I thought it would be a good idea to try out the café/salon de thé where my photos hang as a gesture of good will and support. Also, I heard the food was good.
I attempted to go last Thursday without a reservation, thinking they probably didn’t take reservations at a café. I was dead wrong. I arrived with a group of friends at 12:15 thinking we would just sit, but was told they were full and I had to reserve in advance.
I made a reservation for Monday and we arrived at 12:15. The café was mostly empty but filled up quickly. The chalkboard menu had many pleasing choices and Lynn and I simultaneously decided on the chicken tagine with lemon confit, prunes, and cous cous. Other choices including swordfish, calves liver, and salmon with lentils looked swell too.
We ordered a starter salad to share of avocado, shrimp, asparagus, lettuce and tomatoes. It was quite a hefty portion for only 9.50 euros and would have easily been a main course salad. The only complaint was the canned or jarred asparagus, otherwise it was refreshing and light.
The tagine came out on a rectangular plate overflowing with brown gravy. Interestingly the tagine had mostly white meat in it, since most of the time it comes with a leg. The meat was a little on the dry side but I doused it in the succulent citrus tinged sweet sauce that I couldn’t get enough of. The semoule/cous cous was moist and didn’t stick together. During the meal I kept looking up at my photos and how good they looked against the purple sponge washed walls with the plush deep red banquettes underneath. We were too stuffed to have dessert and having the prunes and sweet sauce was already like having dessert. Our plats were only 13.50, so it was only 18 euros a piece for this delicious and well-portioned lunch.
There is also a takeout restaurant next door with salads, sandwiches, and heavenly homemade desserts.
I can see why I need reservations: Good solid food with more than ample portions at more than reasonable prices, friendly service, relaxed atmosphere and best of all, great art on the walls.
Café Petit Luxe
29 rue Vaugirard, 75006
Metro: St. Sulpice
Open Monday-Friday 8:30AM-9:30PM,Saturday 8:30AM-6PM
My photos will be up till November 3.
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.
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
