Paris: Foodie Things

I know you're not going to believe it, but I really didn't take many pictures of food on this trip! Actually, I think I only took a photo of one meal. I know, I know, what's wrong with me? I guess a lot of this had to do with the fact that I did not want to look like a tourist. I was doing pretty well at not sticking out because I was with Katie, who is such a fluent French speaker, and I wanted to keep it that way. I figured breaking out the camera, even without the brain-numbing flash, would ruin the charade. So, I went photo-less for most of my meals. Still, I had a very good time eating them.


A typical (and wonderful) Parisian afternoon



The first thing I ate in Paris (and in France!) was an applesauce pastry from a patisserie a few blocks from Katie's apartment; before we even got there! I'd just gotten off the train from London; I hadn't eaten since England and was a bit peckish. Katie suggested a pastry, and who was I to say no? It was flaky like a croissant and filled with cinnamon-laden homemade applesauce. It was after bite 3 or 4 that I knew i was in trouble. Such availability wold be the death of me.

That first day, we had lunch in Katie's apartment, then took in Notre Dame, Shakespeare and Company, etc. But we took a break at a little cafe and had some half pints of lager, French style: crammed in on the sidewalk, elbow-to-elbow with strangers, facing the street, people-watching. 

 After the Eiffel Tower:

Croque madame; a croque monsieur comes sans egg

We were hungry, so we hopped on the Metro to a cheaper destination; remember, from my previous post, that everything is more expensive closer to the landmarks! I believe we were close to the University of Paris when we stopped for food.


Check out that cheesy, crunchy beauty to the right. That is a croque madame, a French sandwich consisting of ham, crispy, sharp cheese, and in this case, a fried egg. I can't imagine having it without the egg. That gooey, yolky goodness added much-needed moisture to the sandwich and really made it savory. We were tricked into ordering the pommes frites and salads; the server told us they were included, but they showed up on our bill! Merdre!



I waited and waited and finally got my crepe!



In Montemartre, I finally got my crepe Nutella!! I had been looking forward to this since I got to England. I was too cheap to dish out for strawberries and nuts in mine too, but when you have the crepe made right in front of you, you don't necessarily need the extras. A smoking hot crepe with creamy Nutella was just perfect. Nobody in my family seems to understand Nutella; oh well, I have the jar to myself!



It was also in Montemartre that I finally obtained the coveted candies I'd been searching for: little violet-flavored candies that Katie had brought back to America after her first trip. They taste flowery, but sweet, and whenever I eat one I feel like I'm eating something I shouldn't be; like that guilt one feels for eating a flower garnish even though it's on one's plate. They are sooo good. They also had rose ones that I wanted to try, but at 3.50 Euro a tin, forget it.

 

Can we talk for a minute about macaroons? They are delicious. Why am I just now discovering these?? I am ashamed to admit that I had my first one at McDonald's. But it wasn't my fault! Orla and Katie really really wanted McFlurries since it was such a hot day! I opted for a strawberry-banana smoothie and a bite-sized caramel macaroon, which I successfully ordered in French. And let me tell you, it was love at first bite. That soft, chewy, creamy macaroon and I had an instant connection. Later that evening Katie would buy two packs of them from the grocery store (the patisseries having closed early) and I'd eat about six more: caramel, chocolate, lemon (possibly my favorite), pistachio, they're all amazing! May 31 is Macaroon Day here in the states, so I have to figure out where to find some so that I can celebrate properly.



A heavenly display in a Parisian patisserie...bring it on!

Of course, what would a trip to France be without some baguettes? The morning we went to Pere-Lachais cemetary, Orla, Katie and I got baguettes to go from a cafe nearby, and ate them streetside, steaming hot and crispy. On the day we went to Versailles, Katie and I got some from Paul, a French sandwich chain that offers a really good variety, and ate them on the train. Also on the train, we were entertained by two performers with accordians that were wandering through the cars, collecting change. Dinner and a show! It just felt so very French, munching away on a crispy baguette while being serenaded by accordion sounds. Ah, me.



A tasty sampling of French beers and ciders.



If you're only a part-time coffee drinker, as I am, beware of French coffee. It is extremely dark and very strong, and usually served without any milk or cream If I hadn't built up my caffeine tolerance by the 3+ cups of tea I'd been drinking in England, this French stuff would have destroyed me. You've been warned.

Also in France, I got to sample some really good beverages: red and white wines, cider, beer. I wish I could tell you their names, but honestly I was too busy sampling everything to take note. C'est la vie.

Aside from the baguettes and croque madame, I didn't eat a whole lot of "French" food; dinner my first night in Paris was a massive vegetarian platter of Lebanese food followed by baclava. And Katie and I ate food her parents had sent her from home on more than one occasion. I guess the point is the same as on any trip; expand your horizons. Try new things; I did. And I certainly wasn't disappointed.