fooddate-blog

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#vsco #vscocam I could smell the food fill up my hunger before the order was even placed. The best one ever. (at Cervecería Catalana)

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More Truffles?

Sometimes you need to know when to stop. You have to get things where they are offered or served well. I couldn't stop my truffle love after I returned to Paris but I count this as a life lesson. 

When Mr. Moncher visited the town again, we decided to go to Maison de la Truffe, in the famous Boulevard Madeleine. Once we enter, it's not possible not the impress about, great entrance with full of truffles on the display (yes you can buy them for home and for good), simple but elegant tables, chairs, napkins etc.

As we always do with Mr. Moncher, we decided to share the food. Tomatoes and creamy buratta, Raviolis with summer truffles, Tagliatelles with Black truffles and Risotto with White Truffles. Put that 65 Euro plate to trash because besides buratta and raviolis it's a disillusion. For Risotto, there's only one place on the 15th, which I will write about it later.

They have good service, good ambiance but don't go there with high hopes on truffles.

Special thanks to Moncher.

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The White Truffles

I'll try to keep this one simple. Because I could write pages for this weekend trip.

Every year from September to November, this little town called Alba from Piedmont region of Italy celebrates a special fair-one of the most famous food festival: Fiera del Tartufo. White Truffles from this region are the best and contrary to Black or other types of truffles, it has a shorter life time. Apart from that, exquisite smell and seductive taste of it, the way how it can change a simple food as pasta or even a bread into to royal food, determines the price of it. The record price paid for a single white truffle was set in December 2007, when Macau casino owner Stanley Ho paid $330,000 (£165,000) for a specimen weighing 1.5 kilograms. Hail to Mr. Ho.

Enrico Crippa's Piazza Duamo is the most well known restaurant of the town with couple of Michelin stars (No.39 ranked in the world). How ever you need to make a reservation way too long to experience his foods. That's a reminder for me as well.

However, you can have the white trufflemania almost in every restaurant in town thanks to the festival. Decanter Enoteca was one of them. Nothing special about the design or the ambiance but again, it doesn't have to. They had a set menu of from amuse-bouche to desert, everything with white truffles on it. Ok, there were none on the deserts but still heaven like.

On top of raw meats.

Pumpkin cream with seared scallops.

Deserts without them just make no sense. Please don't hate me.

Most of the restaurants will serve you the same kind of menu. On a raw meat, on a plain pasta... How ever you can find other options as well, like the next morning I did. Relais Villa Pomela is an amazing hotel with a well known restaurant. Although a bit closer to Milano, the fair makes it all for them to serve truffles all around the region. I kindly asked for this to the waiter (they are super friendly) in the breakfast, because-you know I would cry otherwise:

Simple food-simple ingredient-that's how it works.

Before I finish this, I should give the credit to the amazing wines of Piedmont region as well. They can easily compete with the French ones. Grab a bottle especially if you see Barolo sign.

Special thanks to beautiful Sally Spaghetti.

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Blind Pig

Although French laws doesn't allow food trucks on the street, one has managed to secure a spot in a hangar space on a quiet little alleyway in the heart of the Marais. This is Blind Pig.

Putting a food truck inside of a courtyard is a thing, but Blind Pig is a totally game changer. The name derives from everyday different brand different chef concept. Every week there is a different kitchen concept. It's kind of street food exhibition-except every time there is another one.

The design is stable-which also I found amazing. Modern lines, low tables, books as chairs-a swing in the middle of the place <3. They even made a cute little room for the couples. That's for eating.

Special thanks to Ceyda, Ece Oney and Emma!

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A bit of Fromagerie

Welcome to the place where you can find the best cheeses in Paris. It's called Laurent Dubois. Situated in the 15th, when you come through their doors, you enter a “universe of cheese”. You will find a range of aged cheeses selected for their qualities. The cheeses are presented in a way that allows you to comprehend the different families of cheeses, from France and elsewhere. You will appreciate their beauty, their textures, their fragrances; everything is organised so you can understand what they represent: an essential, cultural product that is alive. And yes-everything changes each day!

Of course I went for the cheeses with truffles, which makes me think again if I had anything to do with truffles in my previous lives.

I really love this shop because here is the reason for a great story-O PEYNIRLER BITECEK ECE.

Special thanks to Le Cordon Bleu.

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Mr. Frenchie (to go)

Frenchie ... this nickname for Gregory Marchand by Jamie Oliver in the kitchens of restaurants Fifteen in London will stick to the skin. This is what nickname baptize the restaurant he opened in April 2009 in the second district of Paris. After opening his first restaurant, he added a wine bar and a to go place in the same street, where he serves more kind of street food. That day, we had visited the third one.

