Ok, so I do know that it’s not really in the remit of this blog to keep posting about foreign food experiences (we are 54 food miles) but I just had to say something about my trip to Paris.
Predictably, the trip pretty much centered around food (well why on earth wouldn’t it?) and it was delicious. Of course, every good meal should start with an apperatif, and what better one is there than champagne?
Luckily for me, and my journalist’s wallet, there was a handy little Nicolas very near our lovely Latin Quarter hotel which sold half a bottle of good champagne brut for 11 euros. So we had it on the balcony overlooking the Pantheon:
Champagne a la Pantheon
The amazing thing about Paris is that no matter where you are, be it a run-down street in Pigalle, or a posh avenue in the 7th arrondissement, the chances are you’ll be within about two metres of a boulangerie (translate: cake shop), an artisan chocolatier or a deli of some sort.
I didn’t manage to eat as much as I window shopped, but let’s just say I glimpsed more cakes, macaroons, cheeses, croissants and chocolates in three days than some poor sods see in a lifetime:
Mmmm... pastry and cream...
...and some more
well I couldn't leave out the cheese, could I?
Unquestionably my favourite restaurant of the whole trip was Le Chartier, in Montmarte. We had to queue for about 45 minutes to get in – which normally I’m no good at, but my much-travelled housemate told me it would be worth the wait, and it was.
Queueing to get into Le Chartier
The huge, high ceilinged dining room was bustling with Parisians all picking their way through the honest brasserie fare of escargot, steak and fish, and our waitress was like a modern day culinary Edith Piaf – small, French and fiery.
It’s the kind of place they pack you in, treat you mean and write your food order on your table cloth.
I started with a deliciously simple salad of chicory with Roquefort. The dressing was just incredible. It was the kind of dressing that makes you sit there polishing your plate with French bread. Then I had steak au poivre.
the dining room at Le Chartier
our order
salad avec Roquefort
look at those frites!
We then finished off half a bottle of Buzet, before heading off to the Sacre Coeur for some much needed ice cream.
Anyone else got some Paris food stories?
French food is just amazing!! lol hope u have fun having the macaroon in paris, our special delicacy here. I’m not sure if you’ve tried LaDuree’s macaroon but that’s the best in Paris!!
Thanks. I didn’t manage to try those macaroons but will certainly sniff them out next time! Where are you based?