It was roasting hot last month and there was very little escape from the heat besides the air conditioning in my bedroom. I had to contemplate where in the outside world I could get lunch and keep cool.
I thought of the fountain and alleyway of trees with shade underneath at the Palais Royal as a good place to start. Heading there, I remembered the three-month wait, impossible to get in new dining mecca Verjus started serving gourmet sandwiches at lunch at their teeny wine bar.
The clever lunch menu offers favorite local sandwiches from American cities including Mr. Chang’s Buns from the East Village in New York. Midnight Cuban from Seattle, Washington, and Bakesale Betty from Oakland, California. I’m a sucker anytime or anywhere for fried chicken and the Bakesale Betty had fried chicken coleslaw, and spicy mustard vinaigrette. I chose the formule, which included dessert and beverage for 15 euros.
The cute retro wrapping of the sandwich in wax paper and brown cord along with soda in a glass bottle, dessert in a white paper bag illustrated with daisies and croissants, and an aqua and white striped napkin made me want to ride a Schwinn bicycle with long streamers hanging down from the handle bars.
I found an empty green lacquered bench in the gardens of the Palais Royal and parked myself on it. I opened the sandwich and it looked puny, thinking I could eat two of these and still not be satisfied. The chicken was crispy and the coleslaw tangy. The soft, chewy bread was a relief to my molars, which constantly work overtime chewing on the traditional crusty French bread. A good-sized blueberry crumble completed the meal and I was surprisingly full considering the portion sizes.
During my time in the park, I noticed how other people were keeping cool and took some photos. Lately I have taken a departure in my photos by taking people shots, which I was never very interested in before. There was something about the movement, shapes, colors, and textures in the people in the park that day against the background of the garden. Let me know what you think of them.
Verjus Wine Bar
47 rue Montpensier, 75001
Open Monday to Friday 12:30-2:00PM
http://hkmenus.com/baravinsmenu.html
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 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 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
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
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 Charlotte's 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,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
New Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my 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.
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