Paris - noteworthy traiteurs?
I have decided to forego restaurants for my trip to Paris (in May) and will be focussing instead on buying local produce to eat at the apartment and on picnics.
Can any of you lovely Hounds point me in the direction of Parisien 'traiteurs of note'? Either market stalls or shops. I'll be shopping on a Monday and Tuesday, plus Wednesday early morning for food to take home to the UK on the train. I'll also be there Sunday afternoon, but I imagine everything will be closed except a few Kosher places in the Marais?
I am particularly interested in cheese based tarts and seafood - though I do adore a well made oeuf en gelée too (yes, I know they contain gelatin). I will have access to a microwave only, so ideally any spécialitiés de la maison must be ready to eat and suitable for eating at ambient temperatures.
I will be staying in the 3rd arr (in May), but my shopping could take me anywhere in the pursuit of savoury goodness. (I have minimal interest in sweet foods).
Merci!
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PhilD
Apr 1, 2012 06:28 AM
Peg, my dvice is to head to the best shopping streets and go from there. There are three level of traiteurs, the basic are the French version of chinese take-aways with lots of average asian food to take home andwarm up. The second are ritzy caterers who produce drinks and dinner party food - Fauchon, Lenoitre etc. The third areth more local upmarket bakeries an delus that do their own stuff. You could do worse thn checking out Le Grande Epicerie at Bon Marche as they have big selection an good turnover. However, every good food street will have one upmarket traiteur, best to choose one that isclose to your apartment.
All tht said, i would head to a good cheese shop, find a good place for charcuterie and eat great bread with meat and cheese, accompanied by a salad and bottle of red. Then finish with fresh seasonal fruit from the markets. Markets always have stalls with interesting salad leaves and good oil and vinegar are easy to find. And asa real treat buy some chocolate to enjoy with a coffee (most rentals will have a nespresso machine these days).
