Paris is Always a Good Idea
I was lucky enough to travel to Paris since a young age. Its proximity to Switzerland and the high speed trains connecting the two countries meant that the concept of a weekend trip there was very easy to put into practice. Heck, you could leave Saturday morning, go back on Sunday evening with a head and heart full of culture and a belly full of croissants.
The pandemic obviously hindered such plans for quite a while so it’s only this year that the idea resurfaced - I had never travelled from Zürich to Paris yet. A quick search on the TGV Lyria website and I was the proud owner of a return ticket for the weekend. What more could a girl ask for, really?
While the weather decided to not quite be on our side, the food definitely was so and boy oh boy did we take advantage of everything we could get our hands on.
Dinner at Bistrot des Tournelles
I think this was my favourite dinner this time in Paris and not just because it was on the first night.
The bistro is tiny, with a curated menu and delicious dishes. Service was impeccable and the wine plentiful.
I had the best tasting chicken of my life, probably, alongside a plateful of crispy, hot frites. We sneaked a peek at our neighbours though and found ourselves longing for their Cordon Bleu that looked like it could have easily fed a family of four. It’s definitely on my list for next time.
A wonderful surprise was the starter salad “sucrine” dressed with the most amazing parmesan sauce.
I’d advise booking in advance as it is a very small establishment.
Lunch at Maoz
The fun thing at Maoz is that after you’ve chosen your falafel base, there is a lovely vegetarian buffet where you can fix your pita as you like it. There are pickles, veggies, sauces, all delicious and fresh (I could have eaten all their olives!). The fries that come with are delicious and crispy and the portions very generous for a very well priced falafel.
Dinner at Racines
A phenomenal starter of melon and the finest prosciutto, as well as a dreamy tiramisu would make me come back here. The setting is also cozy and perfect for people watching, in a small bustling passage/street. Their service was also phenomenal and we left with full bellies and a big smile on our faces.
Lunch at Breizh Café
For crêpe lovers, this is the spot for you. La Bretagne has always been on my to visit list but in the meantime I could get a taste of it in this lovely café in the Marais. Their specialty is the buckwheat crêpe/galette, with a nutty, savoury taste not to be missed. Ingredients are always fresh and top quality and for dessert I need to beg you to order their 70% chocolate flake-olive oil-flour de sel crepe. It may not be your usual super sweet dessert but the flavours are incredible.
They also sell gorgeous salted butter from Bordier and Caramels au Beurre Salé which I couldn’t help but stock up on. I hope you will do the same.
Dinner at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte
It was while standing in line for this famed restaurant in Paris that I found out there is one in Zürich as well. I shall definitely have to try that one too.
The concept is simple, but brilliant. They serve one thing and one thing only: their famed entrecôte. You start with a lovely dressed salad with a few walnuts halves on top and fresh baguette (I need to find out where they source their bread).
Then, the start of the show: entrecôte served as you like it (they’ll write it down on you table cloth) with their secret sauce and a mountain of fries. Everything cooked to perfection, no modifications, no substitutions.
The portion may seem small at first but bear in mind they are keeping a part of it warm for you to serve in a second helping. It is delicious and moreish and absolutely not suitable for vegetarians.
I also can recommend their Relais wine, very reasonably priced, light and great with the meat.
Should you have managed to save room for dessert, theirs are absolutely scrumptious and very difficult to choose from. We had profiteroles to share but I’m still thinking of their little strawberry tartelette I saw in their dessert window. I’ll have to come back, I guess.
Service is extremely prompt and nice but bear in mind they take no reservations. Sundays are particularly busy as many other places are closed. We stood in line at 18:10 in order to catch the first service at 18:45. However, once you’re seated, everything is delivered at dizzying speed - after all, everyone is eating the exact same thing :)
Last breakfast at Eric Kayser
Across the street from Gare de Lyon there is one of the Eric Kayser bakeries where you can order one last croissant for the road. I don’t think I can say more about this bakery than what has been already extensively written in the press and on the internet since he won Meilleure Baguette de France in 2014. The croissants are perfectly puffed, the baguette crunchy, nutty and creamy. It’s really not to be missed.
And there you are, a tour of Paris through food, I’ll have to let you choose the culture, art, and shopping on your own.
Have you been to Paris before? Did you enjoy it? What are other spots one cannot miss?
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