A week in Italy feasting daily
on pasta, pizza, and gelato daily didn't prepare me for the richness of
France's cuisine. I've been to France a few times so it wasn’t like I was a
novice. Perhaps it was a race to the finish since it was the end of the
honeymoon?
Within three days, we consumed foie gras, pâté, and head cheese--and
that's only the offal department. Additionally we devoured steak, duck, lamb,
and pastries (a cardiologist's nightmare). Lucky for me, Paris was a walking
city so I didn’t gain 10 kilos. But I digress . . . and am by no means complaining. Our
trip was a gastronomic orgasm. Here are a few of my favorite meals:
We arrived in Paris and went to
a hip bistro called La Regalade. They had a 35E three-course prix fixe. Instead
of the traditional bread and butter on tables, La Regalade gives each table a
terrine of pâté, a jar of cornichons, and fresh baked bread. Other nice
dishes were the squid ink risotto with calamari, and filet of veal with snap
peas and rigatoni. Their desserts were also delicious. We loved the mason jar
of rice pudding and the praline souffle.
While in Paris, we had the pleasure of dining
with our French uncles, Claude and Dominique for a Sunday lunch. Our meal
included foie gras, head cheese, monkfish in a blanquette sauce, braised
mushrooms and leeks, a cheese course, and sorbet from the famous Berthillon.
Each course was paired with excellent French wines. Did I mention this was
lunch?
One of our last meals was at Chez Fernand, a darling restaurant in the 6th arrondisement.
We feasted on French onion soup, escargot, and braised lamb shank served with
legumes. We shared a bottle of Bordeaux that paired excellently with the rich
local fare.
I cannot express in writing and photos what an
amazing trip our honeymoon was. I hope I inspired you to take a trip to Italy
and France. I cannot recommend it enough!