From Paris with Love

It has been a little over a week since the Chef and I renewed our vows. I have no idea where to start when it comes to talking or writing about this whole experience, because it was all a little overwhelming. 

I had not told him about the priest coming to the house to bless our marriage and our family. He knew our friends and family were coming over and that was enough. When the priest arrived, he just went with the flow, all low key, a little teary and all, well, perfect. 

I caved and told him about Paris on Sunday evening. I could not keep it a secret any longer. Needless to say, he was thrilled to bits.

I have had a really hard time collecting my thoughts in order to put words with my photos. Visiting Paris with my handsome Chef was kind of like being with 'Jack unleashed in a sweet shop'. He grabbed one of his past issues of his favourite rag 'The Art of Eating - Paris (again)' and lined up a few places on a MAP! Seriously, he (the luddite that he is) sat down on Sunday evening with a map of Paris. He drew and he dotted each little restaurant and bakery and delicatessen that he wanted to visit. By the time he hit the streets of Paris, he knew exactly where he wanted to go and how to get there (well kind of - thank God for GPS on my iPhone).

Of course, the first stop had to be at a knife shop. (When in Paris?). This is not the first time we have bought a knife when on holidays. As we strolled through the streets making our way to the shop, we both commented on how 'everyone in Paris still smokes'. It was kind of nasty actually.

Thankfully, the have passed a law where you are not allowed to smoke inside! So, here we are bright and early on our first day in Paris in this cavernous knife shop and immediately we are transported back in time. Since 1820 E.Dehillerin has been supplying the parisians with everything they need for their kitchens. I reckon Julia Child probably walked these aisles looking for a few items too. 

Of course, the Chef saw a million and one things that he HAD-TO-HAVE, but thankfully did not want to carry all over the city, and we spent quite a bit of time just meandering around and poking about in all the little cubby holes.

Some items were quite large and even a little intimidating to the seasoned Chef!

Totally exhausted were we after all that shopping, so we got a recommendation from the Knife-shop-man-from-india as to where one might enjoy a lovely lunch. Steering us away from the touristy spots and telling us to let them now 'he' sent us, we plopped down in a tiny little corridor-style restaurant and started to feel like we were on holidays. You could not spend more than €6 on a bottle of wine. Even if you wanted to.

It did not matter what you were hungry for, because every single meal that flew out of the fridge-size kitchen looked so appetizing we were slobbering all over our plates by the time ours arrived.

Although he is a gourmet-for-life-kinda-guy, there is nothing quite as pleasing as a plain old ham n'cheese toastie for lunch. Of course, this was a little more than just a plain old toasted sandwich. He did not even offer me a bite to taste!

I went all the way to Paris to order the tartare. Yes, raw meat for me. I love it. I would eat it every day if the chef would make it for me. It was perfect. Spicy and savoury and very, very fresh.

Of course, the next stop had to be at one of the best bakery's in Paris. (He had a list of at least TEN-BEST-BAKERY'S in PARIS). Picking up a few croissants for later, he made a mental note (I pin dropped the location) as to 'how we might find' the bakery the next day so we could get a baguette and lunch al fresco.

Although I am certain that all the bakery's in Paris are amazing, I can confirm that the few we visited were the 'dean and deluca' of the bunch. Top notch quality and shockingly all priced right!

Of course, when in Paris, one can't help but take notice of things like how fashionable the street sweepers are as they sweep the sidewalks with their silicone sweepers - all colour coordinated! 

We walked everywhere for three long days. I choose sensible footwear knowing we would be hoofing it most of the time. The Chef choose to wear his cowboy boots and cried like a girl each night as he nursed his blistered toes.

This was as close as we go to all the sight-seeing people might do. We stayed on Saint Louis en isle - a teeny tiny quiet island plopped dead in the middle of the city. Quiet that is until Notre Dame, who is on the adjoining Island, let's her bells toll. Funny, but that is a sound that would never annoy you.

There are no photos from the inside of a few stores because they waved away my camera lens as we entered the shops so I assume they do not want publicity for all their goodies. 

Of course, that did not stop us from shopping!

All in all the Chef and I and a fantastic little mini-break. We were fortunate that Granny, my cousin Jamie and my BFF from college (Becca) held down the fort for us and everyone was still alive when we got home!

So, now that we know we can 'get away' for a few nights, how about London or Rome for the next little getaway! Who's with me?

Those are all the WiseWords I have for this evening,

WiseMóna

(for those of you on Facebook - I have finally uploaded all the photos!)