Sunday, September 13, 2015

Falafel and Picasso

As I have previously mentioned, Sundays are pretty low key here - even when you have visitors. This particular Sunday was no different, though we managed to squeeze in quite a few activities.

Our outing started with coffee with some friends of mine out in Le Marais.


With the sunshine came all sorts of colourful people

Next stop was falafel! Rue des rosiers has some of the best falafel around - it's famous here. It was time to try it out!

People line up for this stuff, probably because it's Lenny Kravitz endorsed! (and coincidentally he lives beside my office)

Monster falafel!

Ready to dig in!
After lounging in le jardin des rosiers, we headed out to see some Picassos. I hadn't been to this museum yet so I was happy to check it out. The one in Barcelona in my opinion is still better but this one is also worth the visit. I'm not a huge fan of taking photos of art so mostly these are of the building - which, once again, is equally as nice as the artwork on the walls!

Hôtel Salé









Les Papilles

Visitors means dinners out and this time we went to one of my favourite places - Les Papilles. This was a regular on my list when I used to come for work but the last few trips reservations were impossible to get, even this time we couldn't get a seating until 9:30pm. 

The restaurant is in a wine and food shop. They serve a set menu - which for those that know me well can see the appeal, no decisions to be made! The only thing you pick is your bottle of wine and the owner is very helpful in this regard. And by Paris standards, it is super affordable.


This time the meal was a petit pois gazpacho, braised lamb, cheese and a pineapple panna cotta to end. 


It's always a challenge not to eat all the soup!

The lamb

The cheese course
And sadly there is no picture of desert, partly because we were so full and partly because, well, I can't eat pineapples!

Flavors of Paris...off the eaten path

I was told many times that Paris is a different city in August, and well, people were right! The city shuts down, the Parisians leave and the streets are empty. I have to say it is quite enjoyable! 

As the month came to an end, I had my next visitor stop by. As someone who had spent time in Paris before, we were looking for more obscure things to do. The decision was a walking tour focused on food - Flavors of Paris. The founder and guide was even a fellow Canadian!

The tour starts at Saint-Germain-des-Prés and then wanders from there through the streets of the 6th arrondissement. We learnt what makes good baguettes, chocolate and olive oil and sampled other delicacies along the way.


Selfie to start the tour

I didn't capture the whole tour in photos but here are a few to get an idea. We stopped at a food shop that combines food and style. Ma Collection features all products from France and some cases, with a twist.


The sampling

A little pâté and fancy salt

An explosion in the mouth

Jams and syrups

Paris has a number of "passages" which are little hidden pedestrian streets. This one hosts Le Procope - the oldest restaurant (well continuously operating one) in Paris. Founded in 1686 this is one of the many establishments that has one of Napoleon's hats on display. Rumour has it that when he couldn't afford his bill, he would pay with his hat. On this street we sampled food from Provence including olive oil and gourmet chocolates from Un Dimanche à Paris.



The tour ends with a "small" sampling of cheese at La Palette - a café frequented by locals but dedicated to artists.