The 5 best things I ate in Paris: March 2013

In this series, I round up the five best things I ate in a particular city or country. Each month around the 15th, I feature a destination from my past travels; on the last day I recap the best of the month in Paris. 

Occasionally people will tell me, “I read your blog and can’t believe you eat so much.” And I’ll say, Really? I think I eat a proportionally acceptable amount of food needed by a person to survive, or at the very least, the average amount for someone living in Paris. But March was one of those months where I looked back on my photos and had to agree: I eat a lot. So if the next time you see me I’m rolling out the fat pants, here’s why:

Raclette

Raclette is cheese fondue. That you can melt at home. And eat with bacon (and other meats that are also delicious, though not as good as bacon). Let’s be honest, there’s no way this wasn’t going to be the best thing I ate all month. (Many thanks to Emily for letting us come over and showing us the ways of the home raclette machine.)

Comme à Lisbonne

The Portuguese egg tarts here are, as the name of the shop suggests, like they are in Lisbon. Not that I’ve been to Portugal, but the line out the door suggests it’s true — and said line also ensures you some extremely hot and fresh egg tarts due to them flying off the rack so quickly. Don’t forget to ask for cinnamon on top — it changes the flavor of the egg tart from wonderful to heavenly.

Le Petit Italien

The food here is solid, probably your standard Italian dishes (I wouldn’t know, I haven’t been to Italy either…I know, I know, I’m working on it) but the real reason Le Petit Italien is on the list is because of its memorably wonderful service. And the giant snifters of limoncello. The tiramisu and four-cheese ravioli aren’t bad, either. Basically, I would consider this a perfect date-night restaurant.

Carette

Look, after you’ve sat down to a table of 150 macarons and tested 25 different flavors from five different macaron houses, you have a pretty good idea of who has the best macarons in town. For me, Carette’s salted caramel won hands-down — and their other flavors weren’t far behind either. Ignore the peanut gallery who might say otherwise (like, “macarons on steroids“? Lies).

Un Dimanche à Paris

My one complaint about Un Dimanche à Paris is that the portion sizes are too small, especially for the price. But the salon space is beautiful (and huge!), the flavor combinations are innovative — especially their weekend eclairs — and the mint hot chocolate is a good rare find in Paris. I’d say go at least once for the ambience, and to wave hello at the patisserie interns in the open kitchen while you browse their large pastry case.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

You Might Also Like...

37 Comments

  • Reply
    Melanie Fontaine
    April 1, 2013 at 00:44

    I absolutely love Raclette! In Germany, Raclette (together with Fondue) is a traditional dish for New Year’s Eve because you can literally spend hours eating, it’s so good! :) I also once had Raclette in a little Swiss place somewhere in Montmatre, where they had an utterling confusing traditional Raclette Machine, but that was half of the fun. These are some of my favorite posts on your blog! :)

    xx
    Melanie

    • Reply
      edna
      April 1, 2013 at 00:47

      Aw thanks Melanie! I love raclette but can’t believe it took me over a year in Paris before finally trying it, now it’s the end of winter and I don’t know if I’ll be in Europe when raclette season rolls around again!

  • Reply
    Jessica
    April 1, 2013 at 01:40

    How have I never heard of raclette before? I usually make it my mission to try all delicious things involving cheese – it’s definitely on the list now!

    • Reply
      edna
      April 1, 2013 at 01:55

      I’m not sure, but you have to try it! I’m not even a big cheese fan but man, melted cheese is a whole different (delicious) story.

  • Reply
    cosmoHallitan
    April 1, 2013 at 03:09

    This post was torturous – it all looks SO delicious! What I wouldn’t do for some bacon dipped in cheese fondue right about now.

    • Reply
      edna
      April 1, 2013 at 12:57

      I think we’re even now for that kimchi post you wrote recently, which had me craving Korean food!

  • Reply
    Paris in Four Months
    April 1, 2013 at 10:29

    This looks aaaamzing! I’m so in the mood for a Nata pastry at the moment. Yum! Although I think that “macarons on steroids” can be positive as well = you get extra much of everything ;)

    xx Carin

    • Reply
      edna
      April 1, 2013 at 12:58

      Me too…I’m always in the mood for more egg tarts! Well you know where to find me if you ever want to sit along the Seine with some cinnamon packets again :)

  • Reply
    Jessica of HolaYessica
    April 1, 2013 at 14:52

    Um, home raclette machine? That sounds amazing!

    I tried those Portugese egg tarts here at a Portugese festival and they are soo delicious. You’re right, the cinnamon takes them to a whole new level of delicious.

