Last Day in Paris

Our last day in Paris was largely spent running around shopping, so of course Dave is letting me write the day's blog post. We set out to pick up some distinctly Parisian gifts, plus a few things for ourselves :).

We started at Galeries Lafayette, one of the large department stores (grand magasins). The main department store is typically all women's clothes, shoes, accessories and beauty and there is a separate building for the men. So Dave would have to be patient as I browsed through every floor, then it was his turn. We worked up an appetite browsing and hit the food floor of Galeries, which is another thing I love about Paris department stores - ample food right in the building. After a lunch of assorted Mediterranean style salads, I had to pick up an Eric Kayser mini pain au chocolat. Perfect dessert.

For Christine, checked one off the list!

The next stop was probably my favourite of the day - Maille for gourmet mustards. Who knew a store full of mustard could be so beautiful? Of course, we can buy Maille at IGA, but only the traditional regular and dijon. The store had about 50 different flavours, from blue cheese to cognac, and the displays were perfect. At Aude's recommendation, we also picked up a traditional mustard but it is dispensed from a tap at the store into a clay pot, then sealed with wax paper and a cork!

If there was ketchup on tap too, we would have brought hot dogs

Viv coming out with a lot of reasons to make sandwiches

Again, shopping made us hungry (anyone see a theme here?) and we had planned at the beginning of the day to conduct falafel test #2 post-shopping. We made our way back to Rue des Rosiers for L'As du Fallafel. An inviting (read: slightly aggressive) gentleman welcomed us to eat in the restaurant rather than curbside.

Guy on far left = Maitre d'

Once seated, we were lured into straying from the traditional falafel by the plates passing by us. We ended up ordering one falafel plate and one schwarma plate.

Lenny Kravitz was right, this place rocks. While we did not make it a head to head battle with Chez Hanna because we ordered different things, I think we both agreed that L'As du Fallafel was better.

Thanks, Lenny

Our last day in Paris was complete with one last scoop of Berthillon before turning in. It was an amazing second trip to Paris. We got our bearings in the city much quicker than our last trip, and explored new arrondissements that brought more sights to be hold and delicious food to enjoy. We never feel that we have enough time in Paris though, and will certainly be back. Until then, au revoir, Paris...buongiorno, Florence!

Vivian

 

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