The Paris By Mouth food tour of the Marais was an excellent way to spend the day. Our guide, an American named Katherine who now lives in Paris writing about food, took us to her favourite food spots in the Marais, a diverse area of town, and also introduced us to some Parisian food basics.
Starting out at an award winning baker and possibly the best Croissant in the history of the universe, then wandering out to a fancy boutique sweet shop where the mint chocolate tasted like actual mint leaves – outta control delicious.
Popped into a spice shop and bought Mick/Dad/Papa Bezzina a little gift (warning: it is not a spice) then wove through bustling markets where Katherine bought some meats and “in season” cheeses from some local stores who clearly knew their shit. These were the sorts of store we would normally be too intimidated to buy from, so Katherine breaking the ice for us has suddenly made buying food in Paris a lot easier.
Settling in a bar that focussed on boxed wine (yep!) we feasted. Today has ruined cheese for me forever. Incredible Brie, some super delicious hard cheeses, and a blue cheese that I wanted to offer matrimonial vows to. A duck spread was also a bit of a highlight for me. The tour group was very small, 3 other Australians and 2 Americans, so it felt totally intimate and special.
We also happened to be in the Marais on the same day as a huge antique market, so we wandered there for ages, Marthese lamenting the fact we couldn’t take home all the 60’s furniture. We then took a stroll down to Place de Vosges, a fancy area not too far from the Marais, but with a much more high-class feel. Once we’d walked enough to feel we’d worked off a fraction of the cheese, we went home.
From this day forward I dream of blue cheese.
Elias Rambles 