Monday, June 23, 2014

PARIS EATS!





“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” 
Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast



It is so true. If you have visited Paris you know it truly is "A Moveable Feast."  From the five-star restaurants to the corner bistro to a boulangerie for an afternoon sandwich, the city rarely disappoints.  Don't even get me started about the decadent deserts, amazing espresso and, of course, the wine.  Every trip to the city is different and unique, we try new restaurants but always find ourselves returning to one or two staples we cannot miss.  Below is some of the highlights from our recent trip to Paris in March.



Spring 
6 rue Bailleul 75001
http://www.springparis.fr/



Spring is located in the 1st arrondissement, near the Louvre and a few blocks from the Pompidou Centre.  If features a four course "prix fixe" dinner for 84 euros and an optional cheese course for 12 euros.  There is wine pairing, for an additional charge as well.  There is no actual menu and our server asked us if he could go over the menu with us, but we opted to have him surprise us and explain the dishes as they were served.  Everything was fresh and amazing.  The scallops were perfectly cooked, as were the delicious steak and fish.  Owner Daniel Rose and his team scour Parisian markets everyday to create his seasonal and ever-changing menu.  Make reservations in advance.   





 Perfectly seared Scallops with Anchovies
John Dory
Amazing Steak




  Decadent Deserts 






L'Absinthe 
24 Place Du Marche Saint-Honore 75001
http://www.restaurantabsinthe.com/




L'Absinthe is a great restaurant that won't break the bank.  It is located in a beautiful square named Place Du Marche Saint-Honore in the 1st arrondissement, surrounded by other restaurants, shops and a Franprix market.  The "prix fixe" menu is simple and delicious. It is broken into three categories: Starters (13 euros), Main Dishes (22 euros) and Desserts (11 euros).  You can mix and match, you are not forced to have three courses.  I have been to this restaurant three times and will keep returning.  The soft shell crab with bbq chipotle sauce is divine and their crispy pork filet mignon on a bed of bacon mashed potatoes is stuff culinary dreams are made of.  Dessert doesn't disappoint either, go for Michel Rostang's ultra-rich Chocolate Custard Cream.  Thankfully they give two per order, which makes the sharing that much better.  Make reservations in advance.  




Great and affordable wine selection at L'Absinthe


 Fried soft shell crab with a bbq chipotle sauce




 Fried Pork "Filet Mignon" with bacon mashed potatoes, side of roasted potatoes
Michel Rostang's Chocolate Custard Cream

Deconstructed apple pie



Bistro Paul Bert

81, rue de Paul Bert
http://www.zagat.com/r/bistrot-paul-bert-paris?gclid=CLWW5JPW4b4CFQ9hfgodDwIAFA
http://www.thepariskitchen.com/review/paris-bistrot-paul-bert-bertrand-auboyneau/

Paul Bert is a classic bistro in the 11th arrondissement.  The Prix Fixe menu ranges from 18 euros to 36 euros for an appetizer, entree and desert or cheese course.  The small bistro was very good.  The steak was perfect but their Grand Marnier souffle was the highlight of the meal.  It was a bit out of the way, we stayed in the 1st arrondissement, but if you are looking for an old school french bistro it is solid.  





Scallop carpaccio with artichokes
Squid
Steak with Hollandaise sauce
Fries
Grand Marnier souffle
Grand Marnier souffle, I can still taste the fluffy amazingness!


Pierre Herme

The world's best macaroons! No trip to Paris is complete without stopping at Pierre Herme for the ultimate french cookie, the macaroon.  They have a vast variety of seasonal goodies, the madagascar chocolate, tahitian vanilla, rose and green tea with vanilla cream are mouthwatering.  You cannot go wrong here.  There is also a popular chain Lauderee, which is good, but I prefer Pierre Herme.



Little hands checking out macaroons at Pierre Herme in the 1st arrondissement
From there it's a short walk to the Tuilleries to sit back, relax, eat a macaroon, or two and take in the beautiful park with the Effiel Tower in the distance


The Tuilleries.  The Musee de l'Orangerie, on the left, has beautiful panoramic Claude Monet paintings.  Worth a visit!  



RATN
9 rue de la Tremoille, 75008
http://restaurantratn.com



RATN is an Indian restaurant just off the Champs Elysees in the 8th arrondissement.  Rocker and actor Lenny Kravitz suggested I go here when I spoke with him about Parisian eateries. Kravitz has had a residence in Paris for years and splits his time between the city of light and Miami.  Lenny did not steer me wrong here.  What a fantastic Indian dinner.  We had three different chicken dishes and they were all amazing.  The garlic naan was delicious and the rice, as simple as it was, was probably the best rice I have ever had.  If you are craving Indian in Paris, this is the place.




Garlic Naan
Basamati rice


Tandoori Chicken
Chicken with a tomato cognac sauce

Chicken with yogurt sauce


   

After dinner it's a short walk to Place de L'Alma where you can sit by the river Seine and take in a grand view of the Eiffel Tower


Berthillon

http://www.berthillon.fr/

Berthillion is the best ice cream in Paris.  We decided to go Il St. Louis in the 1st arrondissement at 4 PM on a Saturday when it was about 80 degrees and the most beautiful  Spring day.  The line was insane.  We waited over an hour for the ice cream and as much as we wanted to hate it for the wait, it was amazing.  The chocolate was excellent, but my son's vanilla was insanely good.  I had order envy.  Tip: A few different establishments on Il St. Louis sell the ice cream.  If its hot, go early or be prepared to wait.

Locals and tourist alike wait at Berthillion 
Long line and no where for the cars to go down the small streets of Il St. Louis
My cone


The reward, a happy family!  

“There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of each person who has lived in it differs from that of any other. We always returned to it no matter who we were or how it was changed or with what difficulties, or ease, it could be reached. Paris was always worth it and you received return for whatever you brought to it. But this is how Paris was in the early days when we were very poor and very happy.” 

Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Happy eating and drinking!





Cheers!

All Photography by Jeff Cornell

Monday, June 2, 2014

PARIS


Ah, Paris.  There is something about it that keeps drawing me back.  There is so much more of Europe, and the rest of the world, that I want to see but I keep going back to Paris.  The past four years my wife and I have packed up our two kids and endured a very long flight from Los Angeles to Paris.  After the jet lag, which is rough on the little ones, time to walk, explore and live like a Parisian.

If you would like some advice for an upcoming family trip to Paris, please read this blog Suzie Cornell wrote about two perfect days in Paris with the kids: http://bonconseil.us/perfect-day-in-paris-with-kids/

Here is a visual taste of Paris from March 2014

 Espresso

 L'Eclair de Genie
Espresso
 Juliper at Le Voltigeur
 1664 at Le Rubis


 Place de la Madeleine

Champs Elysees
Jardin du Luxembourg
 The Little Train in Montmartre
 Carousel in the Tuilleries
 Cafe life at Le Voltigeur
Le Tour Eiffel

From the Arc de Triomphe

Le Moulin Rouge


Basilica Sacre Coeur
 Sunset over Notre Dame and Il de la Cite
 Le Tour Eiffel from Place de la Concorde
 Le Tour Eiffell from Place de L'Alma
Au Revoir Paris!

All Photography by Jeff Cornell