Dining out in Paris for lunch or dinner does not have to be expensive. You can eat a long leisurely lunch or make it quick on the run. Let the waiter know your time frame if you need to get somewhere. We spent 5 nights in Paris and I’ll share photos here of our dining experiences.
At Le Petit Cler located on Rue Cler, the famous food market neighborhood, we enjoyed a seared piece of mild fish served with beurre blanc sauce and potatoes. This is a classic French butter sauce
Another day for lunch we enjoyed Bistrot Richelieu located near The Louvre. Here is the French Onion Soup which was made with small croutons, not a large piece of bread as often seen. Also the cheese was not stringy and excessive. It was flavorful but not overwhelming. We also shared escargot! It was not a strong flavor of garlic as is often served and the parsley was light and fresh. Special utensils were provided to eat the escargot!
Utensils
Escargot in a butter and parsley sauce with a tiny hint of garlic
With the escargot tongs hold one escargot shell with one hand. Use the tiny fork with the other hand to dig the escargot out of the shell. It is tricky! I sent one shell flying across the table!
Cafe au lait Cafe Crema is a beautiful thing
One night we splurged on some fine dining at the restaurant located at the ground level of our apartment building
L’Hydrophobe. Delicious food and special service from the staff
Entrées or First Course
Jerusalem Artichoke Cream Soup made with Jerusalem artichoke, leek and onion. This was served with a slightly baked or poached egg and sliced foil gras. Amazing! I have never seen a Jerusalem artichoke. It’s a root vegetable.
Here’s a Jerusalem artichoke I found at the market. It’s like a light potato with more flavor. Definitely a tubor, not at all like an artichoke. It’s French name is topinambour.
This is the Jerusalem artichoke soup with egg and sliced foie gras. It’s garnished with paprika and chives.
Dave ordered the endive and watercress salad with sliced foie gras de canard and a light vinaigrette
Les Plats or The Dishes or 2nd course or Main Course
A whitefish with a leek paté and a red wine sauce served with parsnip, turnip a potato
Duck breast with orange sauce served with roast cauliflower, carrot, potato and parsnip
Les Desserts
Fillo leaf cup filled with apples and caramel sauce
Chocolate Fondant with grapefruit sorbet
The waitress tells us to make this dessert is very simple. It’s a mixture of melted chocolate, sugar and egg. This is poured in a shallow pan and placed in a water bath. This is all baked at a low temperature. I’ll make this one day!
Another restaurant we visited for lunch was Chez Paul Bastille
Les Entrees
Fish in curry sauce
Cold Pork Terrine and Salad with a Spicy Sauce
Mushrooms over Toast with Salad and Fried Jerusalem Artichokes
Complimentary Goat Cheese
Another day we stopped for lunch at a creperie before visiting the Catacombs. The savory crepes are always buckwheat and the sweet crepes are wheat flour. Our buckwheat crepes were filled with 3 strong flavored cheeses and walnuts and served over plain lettuce salad.
Well this is it for now! Until our next visit to Paris!
nina in the kitchen 