Out on a lamb

 

 

 

The confit d'agneau arrived topped with flaming thyme sprigs.

 

Chez L'Ami Jean

27 rue Malar 75007

 

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My 5 favorite bistrots

 

June newsletter 

 

Tasting Tuesday

 

 

A very special evening with very special friends.

 

 💕

 

 Paris dining can be a gamble - even at revered Michelin-starred spots where atmosphere and reputation sometimes mask uneven execution. Their clientele, often made up of passing tourists, mostly from the U.S. and drawn in by rave reviews, can leave feeling shortchanged and unlikely to return. When complaints surface, the response is often swift but superficial: a polished, formulaic apology (typically in French - “Nous sommes désolés pour votre expérience, nous espérons vous revoir bientôt”) - followed by a bit of digital stagecraft. Suddenly, pristine photos of the very dishes in question appear online, looking nothing like what arrived at the table - or what showed up as an Instagram video when a celebrity chef just happened to have stopped by - paired with a fresh wave of glowing reviews ready to lure the next round of hopeful diners. - BPJ
 
May newsletter: Spotting the right spots

 

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“If you have two stars or three stars in Michelin then you have a duty to your customers to be behind your stove. I was always behind my stove for every single service because that’s what you’re paying for. Why would I want to go to a three-star Michelin and the chef whose name is above the door is in America? I’m not paying for his sous-chefs. I want the individual. It’s as simple as that.” Marco Pierre White 

 

Thoughtful Thursday

 

Food for thought.

 

Above: this Salade Nordique happens to be loaded with "brain-friendly" ingredients

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For years, even the most modest cafés and bistros in Paris have been (unwittingly) serving up brain-boosting salads. Who hasn’t sat down expecting to see at least one of these in the usual lineup - Salade Niçoise, Salade de Chèvre Chaud, Assiette de Crudités, Salade Lyonnaise, or fatty fish variations - on the menu. Each of these salad classics rely on fresh, minimally processed ingredients and a simple olive-oil-based dressing, the very core of Mediterranean-style eating long associated with better brain (and heart) health.

With cognitive decline soaring worldwide and the use of trendy "smart drugs" on the rise - though studies are now showing they might be riskier than believed as they appear to work at first but may backfire with long-term use (6 months or more) - many are trading in their meds/supplements for mindful (pun intended) meals. - BPJ

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What makes the above salad "brain-supportive": 

Smoked salmon (the "Nordic" element) - reduces neuroinflammation, improves blood flow to the brain, rich in omega-3 fatty acids which build and protect neuronal membranes. Linked to better memory and slower progression of cognitive issues

Avocado - provides monounsaturated fats and lutein to enhance cerebral blood flow, support neural efficiency and help combat oxidative stress

Poached egg - delivers high-quality complete protein, choline for vascular and neural support plus lutein and zeaxanthin to combat oxidative stress and promote healthy blood flow with zero added fats or oils 

Leafy greens / mixed raw veggies (base w/cucumber, beetroot, more) - packed with folate, vitamin K, lutein, and antioxidants

Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower etc. scattered generously) - supply magnesium, zinc, iron, vitamin E and key minerals and antioxidants that protect brain cells from damage

Fresh herbs and a light olive oil dressing - add anti-inflammatory polyphenols and healthy fats for better nutrient absorption

Bon Appétit!

Table Tuesday

A solitary sugar dispenser on a bistro table.

Window Wednesday

A small bistro's plats du jour written on the window.

 

 

 

Table Tuesday

Tables at a corner bistrot patiently await lunch customers.

 

Wine Wednesday

 

 

A basket of corks outside a bistro.

Floral Friday

 

A flowery interlude at a Montmartre café.

 

Wine Wednesday

 Tchin! ... To spring weather on its way.

 - Merci LP for permission to use your hand! 😘 -

Wine Wednesday

 Preparing the wine list for the day.

 

Wine Wednesday

 

Wines lined up at a wine restaurant where the food was guaranteed to be worth the detour (to the 11th arrondissement). And it was.

- Tomorrow: a grand cru -

 

Bistronomy

Bistro + economy:
The rapport qualité-prix at this popular relative newcomer near the butte (see post A bouillon in Pigalle) is one of the best in the city.

Above: leeks vinaigrette with crushed hazelnuts entrée; bistro staple Boeuf Bourguignon on bed of coquillettes; thinly-sliced rare roast beef frites maison for lunch


Below: packed every night

Bouillon Pigalle
22 Boulevard de Clichy 75018

- No reservations -
Service continu from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.  every day