I love it when taking a wrong turn turns out to be the best thing.
We did start out with a plan, but that was thrown out the window when over an hour later and with tummies rumbling, we realised we were in completely the wrong area. Yep, we turned the "other" left.
But then there in the distance (well, across the road) was a glimpse of warmth, cosiness and most importantly....food. Watty and Meg. The perfect little bistro for these two hungry little ladies.
Read MoreCafe Regular du Nord. Mere moments away from our Brooklyn home.
It's cosy. It's buzzing. It has croissants. It makes a mean latte.
It's our local.
Read MoreFar far away in a little town called Paris lives a pretty, yet unassuming restaurant called Yard.
This little Parisian gem is not interested in being amongst the hustle and bustle, but can be discovered hiding down a little back cobbled lane, away from prying tourist eyes. An hours walk from our apartment brings us inside this oasis where you'll find me...hungrily and impatiently waiting for the seasonal (albeit limited) menu to be placed in front of me.
And each year I walk away having indulged in and subsequently voted for "the dish of the trip"
Read MoreThe Marais. The area of Paris we love the most. The area we stay every time we visit, and the area where we’ve slowly gotten to know some of the locals. We like to think they love us and miss us when we’re gone…yes, we also like to dream a lot.
Rachel’s is a funny place.
I’m not quite sure if I know (or even if it knows) where it fits into the whole Parisian culinary scheme of things, but what I did love were the smiles we received when we entered.
Read MoreWe are what we eat. So I keep getting told. So what am I if I’m addicted to yoghurt?
I even have my own yoghurt lady here in Paris.
I nearly wet my pants when she said she remembered us when we shuffled through her fromagerie door, tired and in need of a hit of dairy. She didn’t know that of course, as I like to think I played the aloof, professional and worldly traveller.
I love the white stuff so much, I have the tiny little glass jars it comes in at home to prove it. Some people collect stamps or teaspoons.....
Is it sad to admit that they filled a whole box when I recently moved house?
Read MoreThere are moments in life when you have to throw away all of your rules. Suck up the suffering and pain for later and simply jump head first into the unknown.
This was what I did today.
I don't have an overly sweet tooth. I tend to avoid refined sugars (in fact all sugars) where I possibly can, and you'll rarely see me order dessert (unless it's a latte or cheese platter).
But today.....
Today I took part in a taste bud journey.
Today I ate 5 desserts....in a row!
Read MoreWith the Marais street market bustling away just outside its door, The Broken Arm is a little refuge away from the noise, elbow pushing and cigarette smoke.
I've got my vintage teaspoons and the most gorgeous old ceramic coiffure jar tucked safely away in my bag.
Ella Fitzgerald is playing. Slabs of lemon poppy seed cake on the bench. The coffee is REALLY good.
REALLY good!
Read MoreWith 7 hours of solid walking under our belt, a big degustation lunch (which was pushing out said belt), and a few chosen treasures, purchased by moi, safely ensconced in my bag from the big street market which happened to be going on in the Marais, we decided that we deserved it to be wine o'clock time. Right now.
La Manger du Marais was our wine bar of choice (well, truthfully we just happened to be walking past it when wine o'clock hit).
With its welcoming cushioned seats, big smiling (kinda cute) waiter, delicious rose and jazzy tunes it was the perfect choice for these two weary chickadees.
Ah Paris. Part II is definitely off to a good start.
Read MoreHave you ever walked out the door of a restaurant and had to use all of your willpower not to curl up in the fetal position and rock like a little baby because your belly was so full and your eyes were so heavy?
This was me five minutes after the last photo was taken below.
I was ready to let my body free fall and smack the pavement head first, falling into a deep food coma for the rest of the afternoon.
Crap, I still had to act like a lady and get home before that was to happen!
Read MoreThe waiter, who only spoke to us in French must have actually understood us as he arrived a moment later with exactly what we’d ordered … two bowls of taboule aux legumes du marche and a bottle of rose wine.
Holy shit…I think we’re finally French!
Read MoreEarlier today I fell in love.
The most gorgeous vintage teapot, made in France, is now settled snuggly in my suitcase. With its gorgeous flower detail and dark green leather handle, I handed my 30 euro over to the old French monsieur who’s cigarette hung comfortably and expertly out the side of his mouth.
Only in France.
To celebrate my new love - we ordered our third coffee of the day. In fact, it turned out to be the best coffee of the day.
