Dining out in Paris....

Once we arrived in Paris, we had to search out the neighborhood for places to dine. Everything revolves around eating! There is no cooking in the hotel so we must learn to find the cuisines that we like and walk there. MonoPrix is just 4 blocks away on The Champs Elysees,

and they have everything from sundries, clothes to groceries. Lebanese was our first choice, and there was Al Aljima just a couple of blocks from us. I can't say much good about it. The food was OK, but they didn't serve the usual condiments, etc. and we were crammed into a small table just at the doorway. Noura is a much better choice, and it isn't much further. They have a Traiteur (take-away) and a nice restaurant which is all carved stucco...very beautiful. Our next meal was at Chez Andre! Chuck had Sole, and I had bouillabaisse. Ronnie and Sally Wood invited us to dinner there a few nights later, too. We had a Floating Island and some divine chocolate cake (isn't all chocolate divine?) Sally is a cake afficionado, and she is writing a book on baking cakes. I went with her to the district past the Louvre where they sell all the baking wares. So,  again, Chez Andre rocked. We were even able to walk there without Ronnie being accosted. On Valentine's Day we dined yet again. It is in the middle of the Golden Triangle where business, fashion,  luxury and the press all meet. This proved to be our favorite restaurant. It was the typical Bistro...noisy, crowded, but the food was spot on! The # 3 oysters were so good and tasted of the sea.

I don't like taxis...although they are necessary, but it is so much easier to just walk out the door; cross the street, and sit down. Coming from the Plantation where there is so much food service I look forward to not having to think about it all. There are a multitude of bistros, brasseries, etc. just across the street. We do bone up our little refrigerator with cheese, fruit, nuts and of course, wine...it is France, after all. 

Chez Andre

Another local haunt was Findi just across the street from the George V. We dined there frequently as the food was always good, and it was easy. and quiet. I so got tired of the sandwiched in tables where everyone could hear your conversation...or worse, I could hear theirs. Telephones should be banned in all restaurants. Or, at least excuse yourself.. Well, 'nuff said on that end!!!! The weather in Paris was cold and rainy being low 40s and high 50s the whole time that we were there. That made going out miserable, but nevertheless, you have to do it so honker down!!! Patty Richards, Sally Wood, Jenny Taylor and I made a trip across the Seine to dine at a sandwich shop in St. Germain. It was Cuisine de Bar at # 8 Rue de Cherche de Midi. 

Cuisine de Bar

This was one of Patty's favorite spots. Mostly. they served toast with toppings like cheese and tomato, proscuito and cheese or tuna and spinach, etc. I also had a pumpkin soup with crayfish which was delicious. We stopped at Bon Marche for a little retail therapy, but honestly, we just weren't in the mood to acquire anything else to crowd our cases. We walked back across the Place de Concorde over to Rue Faubourg de St. Honore visiting The Hotel Costes.

Hotel Costa Reception

What a bohemian place...very Parisienne. At some point we stopped for a cappachino....a good one with lots of foam and sprinkled cocoa on top. Yummy! It was raining by this time so we called a Uber cab to pick us up....spoke American, too. There in 5 minutes!!!  Other experiences included the Japanese restaurant Hanawa.

Hanawa

Great!!! Le Relais de L'Entrecote is where they only serve one meal....Entrecote (ribeye),  fries (frites)  and a small green salad.

Steak aux Frites

It is an all you can eat sort of place. Wow! I'm just getting hungry thinking about all this great food! Chuck and I adore Indian food. Our new best place Shantoor was only a few block away so we went there several times. It was upstairs in a dark and very atmospheric place. The menu was small but really great. They had an unusual assortment of pickles and condiments.There is just something really aromatic about all the Indian spices...and Tandoori meats I just adore. Of course, we had the usual lunches around the area, but we don't really do much of that as we usually get a breakfast included in our room. The George V had the very best Club Sandwich and if that didn't suit we had an omelet. The bar there was also really tops if expensive...but what the heck...you only live once..And, as my family said: You can't take it with you.

Santoor

Our dining experience in Paris has been tremendous. I'm sorry that I didn't chronicle the restaurants that we visited in 2013. They were all on the other side of the Champs Elysees. The Berkeley was one that stands out in my mind. Indira...and the Laduree..

Rue Faubourg St. Honore