We spent our first morning wandering around Saint-Germain looking for a spot to have breakfast.
This place had a glassed-in outside porch
(I am a delicate flower and needed shelter from the elements) that provided optimal people watching to croissant eating ratios.
And appropriate amounts of legal stimulants.
And butter.
After breakfast we wandered through the little streets, gazing into little shop windows and speculating on the average rent in this fancy area (is the desire to know average rent for a particular area more a product of adulthood or urban living? I never used to care, but now it's like I have real-estate-specific verbal tic.)
Heaven.
We strolled over to Notre Dame and in the main plaza in front of the cathedral was a giant tent with a sign celebrating BREAD. Say no more we had to check it out.
This was right before lunch. By the way.
So we took full advantage of the plentiful samples.
Sidenote: Have you ever seen
Kings of Pastry? It is the most incredible documentary about four French pastry chefs participating in the
MOF pastry competition. It's streaming on Netflix and if you haven't seen it, you should do so immediately. You will laugh, cry, gasp in suspense - it's just a wonderful way to spend a couple hours of your life. While I often prefer a much humbler dessert than sugar sculptures and cream puffs, I was still in awe of the craftsmanship and pride in perfection that these chefs strive for.
After expanding our appreciation of the bread world, we set off to quell the hunger not quite satisfied by our numerous bread samples.
We wandered around for about an hour looking for a place to eat. The goal was to find something tucked away with a menu not in English. At last we stumbled upon Quai-Quai, a tiny wonderful restaurant with fantastic food and a great atmosphere.
And walls made out of old doors. And cool vintage lamps and chairs decorating the interior.
We didn't get dessert there but after a few more hours of walking, I started glazing over every time we passed a fruit stand.
Or candy stores. We tried some of the macaroons above and they did not disappoint.
Wanderings.
After spending the day exploring everywhere from the Louvre to the Marais, we had a late dinner at La Fontaine De Mars which is near the Eiffel Tower. Anthony found this restaurant on a shoot a few years ago and was excited to go back.
The night was chilly so we opted to wait for a table indoors
(see Delicate Flower reference above). We hung out by the register, our bodies literally pressed into the bar to allow the staff to maintain their hurried pace.
They gave us a plate of meat to snack on though, which totally appeased my rumbling stomach. The food was absolutely incredible. So incredible we went back again two days later. So incredible that even now, weeks later I am thinking about the roast chicken I had and wishing I was eating it right now for breakfast.
