Last year, when I came back from my trip to Paris in May, I shared the art of making homemade croissants. Recently, while planning my upcoming trip to Greece, I realized that I never properly paid homage to everything else that was so incredibly delicious about Paris. Paris is undeniably a magical place - the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes are all so unique. I had a few really memorable meals, most notably at Verjus and Le Relais de L’Entrecote, but for the most part, we wandered the city stopping to try whatever looked and smelled best along the way. I’ve always found that’s the best way to travel!
Here are my top 5 picks (in no particular order) of what not to miss while tasting your way through Paris.
1. The Bread
I’m not willing to admit how many baguettes we enjoyed while walking through the streets. Slather on a little (or a lot) of French butter and you’re set… no need for plates or silverware! The crust is perfectly crunchy and the inside perfectly soft. It’s also really inexpensive, making it a great way to save some money while you travel. You can event grab a baguette and some charcuterie and enjoy a picnic near the Eiffel Tower or one of the many beautiful parks.
2. The Cheese
I know I just said the bread was a star by itself – and I stick by that – but everything tastes better with cheese, and the cheese in Paris is exceptional. I loved walking to a fromagerie or market in the morning and getting something new each day - most times it never made it back to the hotel for my boyfriend to try. There are so many options and the cheesemongers love to give out samples!
3. The Desserts
You really can’t go wrong when it comes to the sweet stuff in Paris. Glace (ice cream), croissants, macarons, crepes, madeleines… it’s all wonderful. I tried as many flavors of macarons as possible and even brought some back with us.
Creperies abound, so make sure you try both a sweet and savory version – they make for a delicious and portable meal on the go!
4. The Middle Eastern Fare
This might seem a little unusual, but trust me, the middle eastern food in Paris is phenomenal and can be found at just about every turn. The doner kebabs and falafel are my favorite. One afternoon we stopped at L’As Du Fallafel. Prepare for a line at any time of day. My boyfriend agreed to share a falafel with me, as it was getting close to dinner time and we were just looking for a quick snack. We each took a bite, looked at each other, and knew we needed to get back in line and cancel our dinner plans – yes, they’re that good!
5. The Steak
The French prepare steak a multitude of ways, but Steak Frites (steak with French Fries) is my absolute favorite. After one of our chefs recommended it to me, I knew I had to try it. At Le Relais De L’Entrecote, you’ll wait in line (no reservations), for one dish, the steak with green sauce (it’s herby, tangy, and delicious, but they definitely won’t share the secret!), and fries. They keep both the steak and fries coming and leave it to warm near your table on top of tea lights. This isn’t the fancy five course meal you’ve read about, but trust me, it’ll be one of the best food decisions you’ll make on your trip.
Now that you’re hungry and set on going to Paris, I have great news. You can experience a delicious variety of French foods and wines, while listening to live music with us at The Chopping Block! On Friday, April 13th, from 6pm to 9pm, our Merchandise Mart location will transform into a Parisian paradise for our special April in Paris event. We’ll have Gougeres (cheese puffs), Mussels Mariniere, Strip Steaks with Bordelaise, Coquille St. Jacques (crispy scallops au gratin), Duck a L’orange, Warm French Lentil Salad, and Crepes Suzette, just to name a few!
You’ll taste each dish as you travel throughout our space learning how to make them. You can even add on a French 75 cocktail for an extra special twist. In addition, we’re excited to be partnering with the French Pastry School, and they will be providing beautiful breads for the event. This is an event not to be missed! It’s great for someone solo looking for a fun social evening out, to a large group of friends, or a couple looking for a fun date night – this event has something for everyone. Seats are going quickly, so get yours now!
