croissants and baguettes | where to eat in Paris

Tell people you went to Paris and the first thing they ask you about it the food. We didn't do too much fine dining, but we enjoyed plenty of bakery type meals. Give me a chocolate croissant for breakfast and a sliced baguette with brie and veggies for lunch and I'm a happy girl.

Here are some of our favorite bakeries...
Paul, 77 rue de Seine - expect a line out the door, but for good reason. Delicious brioche sucre, croissants, palmiers, and macarons.
bread & roses, 7 rue Fleurus - organic breads made with whole grains, nuts, and seeds
Banette, 2 rue de ces Commines - a chain, but I had the most perfect little chocolate and raspberry tart here
Arnaud Delmontel, 39 rue des Martyrs - beautiful styling, and our breakfast treats were still warm!
Le Grenier de Félix, 64 avenue Félix Faure - our neighborhood bakery, perfect for a quick snack any time of day

For lunch or a light dinner...
Pink Flamingo, 105 rue du Vieille du Temple -  a funky pizza parlor serving up unique topping combinations like fresh fig, honey, and goat cheese called the Brangelina (and it was fantastic!)
Le Pain Quotidien, 2 rue des Petits Carreaux - I had such a delicious artichoke heart and white bean salad here
L'Ebouillanté, 6 rue de Barres - cute patio seating outside an old church on a cobblestone path; we had crêpes, quiche, and fresh juice.
La Ferme, 55-57 rue Saint Roch - order your meal at the counter, choose a drink from the cooler, and sit where you like. We liked the laid back atmosphere, and everything is made in house!

For sweets...
Ladurée, 75 avenue des Champs Elysées - macarons, of course. 
La Maison du Chocolat, 8 boulevard de la Madeleine - we bought a teeny box of chocolates, but they'll offer you a sample! Seriously, it's worth checking out for the sample alone.
And get a palmier at every boulangerie you walk by. I did.

Geoff's on Benefit

Geoff's Superlative Sandwiches is nestled along historic Benefit Street, a couple blocks from the Courthouse where my mom works.  A couple weeks ago Ezra and I went to visit her so she could show off her grandson to the Judge, the bailiff, and her other coworkers, and after introductions were made we went to lunch at Geoff's. 

The menu is extensive and lots of the sandwiches are named after local celebrities, like RJ Heim and Don Carcieri.  Probably the best part about the Geoff's dining experience is the giant barrel of brined pickles in the middle of the shop.  I love using the tongs to fish out the biggest one I can find.

I ordered Saarin's Choice - bean sprouts, shredded carrots, and lettuce, with melted muenster, cheddar, and swiss cheeses on wheat.  I probably don't have to tell you this, but the cheeses were my favorite, followed closely by the bean sprouts.

My mom had a classic Reuben, and although the guy who made it was chastised for not letting the cheese melt enough, she said it was still yummy.  We dined outside, and Ezra enjoyed watching passersby while grabbing for stray carrots falling from my sandwich.  Next time maybe I'll even let him eat some of them.

tazza with Elsa

Since Ezra has been here I haven't gone out to lunch or breakfast unassisted like I used to.  That's not to say that Ezra hasn't been to any restaurants because he has.  He's actually patronized three restaurants to be exact.  There just haven't been as many opportunities to go out to eat with an infant due to their very demanding schedules.  So since I don't know when I have my next lunch date with a friend, I will reminisce about one that took place a few months ago...

My friend Elsa and I visited tazza on Westminster Street in downtown Providence for lunch a while back, just to catch up.  Elsa usually lives in Boston but moved back to RI for a couple of months while she was making some decisions about her career.  She's decided to take a transfer to California next month so I'm glad we got to spend some time together before she leaves!

Anyway, back to the food!  I thoroughly enjoyed the chicken salad wrap which included cranberries and walnuts.  I have to admit that the pickle on the side was one of my favorite parts.  I don't know why I like pickles so much.  (Geoff's has the best ones in town.)  

Now that Elsa is moving to Cali it looks like Matt and I have an excuse to fly across the country.  No doubt Elsa will find some where cool for us to eat lunch.