Eating Our Way Through Paris

We were delighted to have an exceptional restaurant recommendation from Alex Mony, owner of Paris Vacation Apartments, that was near our Invalides apartment and at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

The restaurant Au Bon Accueil at 14, rue de Monttessuy was a delicious find. We started the evening with a glass of bubbly. Jeanie mustered up her rusty French to ask our server for her favorites off the menu. We followed her recommendations to a T, each course paired with French wine. We started with Foie gras seared on a bed of roasted apples and caramel gingerbread served with a glass of Robert Sklly vin de pays d'oc Chardonnay. A hint of butter in the wine but lacking the strong oak flavors of the California Chardonnay that I have had. We were thrilled when our server recommended the traditional sole meuniere as her favorite on the menu. For anyone who has read Julia Child's book recently, you will understand our excitement to share her same first French meal. It was served with the slight variation of a champagne and butter sauce but gave Jeanie and I the same taste bud bursting thrill as Julia: Sole Saint Gilles Croix de Vie milling butter champagne paired with Condrieux 2008 - la petite cote.

After an enchanting, relaxing evening, we meandered over to the Eiffel Tower (just a five minute stroll from the restaurant) and were rewarded with the special Eiffel Tower twinkle.

Our morning plans were simple- procure provisions for our apartment and ensuing guests, Jocelyn Arnold, SOL's buyer, Janelle Kenny, SOL's Marketing Director, and Lara Seymore, SOL's store manager.

Rue Cler is the market street nearest our apartment. We first stopped at Davoli, 34 rue Cler, an incredible Italian deli, or Epicerie Fine Italienne. Cornichons, Caper Berries, and delightful pate filled my SOL bag.

Onto La Fromagerie at 31 rue Cler for a syrupy brie and lovely honey. Jeanie was reminded by the owner that all cheese should be paired with wine. Luckily, that was already on our agenda. Of course all good cheese needs wine and bread. Next stop, Ronde de Pains at 45 rue Cler - where we continued to fill my bag with the French essentials - pastries and bread.

No French kitchen is complete without fabulous fresh fruits and vegetables. Amazing artistic inspiration to just see fruit displayed so beautifully.

My favorite stop of the morning undoubtedly was to buy Hyacinths at Erick Fabre. 52 rue Saint Dominique. I whipped out a "Parlez-vous anglais?" and was delighted to share a wonderful conversation with the floral designer. Her artistry was breathtaking. She informed me that lilacs like tons of water and a warm room whereas hyacinths only like a small amount of water and a cool room thus I could not mix the two flowers into an arrangement. Isn't Paris Divine? My two favorite flowers, in the same place in January, and I won't see them in Colorado for another four months.

The sun broke the heavy fog and we were rewarded with this view of the Eiffel Tower as we headed to unpack our goodies.

Onto Colette and the Musee de L'Orangerie. See you tomorrow!