Lost in Paris…

November 16 to 20

Lost in Paris…four days later and I emerge from a blur of metro stations, monuments, museums, cafes and markets… This is a Paris I don’t remember. It’s modern. After all, 31 years ago I spent most of my time as a student in and around the 7e…not being a tourist. I am busy trying to show Nick, my 16-year-old son Paris for his first time. We find ourselves strolling into small souvenir shops looking for shot glasses with the Eiffel Tower engraved on it for his Russian school friend or instead of couturier on the rue de Rivoli….we are shopping for Bob Marley patches and wall hangings on the Champs Elysées…interestingly enough these items have been easy to find…I don’t remember Paris being this commercial nor for that matter this filled with tourist…many of them are French who have come to see the sights…

Walking is still my preferred method of getting around town. However the RER Red Line is a great way to reach the outskirts of the city. Seine St. Denis is the district where Nick and I are the guests of Frank and Michelle Lodinzski, Jessica’s mom and dad. They live in a charming home surrounded by beautiful gardens and with a kitchen equipped as well as only found in commercial restaurant. They have a passion for food and cooking. I have been dazzled by the variety of preparation that spans numerous countries… Simply put it has been by far my best food experience in France. Here’s just a few menu items for thought….Golobki (stuffed cabbages),Moules Frites , then next day Mussels in Garlic Sauce, Poached sole, and prawns in a light lemon hollandaise filled puff pastry with braised endive and courgette and carrot custard, next day for lunch we had a well marbled Beef Carpaccio with shaved Parmesan and an incredible Penne Arabiata spiced with Harissa and lots of my favorite…garlic. I never knew I was a fan of raw oysters until now…Normandy Oysters with Balsamic Mignonette, Sea Urchin straight from the shell…  and Frank’s hand thrown Pizza…better than any I have found stateside…these are just a few of the items Nick and I have happily consumed.

Touring the markets with Michelle is an education. I must admit while I am excited to see all of the overwhelming choices, I am a bit sad there are few places in the US that have this sort of variety of seafood, produce, meats, cheese, breads…not New York nor San Francisco can compare. And I am only talking about the variety found at a local Farmer’s Market on Sunday morning in this quaint town Of SSD.

 

Highlights:

Paris: Musée d’Orsay (don’t forget to stop by their café for a bite…it’s beautiful and the food and wine selections is surprising for a museum café), Stroll down Champs Elysées, Around the Arc de Triomphe, Trocadéro, Père – Lachaise tombs of Chopin, Sarah Bernhardt, Jim Morrison of the Doors and various tourist sites not to forget Nick’s shopping spree at Galeries Lafayette…and a regrettable forgettable Fauchons…what did they do to that once landmark shop?

Champagne: The caves at Moet et Chandon…lunch at a country restaurant featuring Pate Maison, Coq au Vin with Agatha Whipped Potatoes and Chanterelles…yummy! Last but far from least, our spontaneous drop in on  René Geoffroy to taste not only his champagne Brut Rosé but try his Cumieres Rouge. His dessert wine Rafiata (I have to check my spelling is a great alternative to a dessert Sauterne)

Farmer's Market: Potatoes...here's just a few; Ratte, Pompodour, Le Charlotte, Amendine, La Belle de Fontenay, Mona Lisa, Agatha....a pink one I have forgotten it's name...there are more of course. The shallots: Cuisse de Poulet (the real shallot/ mildest), Grey shallot (spiciest) and our common shallot (medium spice)

My greatest pleasure has been being Michelle and Frank's guest...talk about 5 star treatment! Merci beau coup, mon Ami's

In tribute to my friend Michelle who always sets a proper table, makes every dinner a party while making it look easy, I givee you her recipe for a fast yet fabulous Penne Arabiata.

Penne Arabiata

Fry a generous amount (lots) of sliced garlic cloves in a flavorful fruity olive oil until the garlic is golden (not burned). Add Good canned Italian Whole Tomatoes that were previously pureed. Add Harissa (chili pepper sauce) to taste (start with a tablespoon..then add more if desired). Season with salt (Fleur de sel / the top layer harvested from sea salt). Simmer until tomatoes no longer taste raw and garlic has infused sauce. Simply boil Penne pasta until it is al dente. Drain and serve hot in a pasta bowl with the heated Arabiata sauce on the side with Parmesan Regianno.  Frank and Michelle served this after a beautiful beef carpaccio laced with good olive oil and shaved Parmesan...crusty french bread is a must to satisfactorily sop up any remaining sauce in the bowl....

Bon Appetit

Comments

[Kiama accommodation]

Excellent post.Thanks for sharing these beautiful information about Paris

[caravanning blogs]

Hi,

Nice article about Paris.....I planning to visit this place very shortly......