Returning to France Day 7

Song - These Are the Days by Van Morrison


Jackie, Sydney and I got up early and headed to Pierre Herme's bakery near Saint-Sulpice.  We stood in line, in the rain to get a fresh croissant.  They are popular and go very quickly!

It was so hard to choose once I saw all of that goodness in front of me!

.....but it was just breakfast time!

 So I stuck with my original decision and got a croissant....but it was a Passion Fruit crossiant!

 Oh my graciousness was it wonderful! Every last crumb!

 With our souls having been filled by that yummy croissant we ventured around the corner to Odorantes - a tiny flower shop filled with sweet peas, peonies, ranunculus, freesias etc.  They were not quite open for business yet so we headed over to some other local shops.

Cire Trudon a candlemakers shop.....


Souleiado a Provencal fabric & clothing shop.......


 A few posies were around the corner in Le Marche Saint Germain and begged to be photographed....

 After dropping off our purchases at the hotel we Ubered over to E. Dehillerin in the 1st Arr. for our copper fix!

 I have been known to bring home copper pots for Mr. B in my suitcase - large ones too! This time I spotted a small pan with a very beautiful shape but figured that I would wait to buy it until Mr. B and I return to Paris in a few weeks. No sense lugging it around France for all of that time.

And guess what time it is?   Yup.  Lunchtime!  We wanted to eat at Cinq-Mars near the Musee d'Orsay but there was a 30 minute wait as we did not have any reservations. So we walked around the block and did some window shopping.....well maybe stepped inside a few places.  Like this cheese shop - just for a quick sniff!

By then it was time to be seated at the cafe and eat.........something yummy!

Sydney and I each ordered the Morel mushroom omelette...... 

And Jackie had the asparagus and terrine......

Once again our souls were happy!

Sydney took off to explore while Jackie & I headed back to our hotel to wash our hair.  No dinner tonight as we were all too full!

"In France, cooking is a serious art form

 and a national sport." 

 -- Julia Child

Learning to Fly - Part deux

Song - Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver

Since some friends and I will be heading to Paris in a few weeks, I have been getting my Paris binder organized.  In it are places to shop, parks & museums to see, places to eat, etc.  May I take you to some of my favorite dining places in Paris?  Most are casual as Mr. B and I have done the expensive stuffy ones and we prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.  Some of these restaurants were recommended by a friends daughter who lived in Paris for several years while attending cooking school at Le Cordon Bleu.  Many are bistro's that my girlfriends and I just happened upon or discovered by word of mouth.

NIBBLES

**Usually the hotel desk will make reservations for you

L’Epigramme –6th ARR. a small family run restaurant, very small, very good.

9 Rue de l'Éperon

 

Poilane – buy bread, a bread knife and then have lunch next door with open sandwiches at Cusine de Bar - 8 Rue Cherche Midi 75006 Paris, France

Cuisine de Bar – Comptoir Poilane – serves tartains (small open face sandwiches)

8 rue du Cherche Midi

Cinq-Mars – near the Musee d’Orsay – great for lunch & near Musee d’Orsay

cinq-mars-restaurant.com   

51 Rue de Verneuil

+33 1 45 44 69 13

Restaurant Joséphine Chez Dumonet - 6th ARR. - (David Lebovitz recommended)

117 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris, France

+33 1 45 48 52 40

  

Les avant-comptoirs  - 6th ARR. - Two restaurants next to each other. -  Every day from 12 pm to 23 pm

3 carrefour de l'Odéon - 75006 Paris.  Reservationless

  

Pierre Herme – 6th ARR. - one word…
Croissant (Kwa-san)….yum. !!  Go early because they sell out soon.  It is near Saint-Sulpice

72 Rue Bonaparte

Le Récamier – 7th ARR. - Souffles for every course and other French food – Presidents and famous people eat here. Cosy, casual & late night dining. Watch the waiter to see where the wine cellar is located! And if you order the Grand Marnier Souffle for dessert they leave the whole bottle on your table to pour til you heart is content.....

4 Rue Récamier, 75007 Paris, France

Hours: Closes: 11PM ⋅ Opens 12PM Mon          

Phone: +33 1 45 48 86 58

They must hire small waiters to fit into that wine cellar!

Pizza Chic – 6th ARR. -  if you want a break from French food, this is the place to enjoy a delicious authentic pizza. Reservations needed. Right next door to Hotel de l’Abbaye. But keep your eyes on your husband!!!

13 Rue de Mézières

Café de la Paix – 9th ARR. The Cafe de la Paix is located just across from the Opera Garnier in a very impressive old building which is beautifully decorated in the classic French style. Fun to sit outside & order a more casual meal like French Onion soup.  5 Place de l'Opera, 75009

Fauchon – 8th ARR. -  High end food shop near the Madeline – Just to wander around and observe…..maybe buy an Elephant Ear cookie

Les Papilles - 5th ARR.

30 rue Gay Lussac, 75005
Hours: Closed Sunday & Monday; Open Tuesday-Saturday 9.30am-midnight
Reservations: Book a week or two in advance
Telephone: 01 43 25 20 79
Average price for lunch: 20-39€
Average price for dinner: 20–39€
Style of cuisine: Classic French

Café Varenne - 7th ARR

36, rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France

Reservations: +33 1 45 48 62 72

At the heart of the 7th Cafe Varenne, lively and very cozy brasserie offers traditional cuisine prepared with taste and refinement.(Ina Garten loves their country omelette)

Le Bistrot de Paris - 6th ARR.- along the Seine - Traditional. Great veal chops.(Also recommended by Ina Garten)  33 rue de Lille, 75007

Boulangerie OdÉon - Eric Kayser - 6th ARR.

10 rue de l'ancienne comédie
Paris, 75006    Tél 01 43 25 71 60

Ouvert de 7h à 20h, fermé le dimanche

Le Procope –  6th ARR. - Old World French Restaurant - This is the place that Napoleon left his hat as security while he went out in search of money to pay his bill. It’s a legendary restaurant in the 6th ARR. of Paris since 1686. Procope offers traditional cuisine through different specialties such as Coq au vin and the calf's head. 13 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris, France

procope.com  +33 1 40 46 79 00

The next two are great bistro's to relax and people watch -

Café de Flore - 6th ARR.

172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France

cafedeflore.fr

+33 1 45 48 55 26

Les deux Magot - 6th ARR.

6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris, France

lesdeuxmagots.fr

+33 1 45 48 55 25

Best sandwich I have ever eaten....looks kinda plain huh?  Well the butter comes from Normandy, the jambon (ham) comes from Italy and the bread is from around the corner - Poilane! Not plain at all. Yummmm....

And sometimes it's very nice to have a simple picnic in the park.....

"The only time to eat diet food 

is while you're waiting for the steak to cook."

 - Julia Child