notch in the belt

Breakfast, I usually do not eat breakfast, but this French expression I could not pass on. Focusing less on: bacon, eggs, and toast we turned to coffee, baguette and croissants. With a twist on condiments that did not include: mixed-berry jam or Country Crock butter there was something better! We were offered butter that tasted as if it could warm your heart, apricot jam sweet enough to make you pucker and little packets of nutella that paired perfectly with cafe latte. The croissants were so butter and flakey, just slightly undone inside, mouth watering...

Lunch, Americans usually use lunch as a break from work. Or they grab a quick bite at the drive through. When our group had a lunch break and wanted to sit at a restaurant I quickly deferred. Knowing that Europeans in general take their time to eat, getting a meal at a restaurant was going to take at least an hour, maybe more. So grabbing some pomme frites-french fries, or a crepe was going to be our best bet. The pomme frites better known as the “fruit of the earth,” were incomparable to American french fries. Parisians usually opt for mayonnaise instead of catsup. Mayonnaise will usually make a health conscious American quiver. This mayonnaise is not greasy or heavy. This mayonnaise it fluffy, light and citrusy. I even bought a jar to take home with me, and I usually do not prefer mayonnaise on anything!

Would you like a crepe? One of France’s most famous crepes’ is crepes’ suzette. A thin pancake beautifully folded, topped with Grand Mariner and set on fire. A typical french dessert. Carts around the city provide a quick crepe fix with many filling options. For the sweet tooth: nutella, nutella and bananas, Grand Mariner and strawberries etc. For the savory: cheese, ham and cheese, egg and cheese etc. There are many options for the busy American tourist. Other quick options include; homemade quiche, pizza, tarts, painnis and all the fresh bread you could ever imagine. The French sure know what their doing when it comes to food. Walk it off by avoiding the metro, navigating your map and taking in the beauty of the city. After walking all those carbs and calories off, I sure was ready for a classic French dinner...