maBoum.com

Two concerts today by the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, one at 11.00 and one at 17.00. including Bach's Cantata 59 "Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten", Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus, and Haydn's Harmony Mass.

Plans to refurbish the Condamine Market are progressing. There's been talk about improvements for at least 2 years, and it seems that work may finally start in 2009. The market is located on the port side of Place d'Armes, under the shadow of the Rock.

You may have noticed some activity in the Costa Cremaillere building on boulevard Princesse Charlotte recently. We've been watching the comings and goings over the past few months and can now report that it will be opening its doors again very soon to the public. It looks like they'll be serving coffee, beer and snacks in the newly refurbished cafe, just below the old terminus of the La Turbie to Monte Carlo railway.

Work begins in Novermber to demolish the Hotel Balmoral, which has been closed since before maBoum arrived in Monte Carlo. In its place, a new 7 storey luxury residence will be built, scheduled for completion in 2010. The news was announced at the extraordinary general meeting of Monte Carlo SBM last Friday, along with two other projects: one to add a conference space to the Hotel Hermitage, the other to re-develop the Sporting d'Hiver, which many locals think is an eyesore.

If you were hoping to have dinner in the Santa Lucia, followed by a dance in The Legend night club downstairs, we're afraid you're too late. Both places have been closed for a couple of months now, and will stay closed permanently. We hear the premises, on the avenue des Spelugues, have been bought by Espace Mirage, a fashion boutique in the Metropole Shopping Centre. Demand for ready-to-wear designer labels in Monte Carlo must be growing.

A new place has opened in the Fontvieille district of Monaco, just round the corner from the Mecaplast factory. Our intrepid reporter notes that it's absolutely buzzing at lunchtime. With a name like Alden't (a play on the correct way to cook pasta "al dente"), we expect an Italian style trattoria or cafe. Rest assured that we'll be trying it out very soon.

A new team are taking over La Taverna on the rue des Roses. The restaurant bar is located on the corner of the street, in a residential area near the Novotel. Local competition includes the Cyrnos Bar, the Saint Michel Bar Tabac, and the Deli Gourmet pizza delivery business. With no space for pavement tables, we're expecting a cosy place for the locals. We'll keep you posted.

Rumour has it that the Texan restaurant in the Condamine district is to reopen. Regular visitors and residents will remember the old Texan, next door to Slammer's bar, closed a couple of years ago. We don't know yet if the new place will serve tex-mex and burgers like its predecessor, or even if it'll retain the same name. You can be sure that we'll tell you as soon as we find out.

Today is officially La Rentree, a return to the office or school, and for many restaurants and bars this marks the end of the tourist season. Here at maBoum, we've marked places that change their opening hours according to the time of year, so you won't turn up and find the doors closed. If you see a red message under the name of a place saying opening hours vary according to season, make sure to check the notes for more details.

Fontvieille, Condamine and Port Hercule will become dry for a few hours in the afternoon of Friday 29 August. This is because Stade Louis II will be hosting the annual UEFA Super Cup football match between Manchester United and Zenit Saint Petersburg. The ban on alcohol sales lasts from 14.30 to 20.45, so you'll be able to have a glass of wine with your dinner after the kick off.