: from Bagels to Brioches, a spirited, anecdote-filled memoir that has its poignant moments as we follow Terrance’s life that began in post-war Casablanca, continued in the coal mining country of western Pennsylvania, acquired definition on the streets of Brooklyn, added polish in San Francisco and ultimately ended and restarted in the Paris he was born to inhabit. Paris par Hasard: from Bagels to Brioches, a spirited, anecdote-filled memoir that has its poignant moments as we follow Terrance’s life that began in post-war Casablanca, continued in the coal mining country of western Pennsylvania, acquired definition on the streets of Brooklyn, added polish in San Francisco and ultimately ended and restarted in the Paris he was born to inhabit.

If you ever wondered how Terrance Gelenter came to earn the title ‘Mister Paris’, this book will tell you. A ‘grande bouffe’ of gossip, anecdote and revelation. Enjoy!” – John Baxter, author of The Most Beautiful Walk in the World.

Like Paris itself, this compact book is filled with secret streets and splendid boulevards, legend and lore, the present and the past, along with passionate talk at cafe tables, the breeze off a great river, the charm of bookstores, the majesty of galleries and museums, and, of course, the most important of all human emotions: delight. It’s like an evening with M. Gelenter himself, walking, dining, laughing, learning.–Pete Hamill

Fans and friends of Terrance will not be surprised (or maybe they will) at this breezy and charming memoir, and those who don’t know him will enjoy making a new friend.
–Diane Johnson, Le Divorce

Terrance addressing theCommonwealth Club in San Francisco.

 

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Live from the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco

Sydney G, urges you to buy the book

Alexander “Lucci” Gelenter loves the book

The pleasure of sharing a petit rouge with Terrance in Paris is multiplied six-fold – France, after all, is a hexagon – in these pages. His travels take him from the vineyards of Burgundy and Bordeaux to the châteaux of the Loire and the delights of the Riviera, with a visit to Normandy’s D-Day beaches as an aside. And, no surprise, his stepping stones are meals, all described in succulent detail, accompanied by an opinion on the chosen wines. With his inimitable voice, he is a good guide for the best possible reason: he wants us to enjoy this bucolic land as much as he does.

Alan Riding-author of And The Show Went on: Culture in Nazi-Occupied Paris

TRAVELS in FRANCE with TERRANCE

Terrance, many thanks for sharing your traveler’s tales. Although a vast number of “guide” books on France already exist none of those have what only you can provide – you, always an inimitable raconteur. Your connaissances, your bonhomie, your joie-de-vivre enliven these singular anecdotes. TRAVELS IN FRANCE WITH TERRANCE is informative, entertaining and sans pareil . . . Chapeau –S Rosenberg, book-buyer Brentano’s-Paris 1984-2009

Buy the book 

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Known on the streets of his Brooklyn neighborhood as the Doo-Wop King of Flatbush Avenue and the white Johnny Mathis, Terrance has performed in the Catskill Mountains at the once incomparable Grossinger’s,in San Francisco at Martuni’s and in Paris at the Swan Bar, Le Mesturet, the Closerie des Lilas, The Duke’s Bar of the Westminster Hotel and  Shinseki.

The uber-talented pianist, Sheldon Forrest, frequently accompanies Terrance as he offers a sampling of his favorite love songs including classic Bolero love sings in Spanish, a smattering of French classics and a large tip of the hat to Tony Bennett.

When Terrance took to the floor, the magic started and I have to say myself and my friends thoroughly enjoyed our evening which was quickly turning with Terrance’s melodious Brooklyn voice from English club to Village Jazz Club. I was happy to see the stress literally  fall off my husband as he relaxed and said ‘wow it’s been such a long time since I’ve heard a real crooner’ as Terrance sang one mythical number after another; Smile, My Foolish Heart, Blame it on My Youth , Sabor a Mi, Over The Rainbow, Fly Me to the Moon……….

Patricia Killeen, Paris

Have a listen

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Meet Terrance at his Paris office, Le Sélect, 99 Blvd. Montparnasse, Sundays 11:AM-12:30PM

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When Terrance took to the floor, the magic started and I have to say myself and my friends thoroughly enjoyed our evening which was quickly turning with Terrance’s melodious Brooklyn voice from English club to Village Jazz Club. I was happy to see the stress literally  fall off my husband as he relaxed and said ‘wow it’s been such a long time since I’ve heard a real crooner’ as Terrance sang one mythical number after another; Smile, My Foolish Heart, Blame it on My Youth , Sabor a Mi, Over The Rainbow, Fly Me to the Moon……….

-Patricia Killeen, Paris

For a special Paris night on the town ,Don’t miss Duke’ s Bar in the Westminster Hotel. Thursday nights, Terrance, a great interpreter of classic songs holds forth.  Don’t pass up the best Club Sandwich in Paris prepared by their one star chef.  Once you’ve been there you will become a regular. 

-Bob Glaser, Paris, France. 

Thanks for this magnifique show. Tony Bennett can’t sleep easy anymore.

–Eric Beauclerc

Events

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Regularly scheduled literary salons with guest writers, private dinners, restaurant openings, wine tastings,market visits and cooking classes attract a discerning, sophisticated crowd who love to have a good time while they learn. Our cadre of Paris–based colleagues happily share their passion for this magical city.
   

The Paris Insider Newsletter

THE PARIS INSIDER family of weekly newsletters,Including THE PARIS INSIDER (Tuesday,) THE PARIS READERS CIRCLE (Wednesday,) THE PARIS WEEKENDER (Thursday,) and THE PARIS INTERVIEW (Friday) offer freshly written reviews about restaurants, museums, books, events, showings and what's on in Paris. Arriving at 9:15 AM Pacific Time you'll receive all of this plus tips on excursions to the surrounding regions from Champagne to the Loire Valley and much more. Thank you for subscribing.

Bistros

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No one should have a bad meal in Paris! Whether a 2-star restaurant or a local bistro there should always be an excellent rapport qualité prix– relationship between price and quality. At my favorites you will be treated as a regular and have a satisfying experience. Just tell them  “Terrance sent you.”