Restaurant | Vegetarian Experiences in Paris

Tag Archive for 'restaurant'

Chez Alexandre - French cuisine by my favorite chef

Published

on September 27, 2008

in 9th Arrindissemont, French cuisine, Vegan Friendly, popular, restaurant and vegetarian-friendly

. 1 Comment

I still remember my first amazing meal in Paris. It was at a small restaurant in the Marais and I was with my friends Jim, Jean-Pierre, and Philippe. Jean-Pierre knew the chef, Jacques Brosse, and told us we were in for a treat.

I asked Jacques for a plate des legumes as a vegetarian dinner. I was given a wonderful plate of side dishes, but there was one item that I still taste when I close my eyes and remember. It was an extremely simple dish of the juiciest cherry tomatoes. I can’t tell you what Jacques did to them. I imagine he hollowed out the little guys, chopped up the tomato “meat”, mixed it with salt and herbs and filled them again. These tiny little treats absolutely blew my mind. I had no idea so much flavor could be packed into such a tiny bite.

After the main course, Jacques presented us with the molten lava cake that has become so common in expensive restaurants. This was about 14 years ago and I’d never heard of the dish. It came with a raspberry sauce and was literally to die for. We returned the next night for more of the cake.

Creative and fantastic vegetarian food

Over the years, I’ve followed Jacques as he moved from one restaurant to another. He’s made some of the best vegetarian food that I’ve ever eaten. One night, he served a special version of French Onion soup for me. It was made with red wine instead of beef stock. I still bug him for that again.

He’s also created a wide assortment of mediteranean and French cuisine. The hits keep on coming.

I just remembered a medley of about 10 wild mushrooms, the best hummus, guacamole that was far better than anything I’ve had in California…and I grew up with Avocado trees every where you look.

Chez Alexandre

So now you know how much I admire Jacques’ skills as a chef. He has a new restaurant and I stopped by today to say hello. Chez Alexandre serves traditional French cuisine in a large space a block away from Galeries Lafayette.

There is a twist, the restaurant’s main clientele are Chinese and Russian tour groups. They have a large dining room upstairs for these groups and individual diners enjoy the space downstairs.

I asked him today about the vegetarian choices at Chez Alexandre. Interestingly, a significant portion of their visitors are Buddhists, for which Jacques creates vegan dishes every night. Tonight he had reservations for 10 vegans amongst the various groups. Their main dish will be stuffed vegetables with vegan risotto and chopped vegetables.

Reservations are suggested if you’d like to try a vegan dinner. You can always request a plate des legumes and you won’t be disappointed.

While I’m one of Jacques’ loyal followers, I have not eaten at Chez Alexandre yet. I stopped by today while they were closed before dinner. I plan on returning very soon and will update this with a full review of the meal.

Menus are available in many languages. Jacques is fluent in English, French, and Chinese. If it’s slow, don’t be afraid to see if you can visit with him and say hello. Tell him Ted sent you.

Chez Alexandre: 16, rue La Fayette (9°); 01 47 70 01 91; Metro: Chausee d’Antin La Fayette, Auber, Opera; French cuisine

Pain, Vin, Fromage - a Wine and Cheese Bar

Published

Ted

on August 5, 2008

in 11th Arrindissement, Wine, bistro and cheese

. 1 Comment

Paris is filled with niche restaurants, cafes, and bars. You can find cafes that serve massages with lunch (No Stress Cafe), cafes centered around philosophy, technology (La Cantine), there was even a restaurant whose dining room was in complete darkness. Pain, Vin, Fromage is a new niche restaurant worth checking out for lacto vegetarians.

Pain, Vin, Fromage features 50 artisinal cheeses and 40 wines available by the glass or bottle. They also serve charcuterie (sausages, salamis, and other meat products). They are a new restaurant in the Marais/Republique neighborhood. It may take a little bit of searching but looks like a nice place for those that enjoy cheese and wine.

I didn’t have time to eat here the night I discovered it. However, the menu and restaurant looked interesting and unique. The prices were reasonable, the clients were happy, and the location is great. They also offer catering and group parties.

Pain, Vin, Fromage: 9 rue Crussol (11°); Metro: Oberkampf, Filles du Calvaire; 06 15 33 58 46; Restaurant

Stuart Friendly Restaurant in the Marais

Published

Ted

on June 4, 2008

in 2nd Arrindissement, Vegan Friendly, cafe, popular, salad, soup and vegetarian-friendly

. 0 Comments

How can you pass up a restaurant that bills itself as “Le premier Restaurant, Brunch, Salon de Thè non-fumeur et hètero friendly de Paris!“?

Stuart Friendly is a friendly restaurant just off of Rue Montorgueil in the Marais district. Their menu is filled with light, fresh, seasonal dishes. There are several options for the vegetarian and vegan visitor.

