While in Paris, eating is a must. It's a city known for its food. Some of the best places are tucked into the side streets and local squares. The photo below is in the Latin Quarter, but this post is about a pizza place in the Marais. Both districts are rich with eating places.
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| Choosing a cafe in Paris, by DG Hudson |
We landed at CDG airport in Paris, France, early on a Monday morning, the day after leaving Vancouver, British Columbia. Still tired from an overnight flight, we slept a couple of hours to recharge. At seven or eight in the evening, we set out to explore the Marais neighborhood near the Hotel de Ville and to find a local restaurant.
Many of the bistros were either closed or didn't offer food service on Mondays. Pizza Sant'Antonio, the third cafe we tried, was open. A photo of the restaurant is at the first link below. The aromas that wafted out smelled alluring and we were greeted warmly. After showing us to our bistro table, we ordered our wine with water on the side. Diluting the effects makes it easier to walk after your meal. Our friendly waiter helped us translate as we ordered, as I wanted tap water, not bottled. Our servers were very polite and attentive. A lovely way to start our trip. (I have drunk the water of Paris and am now one of those who are forever called back to the city. No, not like zombies. . .)
I ordered French style scallops over rice with a herb sauce. Hubs ordered grilled salmon and frites. With two coffees after the meal, plus tip, our bill was about 44 Euros in the autumn (high season) when we visited. This was the first of three meals we had at the Pizza Sant'Antonio and only one was pizza. In the photo below, another side street restaurant beckons you inside.
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| A Montmartre street, restaurant on the right by DG Hudson |
A first impression can shape how we feel about a place. This pizza place, Sant'Antonio's and a few other bistros welcomed us to Paris and showed us the French warmth that surfaces when you share their food. We avoided the well-known tourist places, opting instead for the small cafes we searched out on our evening walks, where you sit cozily by your neighbor, with each respecting the other's privacy as you enjoy homestyle French cooking or sample a pizza.
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Are you a pizza fan? Do you have any first impressions of a place (city, restaurant, beach, etc) that firmly cemented it in your mind as a place you would remember? Please share in the comments below, and I'll respond.
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References:
The Pizza Place:
http://www.qype.fr/place/107881-Pizza-SantAntonio-Paris A favourite in the Marais, Pizza Sant'Antonio, Paris, on the far right. This link shows a wide angle shot of the restaurants on one side of the square. Nice neighborhood for walking, quiet at night.
http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/pizza-in-paris-where-to-find-paris-best-pizza-pie.html A review about the Pizza Sant'Antonio, Paris.
Previous post that mentioned this great Pizza Place: (see 'Paris Posts' tab)
http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2011/10/paris-bistros-and-sidewalk-cafes-of.html
