Food Lovers' France: 2002
Snails... horse meat... tongue... goose liver paté... stinky cheese.... Even people who like American fast food might enjoy Europe's top cuisine. Share your best treats in France.
Restaurants on the Ile de St. Louis
In Paris, a short walk from the Hotel Castex to the Ile de St. Louis, is
the Auberge de la Reine Blanche where I had a marvellous prix fixe dinner:
breast of duck in cherry sauce with the inevitable (but tasty) green beans
and bistro-style potatoes; a salad with toasted goat cheese on toasts; and
for desert a WONDERFUL "pear cake" on the English language menu- "charlotte
aux poires avec sauce anglais et chocolat chaud" in French. Truly a heavenly
desert! The waiter spoke passable English, an English language menu was
available. One of the highlights of my two weeks in France.
Tim McNamara
St. Paul, MN USA 11/19/02
Les Halles in Avignon
Les Halles in Avignon, France is a treat for the senses. It's an indoor
market which has just about every conceivable type of food. It's all beautifully
presented, fresh and delicious and above all, every single clerk was really
FRIENDLY! I was travelling with 6 American teenagers who were going to language
school in Avignon and they went to Les Halles everyday to get their snacks.
As they were practicing their French when ordering, the salespeople thought
the kids so charming for trying the differnet foods & using the language.
Don't miss it!
Karen Skeeles <email>
Tucson, AZ USA 08/06/02
Bon Marche
The Bon Marche on Rue Cler in Paris lives up to its Rick Steves billing.
We ate there twice in two days, and though we arrived later in the evening
after touring Paris sights, we didn't wait more than 15 minutes. The roast
chicken comes with a timbale-shaped cone of pureed potatoes topped with
a wonderful herb butter, and the salad is fresh and lightly dressed. The
house white wine was the cheapest and best we had on our trip. Don't order
dessert at the restaurant...just step to the right of the entrance and get
a dessert crepe from the vendor. Banana with chocolate was terrific!
M Miller <email>
Grand Junction, CO USA 06/14/02
Just desserts in Paris
For the finest dessert ever created, try the pralines at l'Avion Delices
in Paris, located at 32 rue Vieille du Temple near Rick's Marais District
hotel recommendations, telephone 01 42 72 78 01. They're beyond description!
Steve
Minneapolis, MN USA 06/11/02
Ile Ste. Louis creperie
On your tour of Ile Ste. Louis, pop in La Crepe Ste. Louis (84, rue Ste.-Louis-en-l'Iles).
Excellent crepes for brunch, lunch, or just snacks. Small, informal eaterie
run by a friendly and entertaining proprietess who is also the chef and
waitor!! A gauranteed delight. And the crepes are excellent.
Jinx Hoover <email>
Austin, Tx USA 04/30/02
Berthillon ice cream
My wife, 15 year old son, and spent Spring Break in Paris. Rick is right
about the Berthillon ice cream, We had a heavenly dessert break at the flagship
store on Ile St. Louis. It was busy, but not crowded - and very hospitable.
It's located mid-island on rue St Louis en l'Ile, although other shops along
the street sell their product as well.BTW, the espresso there was a great
topper to the dessert. Enjoy!
Cacamio <email>
Dallas, TX USA 03/23/02
Great Food
Just returned from Paris and I must say everything we ate was wonderful.
Had the best salmon at Pot du Terre - off of Rue Moufftard - 5th arr. -
and escargot also. Loved the food so much we took a french cooking class
with a woman in the Marais district and learned to cook Coq au Vin blanc,
spinach souffle, carrots in cumin and of course Apple tart and Chocolate
tart...
Traci <email>
Phoenix, AZ USA 03/13/02
Croissants--so good and so cheap; if you're on the go, sandwiches,
I love white cheese, tomato and avocado on a baguette; and I love the rice
pudding. Years ago, I stayed in the Family Home in Bayeux, Normandy, and
they served the most amazing French meals, including rice pudding.
Erin Parker <email>
Snohomish, WA USA 03/11/02
A great restaurant near rue Cler!
If you are staying in the 7ieme, go to Fontaine de Mars. It's a wonderful
place with perfect atmostphere and delicious food. If you don't speak French,
they do have English menus, although it seemed to be full of locals when
we were there. I had the house specialty "magret de canard" (duck breast
filet) which is so tender and juicy, you'll think you're eating a prime
rib. The menu is definitely more French traditional than nouvelle cuisine.
You also get a choice of either seating inside (which is adorable), or outside
on their balcony by the restaurant's namesake fountain. Worth checking out.
La Fontaine de Mars (Français) 129, rue Saint-Dominique / 75007 Paris Tél.
01 47 05 46 44
Chris Moser <email>
Calgary, AB CAN 02/18/02