Quick Bite

Looking for a quick bite in Paris close to Luxembourg Gardens?  If so, you are in luck.  Read on...

After passing by this shop day in and day out on my way to and from Ferrandi, I finally popped in to taste what I had been smelling every day for over five months. The intoxicating lure of a simple, homemade quiche is not something I can usually withstand for almost half a year. So, why did it take me so long to try such a seemingly delicious and might I add convenient place? Well, I simply didn't realize they had second floor (or first floor for the Frenchies) seating. I thought it was just a place to pick up food and go. Considering the thing my landlord called a kitchen wasn't exactly equipped to properly reheat a quiche, I had spent months reluctantly passing by this place. When I was finally finished with school and my stage (insert huge sigh of relief), I actually started paying more attention to things instead of just trying to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible or without the Parisians noticing I reeked of fish and garlic. That is when I noticed a little sign that said, "salle à l'étage" or dining room upstairs.

The dining room is tiny, but serves it purpose.  The staff is friendly and talented - since they have to cart every table's order up a flight of rickety stairs.

This is not a pretentious place as you can see.  The food is solid, comforting, and service is quick.  Order a quiche and a salad and you won't get any fancy-pants plating - just good food.

You might also get a heineken served in a wine glass, but hey can you really complain?

The chocolate cake was simple, but delicious and quite a large serving.  So, you might want to share with a friend.  Or who cares?  Just eat it all yourself and then take a guilt-free stroll through the park nearby.  Life's too short to not enjoy good food in Paris.

Les Saveurs de Pierre Emile

62, rue de Vaugirard

6th Arrondisement

Paris

Le Comptoir

You may remember a previous post mentioning Le Comptoir. After having eaten there a few more times, I do not feel that a mere mention in a post does this place justice. It's just so good, so French and so perfect for a late lunch. In fact, B says to me all the time that it if he could come back to Paris for one day only, he would eat at Le Comptoir. That's saying a lot.


It's a tiny place and very popular which makes for long lines at lunch. So either go early or late if you don't want to wait on the sidewalk. If you do have to wait, there is a saving grace called the Avant-Comptoir that allows you to not have to stand on the sidewalk in the rain/cold/cigarette smoke. It is a combination wine bar/snack joint that welcomes waiting patrons from next door. Considering it is owned by the same person, it's safe to say you can head over there and still be assured to get your long awaited table.

Dinner is reservation only and sometimes booked weeks/months in advance. It is also a set menu. So, my advice is to head there for a leisurely lunch where you can enjoy a good bottle of wine and choose from their lunch menu that has so many delicious choices.

If you can get a table outside, go for it.  It is a perfect location for people watching.  However, you might get in faster if you sit inside, which I have always found to be just as entertaining.

B's first course: lamb pressé.

My first course: a turkey and laughing cow croque monsieur!

B's main course: juicy pork with mustard infused mashed potatoes.

My main course: the best roasted chicken I have EVER eaten. In fact, just looking at it makes me want to go there for lunch today.

For some reason we never stray from this simple but satisfying dessert.  An apple tart with vanilla ice cream does the trick every time.

Le Comptoir

01-44-27-07-50

9 carrefour de l'Odéon

6th Arrondisement

Paris

Ze Kitchen Galerie

Wow.  That sums up my experience at Ze Kitchen Galerie, a restaurant in Paris's 6th arrondisement.  The food was sensational; the flavors out of this world.  I deem this a must visit restaurant in Paris.  If you are here, call Ze Kitchen Galerie and make a reservation right now.  Then, please come back and finish reading this post :)

The decor is modern and bright, the servers attentive and friendly, the clientele happy and satisfied.

First course: carrot soup with razor clams and asparagus.

B's first course: carpaccio of bar with a langoustine gelée.

Main dish: softshell crab and langoustines.

B's main dish: succulent lamb with crisp veggies.

Dessert: hot gianduja chocolate with caramel and pepper ice cream.

This is a buzzing, happening place without any pretense.  The menu is inventive yet approachable at the same time. The flavor combinations put together by the chef make for a meal that is absolutely fabulous.

Bistro Volnay

A favorite restaurant of mine in Paris.  It has great food, a good wine list with an even better sommeliere, a nice atmosphere, and great service for Paris.  Plus, it is never too difficult to get into this gem near the Opera Garnier.  Let's try to keep it that way!  Spread the word, but not too far.

I previously posted about this restaurant when I had my first visitors to Paris.  B and I went back earlier this year and thought I needed to give it another plug.  So, here are some shots from our dinner there.

They always bring an interesting appetizer for the whole table.  This night it was teeny tiny shrimp.  Whatever they bring, it is always a conversation starter.

Ah.  An oasis for any American in Paris.  Ice cubes in a water glass - a sincere rarity in France.

Tempura lobster.  Yum.

