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

Qui Parle??

When in Paris, brunch like the Parisians....

I stumbled upon Le Cafe Qui Parle on my way to visit patiserie Arnaud Larher in the 18th (Montmatre); it was a Sunday and the restaurant had a long line of people. I am always really curious when a restaurant can draw a crowd and make people want to wait for a table. So, one sunny Sunday morning, me and Neha, a friend of a friend of a friend, had brunch there. On this given Sunday, we waited about 30 minutes for a table, but to avoid the crowds, please come early; around 11:30 AM or after 3 PM. Another trick I learned living in Paris is to come in small groups no more than 4, but even that doesn't work sometimes.

So, what do Parisians have for brunch? For starters, when it comes to food, the French go all out. A usual brunch fair will include:

- fruit juice

- coffee, tea, or hot chocolate

- all you can eat baguette with confisture (jam) and sometimes nutella

- croissant or pain chocolat (chocolate croissant)

- green salad

- cheese

- charcuterie (cold cuts)

- cured or smoke salmon

- eggs

- yoghurt, usually plain

- granola

Oh and the scrumptious full fat BUTTER!! Please refrain from asking for fake butter.

Pubic Anoucement....

"When in France, please enjoy the butter."

@ Cafe Le Qui Parle, you will be are greeted with a friendly staff and a glass of orange juice. For 17.50€ you will get All-You-Can-Eat Brunch; and salad with a variety of cheese, a variety of charcuterie, or a combination of cheese and charcuterie.

The perfect ending to your brunch should be a cup of steaming hot chocolate or tea. So, sit down, enjoy your meal and your company.

Caio.

Le Cafe Qui Parle

24, rue Caulaincourt

75018 Paris