MondayLunchCrew

This is the part one of my Paris Recommendations Week.

• In general, I've only had 1 or 2 poor meals (still edible but really not outstanding) in the last 3 trips to Paris. We were careful in picking where we should eat. We consult the menus posted outside; see if locals eat there, or just tourists. The French people care about food and it shows! We ate better at the small mom and pop shops than most restaurants back home. These listed are ones I really enjoyed and have gone and will go back time and time again.
• Meals (other than fast food) are taken at a slower pace. There's little chance of putting a rush on it. You may have rush service at lunch when it's really busy and you're squeezed in with the locals or at a tourist place, but in general, count on longer service than you might be used to. Enjoy it. Rest your feet, have conversation, plan your next stop, or the next day. Enjoy a slower pace! If you have to rush it, you might be better off going to take out places and getting your meal to go. And if you are going to be heading into a busy place at a busy time, expect to be squeezed into a table. You'll be elbow to elbow with the ones next to you. If you need a lot of personal space, keep it in mind.
• Crêperies in certain areas are just as fast as a drive through at home. Go line up at the window and order something to go. Galettes are savory. Crêpes are sweet. My favorite late night snack is a crêpe nutella.
• When in France, don't drink Coke! And if you do, don't complain about the price of it. Have what the locals have, coffee, tea, wine, beer! And if you are pinching pennies, take a seat inside. Places will charge you a premium for the people watching seats.
• Always check out set menus for the day. They are usually the best bargains.
• Unless you want a bottle of water (sparkling or flat, your choice) ask for 'une carafe d'eau'. They'll bring you the tap water which is safe and free to drink.
• If you want the weak north american style coffee one might be used to, make sure you ask for american coffee. Otherwise, dive into some of what coffee should taste like, ask for "une crème' and enjoy!
• And if you like chocolate, enjoy "un chocolat chaud" at a café. It's not like the watery runny swill that is served in restaurants and coffee shops in North America.
  
• Be adventurous, go into the Cheese shops and buy something you don't see at home. Do the same thing at the bakery.
• And whatever you do, don't be on a diet in Paris! Do that before or after! And eat whatever you fancy on your holiday and just resolve to walk to the next metro stop!

• Restaurant at Theatre du Rond-Point, 2 bis av Franklin Roosevelt metro. 75008
• Latin St. Jacques - for the Marmite casseroles. (St. Severin & St. Jacques) 6e arr.
  
• Le Grenier de Notre-Dame , 18 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005.  (vegetarian)
  
• Les Cinq Saveurs d'Anada , 72 rue du Cardinal-Lemoine, 5e arr. (vegetarian)
• Les Deux Magots 6 place Saint Germain des Prés -75006 Famous and of course you should go.
  
• Café de Flore, famed cafe.
• La Procope The oldest restaurant in Paris. Behind the restaurant is a passage way that's got nice shops, cafes.
  
• Alcazar 62 rue Mazarine, Paris, France. 6arr
• Crêperie Saint Andre des Arts, rue Saint Andres-des-Arts - 75006 Great place for crepes!
• Ladurée (Madelaine) The salad and sandwiches for lunch are delicious!
  
  
• Chez Clément Family restaurant chain. Open late, consistant, lots of locations.
• Cafe Mouffetard, rue Mouffetard.
  
• Le Jardin d'Artemis - rue Mouffetard (cheap eats street in 5th, lots of fixe-prix)
  
• In general rue Mouffetard is a great street for a great variety of food and at super prices. It also functions as a market.
  
  
• Gérard Mulot, 76, rue de Seine - 75006.Metro: Mabillion. Pâtisserie. Great take out food. Make sure to try out macarons. My favorite is the Pistache.
• Da Rosa - 75006. Speciality food store. Check it out just for the experience.
  

Labels: Paris, Travel

// posted by May @ 9/18/2006 07:57:00 a.m.