Trip: Florimond, Vin Sobre, 153 Grenelle, Cocottes

[grace3]

I arrived early with a tailwind, with luggage and all settled in my lovely 7th floor apt. in the 7th with the Eiffel Tower outside my window..all of Paris out there. Pretty spectacular after dark!!

I quickly walked down a block to Le Florimond and made an early reservation so I could turn in early on this arrival night. What a great place..what nice people!! Another patron even sent over an after dinner wine..then an American couple was seated next to me and noting I spoke English began asking me many things..their first trip here. It ended not being an early to bed evening...but a nice start!!

The following day I found the best little place..."Flirt'The"...3, Ave. Duquesne, next door to Derby Hotel..serves petite dejeuner, dejeuner and the..may be open as late as 5. Great 8 euro breakfast..oj or grapefruit, toasted baguette, croissant, coffe or tea. About 9 items on the board for dejeuner...all 13 euros! gave that a try today..had a grilled chicken leg/thigh, flan des legumes (very nice), green salad, glass of wine and a hot apple/berry crumb dessert..total 23.50! Small, table a bit close, some outside..very clean, friendly, and very nice owner. If in the area and looking for a light spot to eat, I don't think you will be disappointed.

I also have been to Bistrot Vin Sobre. Sat outside. It was decent.

I was wandering down to catch up with Catherine Constant and passed 153 Grenelle..looked in and visited..of course, ended up making a dinner reservation. A very pretty place. I had a melt in your mouth fois gras, the canard confit, skipped the cheese, petit fours...a most enjoyable meal. Question: a foursome of French were across from me and they all had heaping bowls of what looked like mini mussels that you ate by hand as an entree..what would they be?? I did catch up with Catherine and had lunch at Les Cocottes. A nice young man sat next to me. A Sorbonne student from Houston. I think he enjoyed chatting with me..a bit homesick? I should have bought his lunch. He said he was most fortunate to have found an apt. in the 7th...eats sandwiches most of the time..said there was a famous Greek sandwich place in the 5th! I think they said he was maybe a Sat. regular at Les Cocottes..I will have to look for him next Sat..buy his lunch!!

I will be here for a month..so will add my thoughts and ask all of you who have the food smarts for some help along the way.....

Joan

Tomorrow night I have reservations at La Folle Avoine. Looking forward to it after some reading.

Many more..on to Spring, l'Obelisque, Fables etc, etc.