French Food!

  Well to say that I "kind of" enjoyed this part of my "research" is like saying that Tiger Woods "kind of likes to dabble around with the ladies"! It was "hard-work" and I "hated" every minute of it and there simply weren't enough hours of the day to devote my full attention to getting more information on the wonder that is French gastronomy! How I can fit any kind of decent information about French food into a simple blog I'm not quite sure! I think best for me to just keep it simple and let most of the pictures do the talking! Pardon mois if any of this makes you feel just a little hungry! (On that note, France currently has more 3 star Michelin restaurants than the rest of the world put-together - Voila!)

Paris: Well, there are certainly some big name restaurants here that I am yet to have the privilege of trying however in some cases it's these big places (with the even bigger bill that comes with it) that apparently seem to disappoint! But out of courtesy let's at least put in a mention for Maxim's just next to Place de la Concorde (I've put in a menu and price list here for your amusement!) and then there is the Jules Verne up on the 1st Floor of the Eiffel Tower. From all accounts they are both good but are they GREAT? Well I will leave you all to decide for yourselves one day! (In fact if Maxim's looks to pricey then grab a simple MUCH cheaper meal at it's little sister next door - Mimim's!

 If you would like to dine in the restaurant where Jacqueline Kennedy allegedly met Aristotle Onassis then go no farther than Fouquet's on the Champs d'Elysee. They have been around since 1899 and apparently one of THE places to be seen for a meal or cafe au lait! Just beware as you just might come across that stereotypical Parisian waiting "service" you've al heard about!

"Soupe a l'oignon" perhaps! Apparently one of THE best (and it sure did it for me!) is that served at the famous Cafe de la Paix right next to the beautiful Opera Garnier (famous for that chandelier, the "river" underneath and its phantom..need more hints?!) At 17euros a bowl it's worth lingering there for quite a while and soaking in the view whilst enjoying this amazing soup!

The Latin Quarter, named so due to the students who studied here in Latin at the famous Sorbonne university from the 1200's onwards. Renowned for being the Bohemian, arty section of Paris, here it's all "caveat emptor"! The pretty,"old Paris" that was spared from Haussman's grand architectural plans of wide boulevards and panoramic vistas down plein-treed avenues - it's one of the last areas of Paris where you will get a feel of what it was like pre-1850's with narrow cobble-stoned streets. There are brasseries, bistros and even kebab shops galore here. It's very hit-and-miss but if you keep away from the busiest areas and try find where the locals go you'll have far more success quality-wise. The further away from the water you are I find the more "local" the place will be! Having said that there are some amazing "menu" deals day and night in and around St Michel area and so if you're willing to skimp on high quality and join the tourist hordes then you can get a good three course meal for around 12-15 euros! For me it's the "moules frites" that win me over though!

Moules frites

Just more random desserts from my local patisserie

Montmartre and Sacre Coeur also draw the tourist crowds (and the locals who just want to sit on the steps overlooking their beautiful city!). Renowned for its impressionist artists who lived and worked around the area in the late 1800's and early 1900's (drinking absinthe like it was lolly-water!) its FULL of restaurants and brasseries that are all very tempting given the stunning backdrop. Again lots of tourists but still good meals to be had - particularly the little creperie on the main drag which is a simple hole-in-the-wall where you can try some pretty bizarre crepes!Nutellla and banana anyone?

Montmartre with Sacre Coeur backdrop

Ahh, "jamon et fromage pour mois s'il vous plait monsieur!"

Yes,thats a line inside that extends out the door at Laduree!!

Macarons - well there's a blog in itself!! Not much more to say except: Pierre Herme and Laduree!!Between these two stores you really don't have to look much further for not just the finest presentation of macarons but also the most melt-in-your-mouth versions you will ever find! Just expect to wait in line outside Laduree if you find the store in the up-market 7th district of St Germaine des Pres(and no photos inside s'il vous plait!!!)

Piere Herme macarons

 Lyon: the heavyweight gastronomic champion of Republic Francaise! Again a blog could be written on almost every separate specialty dish from Lyon let alone trying to sum it all up in a single generic one! With around 20 Michelin stars in this city it's not hard to find some decent meals around here. Particularly in their local "bouchon's". The very name of Paul Bocuse is extremely hard to get away from (his name honours the local markets which are a tourist attraction and experience in itself!) then his four brasseries - l'Est, l'Ouest, le Nord and Le Sud in town let alone his award winning restaurant "l'Auberge du Pont du Collognes" just outside of town.

Lyon markets

A typical fromagerie at Lyon Markets -sit down and have a wine whilst you taste!

A famous story goes along the lines that former French president and hero of WWII  ,Charles de Gaulle once said  "How am I meant to govern a country that has more types of cheese than days of the year!" - nicely put!

Paul Bocuse's l'Est in Lyon's beautiful old train station

Le Nord

le Nord menu

Paul Bocuse's brasserie l'Est

My favourite bouchon (please keep it to yourself!)

The "Bouchons" of Lyon. To try REAL Lyonnaise food then one must visit a "bouchon". There are many restaurants that claim to be bouchon's in Lyon but in reality there are only twenty or so that officially fit the bill. They are places where extremely authentic local food is served without the need to try to fit into the classification of being high-cuisine. A combination of great local food and great service and you will definitely walk or (crawl) away afterwards feeling that you have have just been a part of a special and unique dining experience. 

Best mousse EVER!!

Simple steak yet PERFECT!

Margret de canard (duck!)

This was a pear dessert looked simple but its taste defied words!

     So , as mentioned very simple yet there is really not enough that can be said about this part of French culture that is more than just a matter of subsistence. Food is an art-form and never a chore. Even the simple baguette is much much more than just a long skinny loaf of bread!

  I think I'm getting hungry............bon apetit!!!!!!!!