Read MoreIt's no secret that I love a limited menu. I adore restaurants and cafes that have only a few select dishes lovingly made for that particular day based on the seasons and what's fresh. Lovingly created ready for me to be inspired by.
I love everything about this place.
From the bonjour we received upon walking through the door, the gorgeous styling inside, to the organic food that greeted me.
This place is not about fancy food. It's real food.
Read MoreThis tiny "hole in the wall" coffee shop in Paris gets a lot of social media attention.
It was on our "must try" list, so when we stumbled upon it by accident one beautiful sunny day, we pulled up a stool and ordered our coffee.
It was ok.
Maybe our hopes were too high. Maybe we're becoming too French and no longer use to such a strong flavoured coffee. Whatever the answer, we've been, we've tried....c'est tout!
Read MoreWe have found a winner people!
Yes. A bold statement, but I think I have found one of the loveliest coffees I've actually had in Paris.... EVER.
If you wander down an almost deserted little lane way in the 6th arrondissement
in Paris, you will, I promise you, find wonderful eggs Benedict, friendly service and creamy, smooth, lip licking coffee.
Did I mention the coffee?
Read MoreIt's no secret that I love France more deeply than just about anything else in this world, and in fact, my love of all things French probably borders on obsession (or as I like to think of it "patriotism").
Perhaps it was the fresh produce propped up in the front window, or the red chairs and wooden bench tops, or maybe even the pita bread pockets being served to those surrounding me with grumbling tummies... whatever it was, I was instantly transported back to Paris, and in particular, a little joint in the Marais called Miznon (see here).
I may not be able to afford to jump on a plane back to Paris very often, but when in need of a little French pick-me up, this is where I go. Now to just get the staff to speak French to me....
Read MoreOn Monday's you will more than likely find me hiding out at a little hole in the wall down one of Melbourne's busy lane ways. This is no exaggeration as it is literally a hole in the wall, but inside that hole are two of the sweetest ladies you're ever likely to meet. Also in that hole, you'll also find some of the yummiest food being whipped up.
A huge smile always appears on my face when Sally whips out the rolling pin and cookie dough, or when we end up playing "waitress" whilst sipping our own coffee. These lovely ladies have the biggest smiles and hearts in the business and whenever I find myself whipping out my own rolling pin, I always think of them.
Read MoreWhen it comes to food and meal times, I am not a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of girl.
I'm a planner.
Whilst munching away on breakfast, you can bet that I've already planned what I need to pick up for my lunch and dinner later that day, so the discovery of this little bakery located Rue des Martyrs in the Montmartre district of Paris suited me perfectly. While heading off to lunch, we had dinner safely packed away in our bags....phew....everyone can relax now!
The quality of the ingredients (sourced from small producers) is what stands out in this organic bakery run by a Franco-British couple, where you'll find huge bowls of freshly made salads, daily soups, quiches to die for, and not to mention mouth watering puddings.
Be prepared to queue and wait!
It's so worth it!
Read MoreIf you've been by Chit Chat Chomp in the past, you're probably wondering where my whole attitude towards sugar has gone.
Yes, I'll be the first to admit that it has flown out the window. In fact, I don't think it boarded the plane with me in the first place.
But how do you do France eating no sugar?
How do you say no to those beautiful pain au chocolats or the mille feuilles? Tell me?
I am the first to admit that I have fully committed to every bite I have taken on this trip and I've enjoyed every single one of them, however my body is now starting to tell me off. It's had enough. So on this particular day...I listened.
Read MoreWhen it comes to good coffee, us Melburnian's are truly spoilt for choice.
A Melburnian wanting her morning coffee hit in France is a whole different story.
Although, in fairness, the coffee scene in Paris has definitely changed for the better since our last visit 18 months ago.
Needing a coffee hit?
Get your walking shoes on and head over to the 10th Arrondissement and visit Holybelly.
Good simple food. Exceptional coffee made with love. Service. that makes you smile.
They even have vegemite!
Read More2 reasons made us stop outside this tiny little bar located over on Left Bank.
The sight of fresh oysters (huitres) in the window and the very handsome and distinguished looking French gentleman looking in through said window. What's a girl to do?
No surprises that we entered said establishment. Propped ourselves up at the table by the front window. Then relaxed back, people watched, drank bubbles and gobbled up delicious huitres from Normandy.
What else do ladies do during the week?
(how am I ever going to go back to reality?!)
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