Bits and Pieces – France

Bits and Pieces IV.

 

Le Nemrod – Paris: More on the traditional side, this French bistro provides platters that satisfy the customer. The food we had was not outstanding though; it did not really trigger a need-to-go-back-there thought in my mind. It does, however, introduce an affair with the fondant, which is habitually wed to vanilla ice cream.

 

Breizh Cafe – Paris: A Breton creperie on the Michelin Guide, it rightfully states that it makes crepes differently: “La crepe autrement”. They use organic buckwheat and stone-milled wheat flour in their recipes to create their signature taste. The ham and cheese crepe was great, and the Japanese influence could be seen in the matcha ice cream. However, the best crepe was undoubtedly the sweet crepe I had; what could be better than vanilla ice cream and Salted Caramel syrup? That is definitely a rhetorical question.

 

Coquelicot – Paris: Do you want fresh bread, French pastry, or maybe breakfast? Well, you can do all three at Coquelicot. At the risk of sounding like an advertisement, I did want to showcase the selection they have. Located in a lovely area in Paris called Montmartre, this patisserie/boulangerie/restaurant, dating back to 1978, was our destination for a wholesome breakfast. I enjoyed the food and sitting outside on the pavement. When we were done with the tea, eggs, salmon, ham, and cheese, I needed to satisfy my sweet tooth with a huge meringue from inside. So, after all the Salted, my Caramel was placed into a paper bag and I nibbled on it as we walked around in the beautiful city of Paris.

 

Le Pain Quotidien – Paris: I have already talked about how I like to go to Le Pain Quotidien anywhere I travel if I am in the mood for a casual setting; Paris was no different. We had a hearty breakfast that enabled us to begin our day energetically.

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Le 6 Paul Bert – Paris

Le 6 Paul Bert is a restaurant on the Michelin guide, and rightfully so. At one end it has an eager individual ready to cut through a diverse assortment of hams. While on the other end, one gets familiar with the masterminds behind the concoctions that will be devoured. The chefs are standing in an open kitchen with utter transparency and nothing to hide. I had poultry for my main dish after feasting on its humble beginnings as an ingredient in my salad. The dishes were presented in an appetizing manner and the food was filled with flavor. I enjoyed sitting at the red table in this cozy Parisian restaurant placed on the corner of a street.

Les Garnements – Paris

I had to put up this post about Les Garnements in Paris because if you look closely at the photographs, yes you guessed it, they have delicious Salted Caramel ice cream perched on top of the pain perdu. This restaurant had a relaxed atmosphere which can be seen in the amusing work of art in my dessert. Obviously, the fish was great and I enjoyed the doneness of the green beans on the side. Also, a platter of various kinds of ham and cheese is always a significant addition to any meal. Coming full circle, the salty sweet sphere of frozen goodness was a welcomed variation of the vanilla scoop traditionally used to accompany the moistness of a French toast.

Cafe Constant – Paris

Another take on the ile flottante and gazpacho; this time together in one meal. A Parisian restaurant next to the Eiffel Tower, Cafe Constant is on the Michelin Guide and is owned by French chef Christian Constant. If you have read my previous blog posts, you might already know by now that I love this red soup and that sweet softness. The former was cool and refreshing, while the latter was good but not one of the best I have had; the salted was better than the caramel in this case. However, I really loved the batter-fried vegetables. They made vegetables more exciting for me (although granted, less healthy); I was surprised that it even made them stand out among the other dishes which are among my favorites.

Les Papilles – Paris

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A French bistro on the Michelin Guide, a cozy restaurant lined with wine bottles, Les Papilles left a lasting impression. For dinner, the chef prepares a single set menu – take it or leave it. We decided to take it. It was as if we willfully succumbed to the chef’s desires. I loved the fact that this was it; no choices, yet all unexpected goodness. The first surprise was a gazpacho and I have mentioned before that I am fond of a flavorful gazpacho. The main item on the menu was next;a succulent duck breast with roasted vegetables and potatoes. The sauce was more like a glaze and in my opinion that was the real star of the dish. Then came a slice of tangy cheese that was perfectly complemented by the jam reduction. As a finale, we had the panna cotta which successfully completed the whole meal. I was so satisfied with this hearty meal that on the way back from the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of the kitchen. I was lucky that the door was open in that instance and when I saw the chef I could not stop myself from complementing him on his skills. I won’t forget this restaurant that “forces” you to eat what they want for dinner, in a good way of course.

Un Dimanche a Paris – Paris

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What better to talk about than chocolate? Especially this charming Parisian cafe-like restaurant rightfully placed on the Michelin Guide. Un Dimanche a Paris loves chocolate and uses it expertly in its recipes, savory and sweet. The ambiance was great and the food was delicious and well-presented. I love starting with a gazpacho and ending with a chocolate dessert, especially if it’s a good one. We even bought some extra chocolate creations from the boutique to keep us company. I would definitely want to go again and taste a wider range of what they have to offer.

A la Biche au Bois – Paris

Paris. What better city to begin with? This was the first time I had tasted this sugary concoction. Soft meringue in creme anglaise with caramel syrup…the Ile Flottante. Needless to say, it was delicious! Ever since I met this floating island, I have scrutinized dessert menus for it everywhere I travel.

I am Salted Caramel. I love food. I realized that most of the photographs, if not all, that I take when I travel involve what I had eaten on the trip. Before traveling, my priority has become to look up potential restaurants to go to, new flavors to savor. Then I noticed that I started taking photographs of food even when I went to local restaurants. So, I thought why not try to put these memories all in one place; hence this blogging attempt.

Why call it salted caramel? Well, I would like to post pictures of savory dishes as well as those of sweet creations..the salty but also the sweet; salted caramel. For those of you who have tasted salted caramel, you also know that the added salt allows the caramel flavor to literally burst with intensity onto your unaware eagerly awaiting taste buds. So, new combinations of ingredients one never thought would go together do, and on the contrary, they enhance the whole experience of tasting and enjoying food; of expanding  one’s palate. Isn’t that enough reason to live for? I surely think so.

Enjoy the rest of the photographs from this traditional French bistro below. I would like to add that it is rightfully on the Michelin Guide and worth a visit.

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