Pink Slip Gourmet: Weekend Adventures in Paris

So, I'm a little late in updating you about our weekend. We spent it doing our favorite thing to do - exploring Paris. We found some great places that you might want to note if you are heading to Paris in the near (or even not so near) future. Until then, I invite you to live vicariously through us with these pics...

Stumbled upon a great hotel bar in the 6th, right around the corner from our tiny apartment. We will definitely go back here. Prices were a bit stiff, but they knew how to make a real martini, so it was worth it.

Plus, they had live music. See the piano in the background. Who can ask for more than that?

Cafe Laurent

6th Arrondisemet

Hotel D'Aubusson

33, Rue Dauphine

http://www.cafe-laurent.com/

Next, we headed to a small southwestern French restaurant, Le Troquet, which is located on a very unassuming street in the 15th. The restaurant is lively and full of French people enjoying delicious basque country food in a quaint setting. I loved how the table was set when we got there.

We ordered the charcuterie platter for an appetizer. Everything came in this cute basket. A+ for presentation and taste.

I had a steak with what I can only call cream and butter with a bit of mashed potatoes. As for the steak, I am not afraid of rare meat. However, I usually order things medium rare, which I did at Le Troquet. Yet, in very typical French fashion, the steak came almost blood rare. It was very good, though. That said, just a warning to those vacationing in France - be very explicit about how you want your meat done or be ready to eat some really rare meat.

B's order of suckling pig's cheek and foie gras with lentils came in this cast iron pot. Again, great presentation.

B's dessert was an almond and apple tart with ice cream and caramel. Can't go wrong there.

I had a delicious chocolate concotion that I can't even begin to describe other than to say it was intensely chocolatey.

If you want a taste of truly good, everyday French food with the rare bonus of a very friendly French staff, then try:

Le Troquet

15th Arrondisement

21 rue François-Bonvin

01-45-66-89-00

Saturday night found us upstairs at a neighborhood place: Da Rosa. What a find! We will definitely be back. The French/English speaking Spanish staff was efficient, helpful, and friendly and the food was great. Da Rosa is both a restaurant and a little store that sells top of the line products like aged Spanish ham that is cut right off the leg in front of you.

Da Rosa's wine collection.

Pan con Tomate had us saying, "more please!"

Risotto with spanish ham and penne alla arrabiatta. Again, a homerun. A great place for a casual night out with friends.

Da Rosa

6th Arrondisement

62, Rue de Seine

http://www.darosa.fr/

Leaving Da Rosa around midnight, we saw this boulanger (baker) making bread for the next day.

So, the next morning I had to pay homage to him and buy this ridiculously large baguette. It's literally half as tall as I am. I could have used it as a weapon in the streets of Paris or at least to poke people who walk slowly and aimlessly through the streets. Come to think of it, maybe that's what it was made for in the first place and it just happens to taste awesome as well.

Sunday afternoon, we went to Parc de Bercy. A great place to visit in Paris. A bit out of the way in the 12 arrondisement (Metro stop Bercy), but that just means less tourists. Here are some pics of it.

Right next to Parc de Bercy is Bercy Village, which is a street full of shops and restaurants. Going to the park and then to Bercy village is worth the short trip over to the 12th.

Walkway in Bercy Village.

We found a candy shop, La Cure Gourmande, that would make any child or inner-child go crazy. It's a must see in Bercy Village, especially since they hand out free samples on the way into the store.

Awesome.

Even better.

And over the top!

On our way home, we stumbled upon a huge outdoor market on the banks of a canal leading to the Bastille. What a find! It just goes to show that getting out and walking around Paris can yield many unexpected treasures. So, when you are here, get out there!