It seems horribly predictable (not to mention slightly obnoxious) for a blog about Paris to degenerate into lip-licking descriptions of spectacular meals eaten, so I will try, as a rule, to keep this kind of post to a minimum. Nonetheless, readers will allow me the occasional tribute to the local cuisine. Besides which, certain readers (you know who you are) actively encourage me.
Take this evening's dinner, for instance. A classic example of simple ingredients done to perfection. I chose the nearest bistro, the slightly offbeat Cafe Le Temple. Located right there by the metro stop of the same name. Its most striking feature is the decor, which some might find alarming. (I found it an oddly appropriate backdrop for reading "Jane Eyre" on my trusty Kindle). Think animal prints. Bold animal prints - the skins of leopards, cheetahs, lions, and tigers, all competing to assail one's eye, in far closer proximity than would ever be the case in real life. Add to this vibrant backdrop a kind of sixties hippie vibe, scarves draped across lamps, the occasional lava lamp. Then complete with more than a soupcon of Marilyn. My final coffee was in a tasteful Marilyn demitasse, on a complementary Marilyn saucer, all carefully centered on a large circular Marilyn tray. My waitress, a charming soubrette d'une certaine age, bravely attempted to carry off the Marilyn hairstyle, but the overall effect was marred somewhat by the hig-hugging leopardskin tights. The look was memorable, nonetheless.
I chose the "assiette du Temple"*, from the salad section of the menu. The basic ingredients - duck liver pate on toast, bacon with goat's cheese on brown bread, lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, scallions, were brought to a height of perfection by the inclusion of a sprig of about 30 spectacular red currants. A kir to begin, an accompaniment of mineral water, and an espresso to finish - the whole experience was sublime. And those of you who know me know that I am not the kind of person who is moved to use words like "sublime" where food is concerned. In general, I detest food snobbery and the kind of semi-pornographic writing it elicits.
It seems that I may be forced to re-examine certain long-held attitudes during my time here in Paris. Which is, of course, exactly the point.
*: until further notice, which I hope will come sooner rather than later, no guarantees are offered regarding the correctness of any and all French expressions appearing in this blog. So, caveat lector, and all that good stuff.
Plain people of Ireland: Sinead, come here! You'll never guess who's blathering on again. It's yer man, the "Mainly on the Plain" character. Shows up in Paris, of all places. Only now he's calling himself "Whipping Cats", or some such name.
ReplyDeleteSinead: And you got to a site called "Whipping Cats" just how, exactly?
PPoI: Yerra, get yer mind out of the gutter, woman! I was only helping Fionnuala with her Leaving Cert French homework. Parley-vouz and all that kind of stuff. How do I bookmark yer man's new page - you know someone should be keeping an eye on that character!