I didn’t have a chance to eat here the night I discovered it. However, the portions looked generous, the food looked great, and the customers looked happy and satisfied. I guess that makes for some friendly eating.

Stuart Friendly: 16, rue Marie Stuart (2°); 01 42 33 24 00; Metro: Les Halles; Restaurant

The 50 sexiest places to be fed [via Zemanta]
Eating and drinking in Paris [via Zemanta]

Foody’s soup and salad restaurant

Published

Ted

on May 24, 2008

in 1st Arrindissemont, Meat Eating Friends, cafe and salad

. 6 Comments

There’s a small street at the heart of Paris that has captured the “heart” of the city. Rue Montorgueil is a pedestrian friendly street behind Église de Saint-Eustache and Chatalet - Les Halles. It’s perhaps best known by Monet’s painting of a festival on June 30, 1878 to celebrate the end of the World’s Fair.

This street is home to the oldest pâtissier in Paris: La Maison Stohrer; creator of the Baba au Rhum. It’s also home to several famous and memorable restaurants, cafes, gelato stands, and much more. Needless to say, there’s some stiff competition in this area for restaurants.

Foody’s Salad Bar

Foody’s Salad Bar is a simple, comfortable restaurant that has found it’s calling amongst the more classical and/or tourist restaurants. It’s menu is simple, the food is fresh, the atmosphere is comfortable and unrushed.

I stopped by on a Saturday afternoon and grabbed a bowl of vegetable soup and a much needed coffee. There were several small families enjoying the outdoor tables. The service is pretty simple, you walk in, grab a tray and start creating a salad. There’s also a small pasta bar and soup is available at the counter. You can also get sodas, juices, coffee, and more.

First off, coffee is not their specialty. It was hot, caffeinated, and hit the spot. But I wouldn’t go here for coffee as a rule. They do, however have a house specialty of hot chocolate that should be good.

More importantly, the soup was very good. It was a roughly pureed soup of market vegetables served in a large bowl. It was flavorful and satisfying. They also had a Tomato soup and a Gezpacho with tomato and basil. They cost only 4.50 euros.

The salad bar features a variety of fresh vegetables and prepared salads. You can choose either a small (5.50 Euros) or large (7 Euros) plate to fill. The pasta bar is also quite affordable.

I didn’t see any meat on the menu, although there may have been some tuna on the salad bar. This shouldn’t deter your Meat Eating Friends. This restaurant has more than enough variety to satisfy anyones cravings.

Foody’s also sits next to Naturalia, an organic store, an organic sandwich shop, and a juice bar. I guess you could call this section of the street “the heart of veggies in the heart of the city on the street that captures the heart of the city”. All in all, it’s good for the cœur.

Foody’s: 26, rue Montorgueil (1°); 01 40 13 02 53; Metro: Les Halles; Soup and Salad cafe

Overall: 4.5/5
Location: 5/5
Taste: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Vegetarian Friendly: 5/5
Vegan Friendly: 5/5
M.E.F. Friendly: 4/5

Eating and drinking in Paris [via Zemanta]
Paris travel guide: bars and nightlife [via Zemanta]
Dinner Salads: Inspiration [via Zemanta]
Restaurants: Humble Spots, Simple Pleasures [via Zemanta]
Eurostar: Paris’ food markets [via Zemanta]

Chez Lili et Marcel - A great salad in Paris

Published

Ted

on May 4, 2008

in 13th Arrindissement, popular, restaurant and salad

. 0 Comments

Chez Lili et Marcel is the sister restaurant to Chez Prosper and Cafe Panis. Both are popular restaurants that serve classic French cuisine. The portions are large, the staff is friendly, and the value is great.

Chez Lili et Marcel is located next to Metro: Quai de la Gare, a stone’s throw to the Seine. It’s a very convenient location in the 13th arrindissemont. Unlike Chez Prosper, Lili et Marcel is quiet, comfortable, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy your meal.

Vegetarian options

To quote Henry Ford: you have a great choice of meals. There’s the salad Marceillaise and the salad Marceillaise. Yes, there’s really only one vegetarian dish and no vegan dishes. However, this salad is wonderful.

It features a layer of greens, tomatoes and cucumbers. On top is a layer of sauteed potatoes and then a tartine with thinly sliced pears, honey, and cheese. It’s a hearty meal for about 12 euros.

I visit Lili et Marcel often. It’s a great place to meet friends when you actually want to hear each other. Parking is fairly easy to find at night. It’s great for your meat eating friends, but not so great for your vegan friends.

Chez Lili et Marcel: 1, Quai d’Austerlitz (13°); 08 26 10 09 17; Metro: Quai de la Gare; French Restaurant

Overall: 3.5/5
Location: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Vegetarian Friendly: 2/5
Vegan Friendly: 1/5
M.E.F. Friendly: 5/5

Vegetarian Experiences in Paris

Tag Archive for 'restaurant'