    • Reply
      edna
      April 1, 2013 at 14:53

      The wonders of technology, right? It’s a good thing I don’t have one myself, the amount of cheese I would consume…

  • Reply
    Erica
    April 1, 2013 at 19:00

    I love raclette. It was the sole reason that I had to buy new pants last time I was in Paris. Oops.

    I also decided to change the title of this to “reasons that Erica needs to go to Paris”

    • Reply
      edna
      April 1, 2013 at 19:05

      Agreed. So how many more of these do I have to write before you come visit?

  • Reply
    Grace of Will She Love Paris
    April 1, 2013 at 20:42

    Love this series always! Salted caramel from Carette is a winner and that I ABSOLUTELY agree :) xx

  • Reply
    Marta
    April 1, 2013 at 20:56

    I’ll be totally objective…I think the Pastel de Nata (or Lisbon’s custard cakes) are the best of this post!! Ok, so maybe I’m not being objective, I’m being portuguese!! Love this post!

    • Reply
      edna
      April 2, 2013 at 11:02

      Haha thanks Marta! and hey, at least you’re honest!

  • Reply
    Sofie
    April 2, 2013 at 12:32

    I’m so curious about macarons. They’ve been hot for quite some time now and I’ve yet to try my first…

    • Reply
      edna
      April 3, 2013 at 12:17

      To be honest, I didn’t get their appeal until I had Pierre Herme’s when I first moved to Paris. But I’ve had some pretty mediocre macarons in my time so I’d recommend trying PH or Carette to really ‘get’ it!

  • Reply
    Alex @ ifs ands & butts
    April 3, 2013 at 00:10

    I LOVE raclette – and such a fun party food, too!

    • Reply
      edna
      April 3, 2013 at 12:17

      Perfect for small intimate parties for sure! (bigger parties means more people hogging the cheese haha)

  • Reply
    Welcome Back | will she love Paris?
    April 3, 2013 at 03:25

    […] posted about the event:  Carin of Paris in Four Months, Vicky of The Golden Bun and Edna of Expat Edna so you can see what each of us thought about the […]

  • Reply
    Alana - Paper Planes
    April 3, 2013 at 08:32

    Well all this is gorgeous…and difficult to look at living in Thailand… I especially love the colors of the macarons!

    • Reply
      edna
      April 3, 2013 at 12:18

      Thanks Alana — though you could post anything about Thai food and I would say the same thing!

  • Reply
    Milsters @ Little Pieces of Light
    April 3, 2013 at 12:15

    Unfortunately, it’s still so cold that I feel like I could still eat a couple of raclettes this month…

    Milsters

    (http://www.littlepiecesoflight.com/)

    • Reply
      edna
      April 3, 2013 at 12:18

      More raclette is never a bad thing.

  • Reply
    Alexis
    April 7, 2013 at 14:50

    I LOVE your blog… I just ate at Le Petit Italien last week and also had the buratta, and the pasta was incredible! I am studied abroad in Paris and have been on a nonstop food adventure…its amazing.

    • Reply
      edna
      April 8, 2013 at 00:40

      Thanks Alexis! If you ever want to check out a new resto in Paris together, drop me a line!

  • Reply
    Kaitlin (@GAPeachAbroad)
    April 9, 2013 at 18:07

    Those macaroons look amazing! I should not have read this post while hungry!

    • Reply
      edna
      April 25, 2013 at 11:06

      Haha sorry Kaitlin!

  • Reply
    Talon
    April 12, 2013 at 07:40

    We broke our raclette cherry in Lyon, and I was an instant fan! SO good! And your last entry gave me a foodgasm.

    • Reply
      edna
      April 25, 2013 at 11:08

      Haha thanks Talon.

  • Reply
    connie
    April 16, 2013 at 08:13

    I was in heaven after tasting La Peche de Adam at Un Dimanche a Paris…I highly recommend seeking out this patisserie for this peanut dessert (which is such a rarity in French desserts)

    • Reply
      edna
      April 25, 2013 at 11:10

      Exactly! Apparently they named it for Adam, who writes Paris Patisseries and missed peanut desserts while he was on his ‘research’ trips in Paris.

  • Reply
    vietnam68
    April 17, 2013 at 10:13

    I have tried this Raclette and fell in love of it. However, i never tried the Le Petit Italien, maybe next time in Paris, i will taste it . I love Paris, Eiffen Tower, Louvre, anything in Paris .. Love to come back

    • Reply
      edna
      April 25, 2013 at 11:10

      I hope you do, and if you want more raclette make sure to come back in the winter, it’s perfect cheese melting season!

  • Reply
    Ceri
    May 15, 2013 at 21:59

    Ay dios! I’m now starving. When I go to Paris later this year, I’m re-looking up a bunch of your posts here for recommendations.

Leave a Reply