Paris Food Truck: Le Camion Qui Fume

As Americans most of us are familiar with the idea of really good food being served from a truck. It is a fairly new idea but it really caught on in America and the companies have done pretty well. In France, this is a completely new, foreign idea. 

Now there are two Americans (Californians to be exact) who are shaking up the food scene here in Paris and they have really begun to win over the Parisians. The two food trucks are Le Camion qui Fume (burgers and fries) and the Cantine California (burgers, tacos (!!) and cupcakes)

Last week I waited in line in the FREEZING cold (lets talk waiting 40 minutes in 35 degrees and windy) to try Le Camion Qui Fume for the first time. It was worth the wait. This is only the second burger I'v had since I've been in Paris but it tasted like home. It might be even better than burgers you find in the US. 

With incredibly fresh French ingredients, the meat, cheese and even the freshly baked brioche bun all come together for a mouth watering taste of America and guess what? The French are loving it! 

Please forgive me for the terrible iPhone photos. I could barely get the courage to take my hands out of my gloves to snap the picture at all! 

To find their schedule check their website or follow them on twitter. Next up is the Cantine California. Check out this video about them in the NY Times!

Do you love food trucks? Have you tried any in your city??

 oh so attractive, we are.

Paris: Coffee Shops

I am a coffee lover. I could have multiple cappuccinos and lattes everyday and that would make me one happy girl. Before moving to Paris I had heard and read horror stories about the lack of good coffee here. People made it sound like I would be doomed to a life of terrible, bitter coffee for the year with no escape.

Well, to their credit - they are somewhat correct. Your average cafe offers up Cafe Richard's coffee which is definitely not good or exciting but it isn't the worst thing ever if you are in need of some caffeine or just don't particularly care how your coffee tastes.

Needless to say I have gone out of my way to try and find a good cup of jo in this town. I have had a few good ones here and there but I have named my favorite. Luckily for me, this shop is on the same street that I work on so I get to enjoy it anytime I want!

The employees there probably think I'm mental because they see my English speaking face at least twice (and sometimes more) a week. They are such a nice and pleasant group of people. I love this Aussie founded coffee shop because their coffee is hands down the best I have had in Paris and their lunch options are just as delicious. 

Pick from sandwiches stuffed with quality ingredients like avocado, sun dried tomatoes and smoked salmon or pick up a piece of banana bread to go with your drink. They even offer fresh squeezed juices of all kinds! Hang out in the cafe and join the rest of the crowd working on their laptops and chatting with friends out on the street side. 

Rue des Martyrs is an amazing little market street with so many options for lunch but Kooka Boora is always by go to. I will miss this place when I have to leave. Stop in the next time you are in Paris!

Kooka Boora Cafe
53 ave Trudaine
75009 Paris

Paris Wine Bar: Avant Comptoir

Avant Comptoir is a gem of Paris. It is one extremely small place but is huge on atmosphere and deliciousness! There is a big mix of locals (Frenchies and expats) and tourists in the know (like you!) who cozy up next to the bar and each other for a glass of wine and some really great appetizers and crepes.

With standing room only it gets pretty crowded so try to go early. A lot of people stop in here before having dinner at their restaurant next door. I recommend the foie gras and making sure you get in on their communal bread basket and Bordier butter. On my last visit I discovered how great cheese and JAM are together. Who knew??

 If you are there for food make sure to look up! The menu is on the ceiling.

Location:
3 Carrefour de l’Odéon, 75006
Metro: Odeon
Open every day

Please excuse my exhausted looking eyes in this photo. This was the end of three weeks of visitors! I barely made it! (but always worth the lack of sleep!)

Dinner at Benoit

Who knew that Paris had restaurant week? "Tous au restaurant" is the French version and I am so happy that my friend told me about it in time to make a reservation at one of the city's oldest bistros. Benoit has been serving great French food since 1912 as a family restaurant until they passed it onto the world renowned chef Alain Ducasse in 2005 and he promised to stay true to their traditions while bringing Benoit into its future.

