…

You may already have your dining dance card all filled out (or maybe you’re back home!) but after honeymooning in Paris last fall, I had two memorable lunches that were easy on the wallet & delicious…

Le Pre Verre
8 rue Thenard, 5e
(Latin Quarter)
A bistro du vin, their set menu is a STEAL & the place is packed elbow-to-elbow for lunch. By no means Pan-Asian, the chef does incorporate some interesting spices into traditional fare. I have no idea how we learned about it (not in Michelin or the likes) but locals love it…

Sardegna a Tavola
1 rue de Cotte,
(Bastille/Nation)
After wandering through the market, I wanted to check out their posted menu & walked away thinking, “do I really want to eat Italian on my last day in Paris?) About a block away, I stopped in my tracks & thought about it…

Ken looked at me & said, “On a scale from 1 to 10, how much are you going to regret not going to this place?” I turned around & headed right back to reread the menu. “10,” I said, & the deal was done.

The place transports you… A large group of blue-eyed Italians were sitting at a table, slurping pasta & giant crustaceans out of a communal wooden bowl. Etheral folk music played on the stereo, & I placed our order in Italian. Was this Paris, or the islands?
Then an Italian film director came in & papparazi pictures were snapped–it was all too much to even believe where outside there was construction on a drab block of Paris.

The flavors were exotic, mint & orange mixed with ricotta, as were the pastas (Ken couldn’t get through his as Sardinian gnocchi look a little like a pile of maggots, but I could!)

The “amuse bouche” was a full basket of deliciousness–spiced olives, polenta squares, savory potatoes, and a full plate of carta de musica drizzled with delicious oil. A meal I will never forget!

AND if you’ve got room in your bags, see if you can find some moutarde piment d’esplette (mustard with Basque peppers…) It makes the most amazing vinaigrette & is divine on sandwiches… I wish I had brought back a case!!!

Sorry, think I just did a whole blog entry here

Bon appetit!
Catherine

William

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