spring break food part 1: paris.

I just came back from a three week easter break (SO LONG!). As I uploaded my photos onto my computer, I realized that most of them were of food...I think this food obsession is getting serious.

I started my break with two nights in Paris, France. I stayed with my dear friend Anna. She is spending the semester there, attending various schools (so I understand?) and living by herself in a cute little apartment in the eleventh arrondisement. I wish I had taken photos of it, but obviously I was a bit more focused on food.

After I dropped her off at school the next morning, I went off to explore the Marais (third) district with an almond croissant in hand (that was WAY too sweet!). Last time I was in Paris, I ran around doing all the very touristy things, so this time around I felt less pressured to do that. I'm really glad I explored the Marais, because I hadn't before, and one full day was perfect for it! My morning started with an espresso and map reading. I still don't think I enjoy Lavazza espresso. It's a bit too bitter for me.



I met up with Anna and we decided to track down some lunch. Walking through the Marais, we decided to hit up this falafel place that had a huge line with lots of Japanese people. We Japanese do hardcore research before going anywhere, so I knew it would be fabulous. Oh, and it was. Best falafel of my LIFE. There was a perfect balance of creamy, spicy, sweet, and crunchy. AND there was no funky aftertaste, which is a HUGE plus.



Although the falafel had no terrible aftertaste, we had to get some dessert. Neither of us had ever eaten at Ladurée, so we decided to splurge and get ourselves one of those famous double-decker macarons.



We thought the price was a bit outrageous, but once we took a bite we realized why...they were perfect! I got the vanilla and Anna got violet. I could totally taste the vanilla (and not just that crappy vanilla flavoring, but the real stuff) and the consistency of the meringuey top with the marzipany middle together was the perfect soft crunch.

The next day Anna took me to a quaint vegan café.



Anna got the pumpkin one, with what I think were azuki beans on the bottom. I got the slice of satsuma potatoes with carrot shavings on top. Both were in a (kind of dry...) whole wheat crust. The fillings were perfect though! I might have thrown on a bit of sesame salt, but I love salt, so I think otherwise it would have been fine.

And of course, dessert follows lunch! So we bought a slice of apple pie-ish thing. I was expecting something sweet (I feel like all apple pies are overly sweet), but this one was just right! And that's coming from someone who was kind of sick at the time. I think we agreed that a little dash of cinnamon or nutmeg on top would've given it a little extra something, but what we got was pretty damn good. I think there was a layer of oats below the apple. I just wished the crust weren't the same as the other savory slices we got earlier.



All of that with unlimited anise tea (which, surprisingly, I enjoyed). x