Where to start… ahhh Paris.. now here’s a city that we never do a food tour, every day is a food tour in Paris, that’s the fun of it, meandering around the city and going wherever the moods takes. We have found a few favorites along the way, I can’t think of anything more magical than wandering the streets of Paris, even in the rain, no one cares, that’s just a great excuse to stop in yet another cafe! There is such grace and elegance in this city, and the gastronomy never disappoints. We normally stay in St Germain or the Marais, there something about the vibe in these areas that’s so hard to stay away from!
St Germain is cafe after cafe.. so many places to explore… and eat! The famous cafe de Flore never disappoints, dating back to the 1800’s this cafe was a hangout for so many writers, philosophers and Picasso! And they do a mean baguette!
Very close to Cafe de Flore is my all time favorite restaurant in the world.. Le Relais de l’Entrecôte. Steak frites heaven is what it is! You are seated at the tiny cramped table, after a long wait in line unless you’re one of the early birds, no reservations are taken so you wait your turn and it is everything worth waiting for. You’re asked how you want your steak cooked, and the rest is taken care of.. it’s literally all they serve.. and its the best steak frites in the world. We have literally travelled to Paris just for this dinner. It’s crave-able heaven on a plate. No need for fancy wine in this place either, just order a bottle of their own table wine and it’s delicious. Once you’re wine is poured, you’ll be served your appetizer salad, simple fresh lettuce with French dressing and walnuts.. perfection waiting on the next round of perfection… with scrumptious French bread. Then the masterpiece steak arrives, oh Lordy.. it makes me want to cry just typing how darn good it is.. perfectly cooked, perfectly sliced and smothered in their famous secret sauce, oozing with tarragon and just.. gosh.. just got there and taste it for yourself! The perfectly cooked and salted fries are then served onto your plate, and away you go…. you devour it, savoring every mouthful.. wishing your heavenly experience wouldn’t end.. and then… here’s the server, she’s coming back.. noooo wait, would it be rude to lick the plate…. and then, as if an angel was just sent from the steak frites heavens, she serves you ROUND 2.. yeah.. round 2… another serving of steak and another serving of frites… if I died and went to heaven it would be a lateral move!! Make this steak frites a bucket list item!
If you have any room for desert, or at least share one.. go for the profiteroles.. ha, I’m crying still, it’s so good. This restaurant is my kinda heaven. Super super fresh ingredients cooked perfectly. If you do one thing and do it well.. well, that’s what happens at l’Entrecôte. They have a few in Paris and one in Geneva. I’ve made my own version of this dinner so many times, never have I ever perfected the secret sauce.. but I’ll not be stop trying, and maybe I just need to go back and taste it again to see where I need to adjust!
It takes me a moment to recover every time I think about L’Entrecote….
So also wandering around the streets of St Germain, be on the lookout for a cheese shop chain called Androulet... the cheese is insane!! Ohh.. and if you’re a French butter fan.. you can buy Bourdier butter here too, I like the salted version.. I know know.. cheese and butter, just keep walking it off!
Then there’s “The Smiths” bakery on Rue de Buci almost next door to one of our favorite little boutique hotels (Hotel de Buci).. This is an awesome bakery, try their pistachio cake!
OK all this walking is making me thirsty… St Germain Cocktail anyone?!
So let’s talk chocolate… hot chocolate.. and patisserie in general… if you’ve never experienced Angelina Cafe near the Louvre, I highly recommend a visit.. get ready for the sugar, it’s in abundance! I defy anyone to find a better hot chocolate anywhere in the world than here.. its outrageous!
OK.. while we’re on the sweet stuff, lets talk macarons.. The famous store that everyone goes to, including us, is Laduree, they are fantastic and a winner every time, however… if you find yourself in the Marais you absolutely must stop at Cafe Carette which is right by another favorite hotel Le Pavilion de la Reine, it’s in Place des Vosges. Their macrons are so fun, and the coffee is awesome too!
I could write for days about Paris…and there are likely to be more installments…
Before we sign off, remember you can take the trains so easily around Europe and you can get directly from Paris to Provence in a matter of hours.. stop and pick up a few of your favorite things, book your seats with a table.. et voila… I’m just sayin’! Lookout for the Provence posts soon!!
Au Revoir Paris!
