As many of my blog readers know, I was recently lucky enough to go to Paris for work! We were there to film the CIO of a large electronics distribution company and talk about why Microsoft solutions are the best business decision. We did a short 3-4 min video while onsite and captured some great content. I was able to travel with the same DP (Director of Photography) and Director that I have worked with on previous video shoots, which was great because I didn’t have to stress about traveling solo. When traveling abroad for things like this, it’s typically a 4-day minimum if you’re taking into account travel days and 2 days to shoot film. I extended the trip a day to meet up with Gina since she was in Rome which couldn’t have worked out any better! Gina and her friend Natalie caught a flight from Rome à Paris and met me at the hotel towards the end of the day Friday. We had Friday night to have dinner/drinks and all day Saturday to explore. It was such an amazing experience to be in Paris with my sister, so thankful it worked out.
As John (Director) and Eric (DP) are avid travelers, I am always very receptive to their recommendations abroad. Eric knows the restaurant scene like nobody I’ve ever met, he’s able to recommend multiple, local favorites and knows all kinds of background stories regarding locations, restaurant owners, chefs, you name it (on a side note, his wife is a culinary photographer, how cool is that job!?!). The highlight of our trip was John and Eric showing me Rue Cler, a street closed to traffic in Paris characterized by markets, bakeries, Rick Steve recommended restaurants, cheese shops (O…M…G), cafés and outdoor flower shops. Walking down the cobblestone roads and taking in the scenic and scents, you really feel like you’re in Paris. To me, that is the authentic experience I was hoping to have during my short duration of time.
I was actually able to try three different restaurants on three different days while I was there. I will never forget the ambiance of the outdoor seating at Le Café du Marché. Café du Marché is located on one of the main corners on rue Cler and you can basically sit outside, enjoy amazing food + wine (very reasonable pricing) and watch the hustle and bustle of local Parisian action. Rick Steves calls it, “rue Cler's living room, where locals gather before heading home, many staying for a relaxed and affordable dinner.” He also goes on to say, “The owner priced his menu so that locals could afford to dine out on a regular basis, and it worked — many patrons eat here five days a week. For a reasonable meal, grab a chair and check the chalk menu listing the plat du jour.” We went to Café du Marché the first night I arrived and once when my sister was in town. Both times we ordered the Norma Dee oysters to start with a bottle of Cote de Rhone red wine, stick with what works, right? The first night I had “confit de canard”, duck with crispy skin, sautéed potatoes and fresh garlic on top. No knife required, the duck literally pulled apart with a fork. As I said before, the idea behind the price point at Café Du Marche is to make it affordable for locals to eat there all the time and considering this main course was around 10 euro, I’d say that goal is met!
As John (Director) and Eric (DP) are avid travelers, I am always very receptive to their recommendations abroad. Eric knows the restaurant scene like nobody I’ve ever met, he’s able to recommend multiple, local favorites and knows all kinds of background stories regarding locations, restaurant owners, chefs, you name it (on a side note, his wife is a culinary photographer, how cool is that job!?!). The highlight of our trip was John and Eric showing me Rue Cler, a street closed to traffic in Paris characterized by markets, bakeries, Rick Steve recommended restaurants, cheese shops (O…M…G), cafés and outdoor flower shops. Walking down the cobblestone roads and taking in the scenic and scents, you really feel like you’re in Paris. To me, that is the authentic experience I was hoping to have during my short duration of time.
Chef Constant is a famous in Paris for his 3 restaurants that all have great reputations. Once again, Eric came through with this stellar recommendation and we tried out Café Constant at 139 Rue St. Dominique (http://www.cafeconstant.com). With an early arrival of 7:00pm (most Parisians don’t venture out for dinner until at least 8:00pm) we sat up at the bar for a drink before getting seated and started out with a couple appetizers. Has anyone ever asked you what the best thing is you ever ate? I now have my answer to that question. The shrimp spinach tart was probably the most amazing thing my taste buds have ever experienced. It was a handmade, fresh pastry with topped with fresh spinach and shrimp, drizzled in a foamy sauce I can’t even begin to explain. I’m not sure the photo even does it justice – all I can say is if you’re ever in Paris….it’s worth a visit! We also ordered “oeufs mimosa,” French deviled eggs that will put your grandmother’s recipe to shame. It’s a good thing we arrived early, by 9:30pm, you could not even get standing room in that restaurant, I saw many people take one look at the wait and walk away…sure goes to show a good reputation among locals! http://www.leviolondingres.com/eng_constant.htm.
"At Café Constant (no reservations, so come early for lunch and dinner) traditional brasserie food is served, at the bar, on the ground and first floor. Choose from a long list written on an antique blackboard. Prices are reasonable and won't break the bank. Starters include Cream of Puy lentilles dotted with foie gras, Oeufs Mimosa, Salade de Crudites, Terrines, etc. Mains include a Beef tartare, Penne with basil and tomatoes, Spanish omelette, steak and chips. Desserts include all the favourites such as Rice Pudding, Peach Melba, Profiterolles, Vacherin, Ile Flottante, Ice creams or cheese. Kanterbrau and L'Abbaye de Florette beers are on tap at the bar. Well-chosen wines are by the glass, half bottles and carafe. And, late in the afternoon after lunch service at Le Violon d'Ingres, the Constants usually eat here… but only you know that." - Les Restaurants de Constant
"At Café Constant (no reservations, so come early for lunch and dinner) traditional brasserie food is served, at the bar, on the ground and first floor. Choose from a long list written on an antique blackboard. Prices are reasonable and won't break the bank. Starters include Cream of Puy lentilles dotted with foie gras, Oeufs Mimosa, Salade de Crudites, Terrines, etc. Mains include a Beef tartare, Penne with basil and tomatoes, Spanish omelette, steak and chips. Desserts include all the favourites such as Rice Pudding, Peach Melba, Profiterolles, Vacherin, Ile Flottante, Ice creams or cheese. Kanterbrau and L'Abbaye de Florette beers are on tap at the bar. Well-chosen wines are by the glass, half bottles and carafe. And, late in the afternoon after lunch service at Le Violon d'Ingres, the Constants usually eat here… but only you know that." - Les Restaurants de Constant
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2014112142_trruecler06.html
Here are some photos of our perfect Saturday afternoon at The Louvre, shopping and lunch in Paris – it was probably one of the best days ever! Again, I'm so thankful it worked out and really do, LOVE Paris!
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