Poilane Cuisine de Bar

 I stuck it out for the entire three weeks of my cleanse and did not cheat at all (except for a plain crepe on my second to last day because I was ready to pass put if I didn't eat anything and it was the only thing to eat besides a pastry at a cafe I was at with a client) - NO bread, NO chocolate, NO potatoes, NO cheese, NO pastries, NO red meat, and countless other things I can't even remember anymore that I was craving. When I complained to my doctor that I hadn't lost much weight- approximately 5 lbs. -he said to continue the same program for another SIX weeks. Talk about a KILLJOY. This is the reward I get for staying on it for three weeks- another SIX weeks. But I took matters in my own hands and decided that I was not letting my STUPID cleanse interfere with my serious, lifesaving research for Eye Prefer Paris.

My break of cleanse was joyfully broken at the new Poilane Cuisine de Bar in NORMA/the Northern Marais. Opened without much fanfare the end of July, Cuisine de Bar is described on the menu as quick food without an oven, kitchen, or chef, made in nothing more than a toaster oven. It's basically a variety of tartines served on the ever popular, delicious Poilane bread, ready to eat without a fork or knife.

The sleek, minimalist space of neutral colors of dark beige and putty has a long stone wall with bread sculptures and a retail shop selling their full line of breads, pastries, and cookies. I met my friend Pascal from www.parismarais.com for lunch. They had a formule for 13 euros consisting of a salad, tartine, and a beverage of either coffee, wine, or bottled water. Wanting to go in the complete opposite direction of my cleanse, I opted for the foie gras one which cost an extra 2.50. Pascal ordered the chicken salad. The reward of the velvety texture of the foie gras melting on the crunchy, chewy and warm toasted bread was worth every second of the uncompromising cleanse. The fresh salad of of big leaf spinach and corn kernels gave me my obligatory greens and didn't make me feel as guilty having the foie gras. Pascal liked his chunky chicken salad. Fady, our cute, genial Lebanese waiter was very helpful and expanded on the concept of the restaurant. There is a tartine du jour and other tempting tartines include sardines and vinegar, tapenade du jour, fromage blanc with country herbs, shrimp and guacamole, and smoked duck with three cheeses- parmesan, mozzarella, and Comté.( I am for sure going back for the last one). I didn't go the whole hog in breaking my cleanse and refrained from dessert, although the sweet tartine with salted butter caramel had my name written on it with capital letters. My coffee with the foam tall enough to brush my nose, came with the clever Poilane teaspoon made of the addictive shortbread cookie dough used for the punition cookies that were my Parisian Dessert of the Month last year. I gobbled it up so quickly I almost bit off my index finger.

Breakfast is also served with a choice of morning tartines served with butter and jam form 8:30AM to 11AM.

I am continuing with my cleanse but making certain survival allowances like this.

Poilane Cuisine de Bar
38 rue de Debelleyme, 75003
Metro: Filles du Calvaire
Tel. 01 44 61 83 40
Open 8:30AM to 10PM, Tuesday to Sunday

Fady

Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale

I am happy to announce the sale of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos.  I am offering 17 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my courtyards, doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.

Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Comments

[Barbara]

Hi...that is NOT what medicine refers to as a cleanse. You are simply on a diet, my dear friend.
So eating what you did was okay and losing max a pound a week is exactly right. So forget that
Some doctor told you it was"a cleanse", you got suckered in. BUT.... maybe telling you that
You were on a diet wouldn't have worked, so kudos to your Doc for making you believe that
The cleanse was what you needed. And, just for your medical info, cleansing one's body takes no more
Than two days!! But you did GOOD!! I am proud of you!

Pictures are fabulous!!! Blog is great!

[Maureen]

Love the modernity,..keep going on
Regime.

[Angela]

you are SO naughty richard!!!!
have never read a more joyful description of a meal
.well worth it!
C'mon...6 weeks will fly by.

[Cheryl]

I'll take a dozen spoons, please! Another MUST DO for the next trip!