Just came back from a short shopping spree in Paris with friend M. We stayed in Hotel Vieux Marais in of course Le Marais, formerly the Jewish area of Paris. There are still a lot of Jewish shops, restaurants etc around but the designer shops and hip restaurants and bars have definitely taken over the neighbourhood. Le Marais, also known as the gay area of Paris, because most of the shops and restaurants are gay owned or at least gay friendly, or should I say hetero-friendly! After all that shopping we needed some good food and refreshing wines to cool down. Temperatures were ridiculous, around 35 degrees and the humidity went through the roof!
At our hotel Vieux Marais, the owner's 12-year old dog is snoring away like an old cowboy on her Louis Quatorze arm chair.
In the morning we went around the corner to Chez Camille for breakfast. This is our favorite breakfast place in Paris because they have great omelettes and the staff is always friendly and attentive. Which is not so common as one thinks in this part of the world.
Freshly squeezed orange juice and double espresso's Chez Camille.
My very tasty omelette au jambon. Why do I always have to think of Julia Childs every time I see or eat an omelette?!
Friend M can't wait to start her Parisian shopping spree. Here she is posing impatiently just before take off!
Chez Camille, Rue des Francs Bourgeois 24, +33 1 42 72 20 50
After having scored an Issey Miyaki outfit and some sexy footwear for M, we were craving for a meaty lunch. We just sat down at a little table at the first restaurant we came across. It turned out to be Equinox Restaurant and we were in for some seriously meaty dishes.
We shared a starter of poached salmon with that dreadful pesto sauce. The salmon was over salted but with it actually tasted good after we squeezed our lemon quarters all over it.
Then came my Tartare de Boeuf, and although very meaty it lacked flavour and a certain consistency. It was in fact a raw meat ball instead of this onctious and intensely flavoured meat dish called Tartare de Boeuf. And unfortunately the egg yolk didn't add much pleasure to the whole dish either.
M ordered the grilled fillet de boeuf with a red wine sauce and seasonal vegetables. And although the beef looked seriously burned, it tasted good and the cuisson was perfect.
At least we were served by the friendly waiter, instead of the annoying one so it was fine. The Beaujolais wine we had was good enough and the bill sympatique. Would I go again? Yes of course, the location is perfect and if you are lucky enough to get a table on their little terrace, you can enjoy the beautiful people parading on the Rue des Rosiers while having your hopefully delicious meal.
Equinox, Rue des Rosiers 33, +33 1 42 78 62 44
