Le Coude a Coude, Rue Saint-Honore, Les Halles, Paris

Posted on September 4, 2012 by bakingmehungry

After reading The New York Times article Save or Splurge Paris, we sought out Le Coude a Coude on Rue Saint-Honore at Les Halles. This Paris brasserie means “elbow to elbow.” The ceiling walls were lined with chalk slates and the tables covered with red and white checkerboard table cloths.

We decided to go for the prix fixe lunch specials for 12 euros which include une salade and un entree plat. We split a salade normande museau vinaigrette, the Escalope normande avec tagliatelle and le poisson avec riz.

The bread from a next door bakery was perfectly crusty and tender on the inside. We could have eaten the entire basket.

The tagliatelle with cream sauce and mushrooms and chicken cutlet was nicely al dente. The chicken was tender, it was just that the potion was quite generous and creamy sauce was quite rich.

The white fish was nicely tender and we pushed up some of the lemony cream sauce off the fish and onto the rice. After desaucing, we enjoyed the plain fish with a squeeze of lemon and a bit of rice. Again, the plate was a generous portion and we only could finish half.

The meals were great value for money, but we should have ordered the plate of Auvergnat charcuterie for 14 euros, and a glass of Côte du Rhône for 3 euros. Perhaps, next time.

Notre Dame Cathedral and Concert at Saint Chapelle, Paris

Posted on September 4, 2012 by bakingmehungry

As children, we loved reading Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame. We have to visit Notre Dame Cathedral and visit inside. The votive candles and colors from the stained glass were magical. Next time, we’ll have to climb the stairs.

We jumped at the opportunity to attend a concert at Saint Chapelle one evening, which was truly a unique experience. Pachabel’s Canon and Vivaldi were played. The stained glass in Saint Chapelle is unlike any interior we have seen. The violinists were entertaining and really whisked us to a different world full of light and sound.

BakingMeHungry in Paris, Oui Paris!

Posted on September 4, 2012 by bakingmehungry

Je t’aime Paris. La Seine River, museums, art, monuments and overall ambiance. The locks, the cobbles, croque madames, cafes and seafood were lovely too.

It was a complete indulgence to observe the Parisian attitude and philosophy of relaxation in its various forms. The pace made us less frenetic and the city forced us to taking Paris. As we wandered along La Seine, I would hum Carla Bruni’s version of You Belong To Me.

We spent several hours at the outdoor cafes and indoor tea salons. We had a loose schedule, but let the day and the city decide what would happen next. What about all luscious the pate, crispy crepes, stinky and cremay cheese, crusty baguettes, shortbread and fruit tartelettes and flakey croissants we consumed? Mais oui.