Small, cozy and warm place. Simple design and simple food. Great place for lunches if you're around the 2nd district, looking for some sandwich and beer aside. You don't need to make any reservation-just get in line when you go there.

Simple food but looking good-wow & yum at the same time. Gregory Marchand was one of the chef's that I heard before my arrival to Paris. You had my curiosity but now you have my attention Mr. Marchand-really looking to go Frenchie now.

Special thanks to Unver Uygur, Ece Oney and Ceyda <3

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American style Brasserie?

In the heart of Bastille, Beaumarly's sort of newly opened venue - Cafe Français - will not be noticed easily. It just look like any other Brasserie, but only from the outside.

Decorated by interior designer India Mahdavi in white, midnight blue, deep red, and coppery gold. The space’s proportions are “American style”: expansive but comfortable.

The menu was almost similar with the other Beaumarly venues like Le Matignon or Le Georges. We've ordered ¨Tomate Burrata, Oeuf cocotte, Carpaccio de Boeuf and Steak Tartare¨ with frites aside. They were all good, nothing many special though. 

¨.

Comparing with the other Brasserie's in Bastille, Cafe Français are among the best with a nearly 360-degree view of Place de la Bastille from its wraparound terrace, cheerful waiters and quality food. Specially Steak Tartare is recommended.

Special thanks to Ceyda, Ece Oney and Unver ¨Pegasus¨ Uygur.

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Winning

Life is about thinking positive. When bad things happens you need to take a breath and think positive. Otherwise they will continue like a chain. The same thing goes with the opposite though. When good things happens, you bet your ass it will go on. That is what happened when we visited Eric Frechon’s Lazare. It was a winning two days in a row. 

Situated in Gare Saint-Lazare, spacious and elegant atmosphere will be noticed rapidly. The decoration is not reflected by luxury but coolness. The walls are fancied up with plates and written notes. The ceil is so high that you would feel yourself in a loft. And the lighting brings you the best illumination. 

Since we wanted the taste all the menu at once, we thought sharing would be a better idea. “Calamari sauteed with garlic and Espelette pepper”, “Salad of green beans, artichokes in hazelnut oil”, “Farmed mussels in cream” and “Coquilles St. Jacques fried salad with truffle juice”.

Looking good? You damn right. 

For the desert-we picked “Millefeuille Gavottes Vanilla“, “Roasted Figs with Almond Cream“ and “Sorbet of the Season“. Since the food was already amazing, I had high expectations from the Millefeuille especially. Regardlessly, it was the one that I picked up. Well, it is a right to make wrong decisions sometimes. It wasn't bad at all but comparing with the Fig and the Sorbet I saw that I had made the wrong choice. Fig-I mean if you are a Fig guy-that could be the best desert ever done for you.

Lazare was one of the best ones yet-Calamari and Mussels are a must!

Special thanks to Ceyda and MoncherSelcuk.

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Super chefs will drive you to the best

"Wow" is the truest reaction to give after having a dinner at Gaya Rive Gauche. Expectations were high before visiting Superchef Pierre Gagnaire’s restaurant in St. Germain-but in the end, we felt the glory of satisfaction.

Comparing to his other restaurants, Gaya is more reasonable with its prices. The menu is set mainly on sea foods-definitely not traditional-and includes his wonderful touches of Monsieur Gagnaire’s.

The ingredients makes you question “how this could be even go well with the fish?” but this is where the world famous chef put some magic on. To give a better example, “Sea bream carpaccio , eggplant with cumin and artichokes” and “potato gnocchi with sage, cornucopias and pumpkin” were some delights we shared for the middle.

While thinking about what could be better, the main courses arrived: “Mussels with lemongrass and whiting. Bowl of basmati rice Madagascar pepper, plum puree”. This is where you question for rest of your life-can I find something better after having this?

Well no more questions because best is yet to come. The deserts of course. We shared “80g strawberries placed on a macaronade; chiffon cheesecake” and “Autumn fruit compote; parfait pistachio and almond tuile”. Words are meaningless to describe them.

The atmosphere were also great and the service was its best. So what would you expect more from a restaurant?

Special thanks to MoncherSelcuk.

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Can fashion brings it's elegance to food?

Well, the answer is both yes and no.

Ralph’s is situated in St. Germain, just next to its famous fashion brand brother Ralph Lauren, whom is also influence the name for.

The spectacular entrance shows you the way to its beautifully decorated courtyard. The atmosphere inside makes a connection with people and you can see the elegance shining around. 