As you walk in you are taken back in time to an older Paris. It is beautiful, warm and cozy with the most amazing china I've ever seen. The service was lovely (rare in Paris!) and every single thing we ate was perfect. That includes the massive slab of butter that we devoured completely. We have no shame!

Thank goodness for the two for one prices during this special week because otherwise my poor little self would not have got to experience such a great and classically French meal in this city. Mmm, I love Paris!

Quarter Century Club

I am officially a member. Yesterday was my 25th birthday! Eek, seems like a big scary number. I remember when I was younger and I thought I was going to have all my shizz together by this age. Nobody tells you that those chances are slim. I thought I would be in a stable, steady job making enough money to pretend I am a real adult but lets be honest, that is not where I am right now.

Where I am is SO much better than that. Of course I still think about settling down and making a living but I could not be more happy about where my life has led me up to this point. I mean, how many people get to do what I am doing? Live abroad in a beautiful city to pursue their dreams? Have so many friends and family come and explore Paris with me? Have found the love of my life and irreplaceable friendships? My life is pretty dang good if you ask me. So, as scary as 25 might sound I think it will be another incredible year. I'm excited to see what comes my way and embracing all that life is!

The best part of my whole birthday was seeing one of my BEST friends! Erin and I have been PIC's since she rushed Gamma Phi in 2006 and the love/obsession was made public during big/little week and we've been having a blast ever since. She just recently moved to Madrid to teach English and lives with her little/my grandlittle and they are living the dream over there. I can't wait to (hopefully) go to see their home next month!

Erin stayed all weekend and her face definitely made me cry when I saw her. I am so lucky to have her in my life. Not only is she a great friend but she is an inspiration and has taught me a lot about life, happiness and friendship. Thank you for being so amazing little!

To celebrate we got all our Paris friends together for dinner at a local Argentinean restaurant for empanadas and ice cream. It was great to finally have everyone together again.

Thank you to everyone who helped me celebrate and wished me happy birthday! You are all amazing and I'm so glad to have you in my life!

Merci beaucoup! 

PS- Old age is taking its toll. I am now sick in bed with a fever and the works! Worth it though. But the recipe for this tart will be coming soon! xo

when you get lost

sometimes you find some really great things. I went out for a run last week and just went without a plan. Took a turn when it felt right and tried to remember how I should get back when I was ready (if you know me, then you are scared for me right now!). I have a terrible sense of direction but don't worry this worked out just fine. 

My random run led me to find some beautiful little places around the Bastille area. A promenade perfect for running and a charming little park under a bridge that I want to spend some time in.

I could live here forever and never see this entire city. Its incredible!

Clearly, I got a really good run in since I was stopping every 5 seconds to take a photo. Oops.

Best of Paris: Rose Bakery

As you already know, Paris is full of food. Cusine is oozing out of this city like nobody's business. People think that every restaurant in Paris is going to be a revelation to your taste buds but to be honest, that is definitely not the case. Most cafes and brasseries have similar menus and if you are just looking for a croque monsieur or boeuf tartare then you are usually safe just popping into the corner cafe but if you are looking for something special then you need to do some research.

One of my favorite places is a little cafe called Rose Bakery. It was opened by a Franco-British couple and everyone - Parisians and tourists - have developed a huge love for it. They offer a cool, relaxing atmosphere and really great, healthy food. They always have different quiches, cakes and salads to choose from. Not leafy green salads but things like risotto with roasted squash, peppers and cheese or a salad of perfectly roasted vegetables. I have never had anything that I didn't love which is good because it can be a little bit pricey.

Lucky me, I have Rose Bakery at my disposal every single day because their 1st shop is located on the same street that I work on and their 2nd shop is located directly across from my apartment. I can see it from my window! I haven't made it over there for weekend brunch yet but I am thinking its a good spot to put on the list when my friends come to visit in a few weeks.

Next time you are in Paris, pop into Rose Bakery - you won't regret it!