Fun food in France

By popular request, a post on our food experiences in Paris…..

First thing we have learned: the food here is RICH.  Second thing we have learned: ….sorry!  you’ll have to read through to the end of the post.

FAVORITE FRENCH FOODS:  Chris’s favorite French food: Croque Monsieur (a broiled ham and cheese kind of thing).  Ellie’s favorite French food: Nutella Crepe.  Jeff’s favorite: Croque Monsieur plus Nutella Crepes.  Marcy’s  favorite: anything from the chocolate shop around the corner!  Are you starting to see a trend here?

Wow, we have been eating some good food.  However, our first couple of days, we were not thrilled. I think it was a combination of factors: we were just going to the wrong places, it was 95 degrees out with no air conditioning, and we were sitting next to a lot of smokers.  A few days in, the weather turned perfect, we started looking for places that seemed to be busy with locals, and we got a lot better at avoiding the smokers in the restaurants.

Ellie and I are loving the quiche.  And, boy do the French know how to put together a nice salad.  And they do NOT skimp on the dressing.  Yummo.  I have to admit that we have not been extremely adventurous – not much escargot or organ meat.  However, I am proud to have tried beef tartare (the verdict: “Eh…”)

A big part of the enjoyment of Parisian food for me is the setting:  lots of lovely cafes and bistros.  I mean, LOTS of them.  In the midst of beautiful parks, on every corner of busy squares, and down quiet side streets, they are everywhere. Each one unique, and each feels so very French.

One thing we can’t quite get used to: the French have a thing for over-easy fried eggs. Runny eggs have appeared on our Pizza, on top of perfectly yummy grilled ham/cheese sandwiches, and in the middle of soups. Hmmm….something is not quite right about this.

However, we had a great meal tonight (with no runny eggs) – probably the best one yet.  A restaurant called “Bon”.  Delicious asian food, super cool decor, and an arm wrestling match(???)…check out the photos below:

So, time to reveal the second thing we’ve learned:  (an idea I picked up from my friend Kimberly, also searching for the “healthy” food in Paris….)

!!better put Jenny Craig on the speed dial when we get home!!