Comfort Food

I call myself a mutt!! What does a mutt eat for comfort?

Wahahahahaha. Ok! Let me explain myself.

I am Chinese decent; full 100% Chinese, but I can not read or write Chinese. I recognize maybe 10 words in Chinese. I was born and raised in Thailand, but educated in the American school system, English is my first language, and the majority of my friends all speak English. For the last 10 years, I lived in Los Angeles and English is my mother tongue. Oh, and I currently live in Paris and learning to speak French. So, when people ask me where I'm from? I give them this confused look and attempt to go on with explaining my life. Whew! That was long just blogging about it.

Anyways, what do I eat? What do I reach for when I'm sick? What do I want when it's cold? I'm Asain and I still prefer to eat Asian food on a daily basis; Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Indian. But, my comfort food is wholesome Chinese food. Not the take out you find at fast food joint around Paris.

When in Paris, I like to go to the 13th and grab noodles from Hoa Hoa; they are cheap and opened to 2 AM. The only problem is trying to find transportation back after a late rendez-vous. Hoa Hoa serves "tae chiew" style noodles, some Vietnamese fare, but majority is Cantonese style Chinese. According to my brother Bernard, this joint also serves up one of the best roast ducks he's had; and my cousin Erica think their noodle are better than the one in Los Angeles.

Whatever this place is doing, they are doing it right!!!

For late supper, come out to the 13th.

Le Relais Gascon

Dedicating this post to Pooja and Martin, who happened to stumble upon it one summer day in Paris. Le Relais Gascon, a little place up in the 18^th arrondisement, by Montmarte and Saceour, serves cuisine du sud-ouest (aks South-Western French fare).

The French do things differently, or is it the other way around? I'm biased, but who isn't? Because I'm from America and Thailand, I am biased to think that things should be done the "American or Thai" way. Well, the French way works for me too. So, my question is, How do you make salad more appetizing?....by adding a heap of garlic fried potatoes like they do at Le Relais Gascon.

Salads in Paris are not drenched with thick salad dressing and they often come with the addition of potatoes; fried or boiled, but I prefer the fried ones. At Le Relais Gascon, all their salads comes with fresh garlic fried potatoes and a cream-base dressing, but they are so light that you forget it’s made with cream, or that’s what I think. Another French addition I have come to enjoy is adding fried eggs, sunny-side-up, to the salads. There are nine choices of salads to choose from, with toppings ranging from cheese, tomatoes, olives, ham, tuna, chicken, salmon, foie gras, gizzards, etc. If you are not into salads like my dear friend Henry, or in need of some real dose of meat, other options are available too....

Onion Soup

• Onion Soup
• Poulet Roti (roast chicken)
• Confit de Canard (duck)
• Boeuf Bourguignon (beef stew)
• Cassoulet (Duck and sausage casserole)

Avocado and Prawns

So, when in Montmarte, for a healthy dose of greens, try to make it to Le Relais Gascon, you will not be disappointed. They are opened everyday, all day.

Until next time...

Caio

PS. Also dedicating this post to Jenny and Wan

Le Relais Gascon

6 rue des Abbesses, 75018

Tel: 01 42 58 58 22

Metro: Abbesses or Pigalle

13, rue Joseph de Maistre, 75018

Tel: 01 42 52 11 11

Metro: Abbesses or Blanche

Open everyday from 10 AM to 2 AM