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Post by luckymama on Jun 19, 2007 16:50:40 GMT -5
Sistereurope took me to NYC this weekend and we went to a French restaurant. I had the best meal ever! I cannot imagine what the food will be in PARIS.
I wanted to know what all of you liked to eat at the BISTROS? Just curious. WOuld love some input.
Merci,
LM
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Post by holger on Jun 19, 2007 18:55:11 GMT -5
I am very fond of pates, duck confit and lamb. So will select these or any type of shell fish. Enjoy the Cafe Lutetia on Ile St. Louis near the Seine. In good weather like to sit outside and watch the river and also people watch. The have an excellent duck confit and great burgers. Look for their Plat du Jour.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 19, 2007 19:26:19 GMT -5
I like just about any type of chicken dish in France, just because the chicken tastes so good there. I once had a sauteed chicken breast with a light sauce that had honey and lavender in it (plus, I think, some lemon to cut the sweetness a bit). Very simple, but with wonderful fried potatoes it was great! (Unfortunately, that bistro has since changed hands and had a completely different menu -- which I didn't like as much -- the last time I was there.)
Just try whatever looks interesting -- if you're in a place that isn't totally touristy, I think it's difficult to have a truly bad meal, and you will have some that are really delicious!
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 19, 2007 20:51:46 GMT -5
Mama, You're going to be shocked. Even the simplest dish in Paris seems so much better than it does here. Part of it is the fantasy, of course. But an equal part is the care with which everything is prepared.
I agree with Holger, major "food groups" are duck, lamb and fish. Most beef dishes really aren't up to the quality standards we have in the States. But, oh my, the duck, lamb and shellfish!!
And let's not even get started on desserts. I'd advise skipping things like creme brulee that you see on every "French" menu in America. Go for something simple and classic like "ile flottante" (giant puffs of meringue, topped with toasted almonds and swimming in a pool of thin vanilla custard). My alltime favorite Paris restaurant dessert was roasted bananas, caramel ice cream, vanilla custard, and something (can't remember what) crispy crumbled over the top.
The one thing I will say that I really miss when in Paris is vegetables. Usually vegetable servings in Parisian restaurants are quite small, and I always have a craving for vegetables when I get home.
You're going to have such a grand time!! I can hardly wait to read what you post when you return!!
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Post by Happygoin on Jun 20, 2007 6:25:30 GMT -5
Also, make sure to check out any daily special items they might be offering. Usually it's what looked really great/especially fresh at the market that morning. You usually can't go wrong with that. I swooned at the mushroom soup last fall at Cafe Constant. I've had mushroom soup before...even good mushroom soup. This blew everything else out of the water. It was amazing. And that is part of the charm of Paris. That something as simple as mushroom soup can be so memorable.
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 20, 2007 6:46:54 GMT -5
Speaking of food, I just checked my e-mail, where I had a surprise waiting for me in my inbox. There was a message from our Danish reporter, who is in St. Germain en Laye, and attached to that was a photo of a real yummy dessert that she was about to eat.
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Post by Happygoin on Jun 20, 2007 6:48:52 GMT -5
What was it? Or can you describe it for us?
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 20, 2007 6:52:14 GMT -5
It was a slice of cake with some red fruit on top. Not sure if it's strawberries or something else. Next to it was a nice little blob of whipped cream. Very dietic, I'm sure..........but who cares, right? ;D
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Post by sistereurope on Jun 20, 2007 7:43:00 GMT -5
Thanks all...I don't want Luckymama to just have ME to inform her Paris trip...not that I give bad advice or anything (after all, I AM the person who introduced her to le vin rouge, right ma?? )
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Post by cybee on Jun 20, 2007 8:05:29 GMT -5
Oh, those desserts you describe, Truffaut , sound truly devine! Whoah! I wonder if the banana/caramel icecream/ vanilla custard one has a special name for it? The "ile flottante" sounds excellent as well! Well, I will just have to peruse the dessert selection more carefully. I think I only had dessert once while in Paris and well, had the creme brulee which I did love...however, I can see trying something that I could not find in the States is a brilliant idea! I did try the foie gras..and well....there you have it. Not addicted..but so much of the French food I do love! The bread itself..I just love! Interesting comment on veggies..yes, I guess they were sparse in that department, come to think of it! Shoesy! A picture from GitteK in your inbox! What a special treat to find!
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 20, 2007 8:46:36 GMT -5
cybee - At first I didn't understand what that e-mail was going to be, and I almost deleted it thinking it was junk mail. Good thing I didn't.
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Post by luvparee on Jun 20, 2007 9:16:06 GMT -5
Lucky & Sister -- I think it is so fabulous that the two of you are going to Paris together!! My mother would have NEVER done anything so outrageous! Glad I didn't get that no travel gene!
The things that sing to me most in Paris are the cheeses -- I could absolutely live on cheese, but the French really know how to make delicious wonderful cheese. There are so many to choose from that it's not hard to find something you love. The other thing I love there are the Croque Monsieurs. Obviously, that would be a lunch or snack item -- but how they have taken the grilled cheese sandwich to new heights. Also, the quiche Lorraine is like nothing you've had in the US.
When I'm in Paris, I try to eat things I wouldn't eat here on an everyday basis ... escargot, foie gras, rabbit, duck -- however, I dream of the rotisserie chicken with roasted potatoes in the chicken fat!!! It seems every food item is taken to a new level in France.
Don't get me started on the pastries or bread, though~~~~
Enjoy!
joy/luvparee
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Post by Anne on Jun 20, 2007 9:22:05 GMT -5
Is luckymama the mother of sistereurope
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 20, 2007 9:24:04 GMT -5
Yes, she is.
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Post by sistereurope on Jun 20, 2007 9:24:57 GMT -5
yes Anne, luckymama is my mom. I'm taking her to Paris (her first visit to France) in December - just the two of us. She's very excited...(of course I am too) Although I think I'm the lucky one - I actually have a mother that I enjoy traveling and spending time with!
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Post by Anne on Jun 20, 2007 10:53:07 GMT -5
That is really lovely, and yes you're lucky sister
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 20, 2007 10:56:54 GMT -5
Sis - Have you considered changing your name to "luckydaughter"? Personally, I think both of you are very fortunate to have each other. You should count your blessings.
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Post by sistereurope on Jun 20, 2007 12:22:21 GMT -5
thanks Anne and Shoesy...we've had our moments and fortunately we survived them It will be fun to be with luckymama as she discovers the fabulous food in Paris - she's going to go nuts just tasting that wonderful bread!!
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Post by luckymama on Jun 20, 2007 14:42:11 GMT -5
Gee, I am so thrilled with all the responses I received to my posting. Everyone has been so helpful with their menu suggestions. I KNOW that I will be in heaven even if I only have the bread, cheeses and, of course, the VIN! Sistereurope introduced me to red wine several years ago. I blame my indulgence on her, ha ha.
I was surprised to hear about the lack of "veggies." I love vegetables, but I am sure I will do fine without them. I, probably, could live on the pastries alone.
I am going to tell sistereurope that she has to keep "wetting" my appetite for french cooking and keep taking me out to dinner.
I really would LOVE to take a cooking class while I am there, but I suppose one class would not do much!
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Post by luckymama on Jun 20, 2007 14:43:16 GMT -5
Shoesy, I like that name "luckydaughter." Just kidding, SE!
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