As I mentioned yesterday in my Lunch with Lynn/Under 20 Eats post, I met John Talbott last year at a press lunch. Read what he has to say about the Paris food scene.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Boston and for the most part grew up there although summering in my parents’ ancestor’s Canada, referred to by all as “God’s Country.”
When and why did you move to Paris?
It’s been a slow slide from a visitor, to frequent visitor to flat-owner to now about 80% dweller (I leave town for most of July and August.)
When did you discover your love of food?
I started cooking during World War II when my Dad went off to war and I felt the need to pitch in for breakfasts and desserts. I loved cooking in college for my humor magazine whose boozy, horsemeat, roll-throwing meals were noted by John Updike, our most notable member.
When did you start writing restaurant reviews and what are some of the publications you wrote for?
I started by typing up samizdats for my friends until the internet arrived at which point it made more sense to join it. I’ve worked for and at eGullet, Bonjour Paris, Paris by Mouth and Time Out Paris and now contribute to Chowhound.
When and why did you start your blog?
Because a dear Parisian friend kept insisting that I was wasting my time writing for others and should develop my own blog and following.
What are some of the misconceptions visitors have about restaurants and food in Paris?
Oddly enough, regarding restaurants, the views are polar opposites; There are folks who say you can’t eat poorly in Paris (“We were so tired after a day at the Louvre we just plotzed down at the first bar and it was terrific”) and those that say there’s nothing new here, the center of the food world is in Copenhagen, Catalonia or London. As for food I think some visitors still expect every meal to consist of heavy creamy sauces from the 1800’s while others think they can waltz into a meat place and get refined vegetarian food. Others think one can only eat well paying over 200 euros a meal.
What are your top five highlights and disappointments in Parisian restaurants in the last year?
My top five highlights have been the infusion of fresh new chefs cooking French-French food who hail from Japan, Brazil, Australia, etc. and my major disappointments reflect the awful emptiness of Saturday, Sunday and Monday lunches.
You are also psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry and editor in chief of the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. Please tell us more about your background.
It’s pretty dull. I went pretty lockstep thru education and training and into academic life only making one disastrous detour to Viet Nam for a year during our worthless venture there (but I met some great people and had some great food there and in Japan, Hong Kong and Bangkok).
Who are some of your favorite food bloggers and writers?
Well, I’m currently reading and enjoying John Baxter’s The Perfect Meal; and since most of the Parisian bloggers are lunch-companions and friends it would be folly to single any out.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what one, appetizer, main course, and dessert would you choose from a Parisian restaurant?
Great question: sautéed foie gras from Au Bon Coin, sweetbreads at Kigawa and right now strawberries with some rhubarb on the side.
What do you prefer about Paris?
Having lived in Manhattan for 25 years, Paris is the closest rival to it for great food, transportation, art and inhabitants. For some weird reason, I feel more comfortable in Paris than anywhere else despite my exorable French.
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