Burgers prepared stylish with tasty French fries was our main course. I know it sounds like a thing you can find it everywhere easily, but they were good enough.

It’s a great place to spend long hours with your friends to kill some time in a sunny afternoon. Prepare to spend long hours, because I can’t say the service has the same quality with its food and decoration. I’m used to slowness of Parisian Restaurants now but you shouldn’t need to remind the waiters couple of times for your orders in a place such as Ralph's.

All in all, Ralph’s is where you want to be to feel the elegance and the luxury of Paris, if the service is not your priority in a restaurant.

Special thanks to Ece Oney and MoncherSelcuk.

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Russian Touch in Paris

Although it’s arguable that Paris is still the capital city of fashion, Boulevard Hausmann brings you the one of the famous malls in the world like Lafeyette and Printemps, where you can find elaborated kinds of brands.

Situated on the ground floor of Printemps, Le Cafe Pouchkine brings fairytale of Moscow to the narrow streets of Paris.

French and Russian influences reflects the decor inside and one of the most important patisseries chef in the world, Emmanuel Ryon serves you amazing sweet bites.

I’ve tried the recommended, signature desert of Le Cafe Pouchkine, also known as Medovick, honeyed biscuit cake with caramel and crime fraiche inside. Although it tasted great, I have to admit that it wasn’t the best. Well maybe I wasn’t traditional enough for the Russian deserts. The atmosphere and variety of the bites definitely deserve a stop by after a sunny afternoon. You’ll sure not regret it.

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Classic or Traditional?

If you ever drop by Rue du Faubourg, Montmartre someday, you'll see a huge crowd at some point. No, it's not a bar, and yes, this line is always there. Aside from being one of the oldest restaurants of Paris, Chartier, is still very dear to Parisians.

When you finally get over with the line, uniformed waiters takes you to your table. Try to follow your waiter while entering enormous and legendary dining room. Well, if you stare too much for the classic and charming architecture, someone can have your seat. 

It's hard to believe that they can serve too many people at the same time, for over a hundred years. We were two and we shared our table with a German couple. I think that was one of the positive sides of Chartier, that you can easily communicate with other people around. But of course, we are not there for that. No, we are there for their famous and decent meals. They offer a huge range of Traditional French Cuisine and yet, in very reasonable prices.

When my friend told me that they're serving an amazing Duck, I decided to postpone my pescetarianism. I was actually unable to slow myself that night and my curiosity was the reason why I also ordered a Steak Tartare. Damn you my curiosity. 

It's a shame that I couldn't took a photo of Steak Tartare and almost wouldn't have the time for the Duck. It was that good.

Long story short, Chartier offers you more than cliché of traditional French Restaurants with classy atmosphere and reasonable prices. Like they would tell you, ¨A restaurant doesn't become a legend by accident¨.

Many thanks to lovely Ceyda Yağız:)

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First Stop

Located in 92 Rue du Fauborg, 9th arrondissement of Paris - abri, is a smallish, 14 people capacity restaurant. Aside from being neighbour to them, recommendation of a ¨Parisienne¨ friend whom I trust to his choice of food pleasure, also affected abri to be my first choice.

If you wouldn't know that they took place on number 92, you'll definitely have difficult times to find them, since they don't have any sign. An ambitious approach of a fairly small place.

Although abri is famous for their sandwiches, their creative chef prepares a new menu everyday for lunch and dinner. This makes them provide fresh meals every moment. They offer a set menu for 25 euros, including two entrées, a main dish and a dessert. And yes, they are terrific.

First served entrée, vegetable sauced sardines. Like we would say, ¨yeme de yanında yat¨.

Pumkin soup with egg and vanilla souce - hearty portions are so little and so fulfilling at the same time that it makes you drive to emotional crisis.

Main Course: More than just a fish and side dish of vegetable. 

Even though I can't recall the name of the fish, this not makes me sorry since it wouldn't be there for the next time. It's enough to know that is coming around Alaska. Presented aside, mushrooms and carrot puree creates a festival in the mouth.

Dessert. Candied apricot + ice cream + cookie = sex.

Creating great foods in it is tiny kitchen, abri has very friendly employees too (although they have a poker face here).

To sum up, if you happen to pass by Paris one day, abri is a great option for lunch and a truly date place for young couples.

Before it ends, a special thanks to David Ordono.

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#vsco #vscocam

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Introduction - Project 365

This is not a story to tell. It's a reminiscence to call for the later. 

Welcome to the journey among foods & stuff.