Rabbit.  One of B's favorite dishes.

Again, the desserts were remarkable.  This is how they present their creme brulee.  Brings a whole new meaning to the brulee part, doesn't it?

Bistro Volnay

2nd Arrondisement

8, rue Volney

Paris

http://www.bistrovolnay.fr/

Note: I have been told that the chef has changed.  The sommoliere/owner is still there, so I hold out hopes that it is stil las good as ever.  However, I can't say vouch personally for the food of the new chef.

St. Malo - Restaurants

It should come as no surprise that when in St. Malo I sought out the best restaurants.  The first night we ate at a St. Malo institution called A La Duchesse Anne.  If I am not mistaken, it has a Michelin star.  It was in all the guidebooks, etc.  Thus, we dined there and enjoyed ourselves.  However, I left there knowing that there just had to be even better food in the tiny walled town. 

I was right, and it was small place called Bouche en Folie.  How did I find such a teeny little gem without knowing the town?  Well, I asked the locals of course.  That is a rule of thumb to live by when traveling.  Ask the locals - they always know what is best. 

We also stumbled upon a creperie while on our bike ride outside the city and just happened to be famished.  Leaving brittany without eating a crepe would have been sacrilegious, and who wants to be that?  So, of course we stopped and ate there. 

Photos of all these adventures are below. 

A la Duchesse Anne was very traditional.

I started with gratin of langoustines.

While B had two types of oysters.  Seafood really is the way to go when you are on the coast.  You just can't go wrong with something so fresh.

For his main course of lobster, B was brought an assortment of cutlery.  Impressive and intimidating all at the same time, right?

Even more impressive, though, had to be this bib which was tied on by the waitress herself.

The long awaited lobster.

My sole meuniere.

Ok, so these frites did not come with what we ordered but I got a whif of them from a neighboring table and quickly put in a request for them to grace our table as well.  Can you blame me? 

Ah, the cheese course, something I will miss dearly when I am back stateside.

Creme caramel for me.

Tarte tatin for B.

Creme fraiche that appeared to be, well, really fresh came with the tart.  Now, that is French.

Don't worry.  This was not the next course at A la Duchesse Anne.  This was the crepe we ate on the sojourn from our bike ride.  Obviously, it is a savory crepe, which they call a galette.  Filled with cheese, eggs and bacon I didn't care what they called it, I just wanted them to bring it to me stat.

They also brought a lovely green salad, some frites and a bottle of local cider.  A picturesque lunch in Brittany.

Now for the main event: Bouche en Folie.

While the restaurant maybe seats 25 people, each table is well thought out.  Details are attended to and clients appear to be king. 

Started with a crispy beef ravioli and sweet potato puree.

As well as marinated salmon with creme fraiche.

A steak with delicious crispy potatoes (wrapped in bacon, mind you) and an apple compote was a perfect main dish.

B loved his cabillaud (codfish) and asparagus.

To end the meal: a café gourmand.  Espresso accompanied by a variety of tiny desserts.  Perfection.

A La Duchesse Anne

5, Place Guy La Chambre

St. Malo

02 99 40 85 33

Bouche en Folie

14, Rue du boyer

St. Malo

www.boucheenfolie.eresto.net

Copenhagen, Anyone?

I love Denmark for so many reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with food.  Now, however, I can add food to that list.  Noma, a restaurant in Copenhagen, was recently named the best restaurant in the WORLD.  On the entire planet earth, people.  So, I'm fairly certain that is a reason to head to the land of Danes asap.  Just make sure to make reservations first!

To read more about Noma and see the other top-rated restaurants:

www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=email_en&sid=arrr6LnACGcM

Le Christine

Before B left, we dined at Restaurant Le Christine on a whim.  It's not far from our humble abode and we have always liked the looks of it. We just had never tried it.  The other night we decided to live dangerously and walk in without a reservation.  To my ultimate surprise, they sat us immediately.  I'm not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing, but the fact that we didn't get any flack for not having a reservation was definitely appreciated.  It quickly became obvious that this was a place frequented by English speakers (read Americans).  Why?  Well, first of all we were brought ice with our water and secondly there was much American english being spoken by both the clientele and the waiters.  For some this is a good thing, for others it's not.  For me, it didn't matter because I was spending one of my last night's in Paris with my husband.  We enjoyed ourselves.  The service was excellent and the food solid but not spectacular.  If you are looking for a tourist friendly joint with food a notch above most other touristy locations, try Le Christine.

Amuse Bouche: gazpacho. 

First course: Spanish ham and tomato rubbed bread.

First course: snails in a cream sauce with hazelnuts.

Main course: breaded sweetbreads with lemon spaghetti.

Main course: crispy langoustines on "black rice".

Restaurant Le Christine

www.restaurantlechristine.com

1, Rue Christine

6th Arrondisement

Paris