I recently was evicted from my first apartment (more like a room) because my 9 month lease was up. However, I still have 3 more weeks here before I head to DC for 2 months for the winter (after which I will return back to Paris for 2012). So, after being kicked out a day earlier than I expected, I packed up my things and frantically searched for a replacement room with all my bags (7 to be exact, some little, some big). Thankfully, I found another room for 3 weeks in a nearby building. All was great on Halloween... I settled in to my new room and watched Monte Carlo online. For your information, Monte Carlo is a movie starring Selena Gomez and in no way is this embarrassing for me to admit... rather these sort of movies tend to be the norm for me... I think it started with my days watching "Brink" and "Smart House" on the Disney Channel. But like I said, all was great on Halloween and then came All Saints' Day morning, November 1st.
At 9 a.m., for the second day in a row, I was surprised with a knock at my door. Today, who else came a knockin' but a nice Cambodian gentleman, telling me that he was my new roommate. At the age of 25 (almost 26... 13 days) with a working contract in Paris, I was under the impression my days of random roommates were over... but I guess not. So, like I always do, I gave him a big smile, rolled with it, and helped him bring his bags in the door. I would say that this is a crazy experience for me, but since I've been here, this one ranks somewhere in the middle of the list. So, to digest what had just happened, I decided to head out and do some errands in Paris and grab a bite to eat for lunch.
One of the errands on my list was depositing a check. My local HSBC Bank branch is on Blvd. Saint-Germain in the 5th arrondisement, just near the Seine. However, down towards my bank is an area a little less traveled by the Parisian tourist, as it is not as exciting as the bustling Rue de la Huchette where millions of tourist dollars are wasted on terrible food each year... Ahhh the Rue de la Huchette... But it looks so cute that Rue de la Huchette! And it sounds cool too! And there are scarfs and berets for sale too! (OBVIOUS NOTE OF SARCASM). Annnnnnnywho, my bank is down Blvd. Saint-Germain a bit in the eastern direction, and today reminded me of just how amazing this little section of the 5th arrondisement is for food. The area around my bank is what I like to call the Pontoise-Lemoine Oasis. Let's talk about the name first, then the restaurants.
It's called "The Oasis" because every time I try to go to the bank, it's closed. Either I'm there during the 3 hours in the middle of the day when it's closed for "lunch," or it's yet another holiday with no work of which I am unaware. Nevertheless, when the bank is closed, I am never upset because a short skip across the road leads me to the Pontoise-Lemoine Oasis = A square block between Rue Cardinal-Lemoine and Rue de Pontoise of 7 (and probably more) stupidly delicious food choices. Here's the list:
1. La Rotisserie de Beaujolais - it's the annex of La Tour D'Argent... cheap for lunch, amazing food. Just shut up and watch this video. http://www.larotisseriedubeaujolais.com/
2. Chez Rene - classic French bistro... waiters in the traditional dressed up fashion, food to match the show.
3. Les Pates Vivantes - Amazing Chinese cooking (an extension of the heavily-frequented 9th arrondisement location)... wide open kitchen almost in the middle of restaurant where you can see the chef work his magic.
4. and 5. Le Petit Pontoise (and Le Pontoise Aussi...) Both restaurants are the same owner... one is more expensive with a more extensive menu, one is cheaper and just as good... with a killer Bistro burger. The more expensive offers Ravioles Dauphinois as an appetizer, which makes you want to lie on the ground and snow angel in the restaurant... and then post-angel they blindside you with the main course of Asian-inspired Magret de Canard that makes you leave the restaurant because you don't feel worthy enough.
6. Itineraire - Class class class... old owners of a great seafood place in the 11th called Le Temps au Temps (still exists with different owners) opened up this place... expensive but delicious.
7. La Parisienne - simple boulangerie that has ridiculous chocolate chip and almond cookies for 1,20 euro.
Today, "The Oasis" proved yet again to be an inspiration, as I trudged to the bank, only to find it closed for the All Saints' Holiday. Not to worry, I quickly followed with a cigarette, walked into Les Pates Vivantes and ate a bowl of noodles with mustard greens, cilantro, celery, beef, and Chajiang sauce (I can't spell it but it tastes great), and then finished it off with a La Parisienne chocolate chip cookie. Followed that delicious black-out with a stroll along the Seine, and then went home to do some work at my neighborhood pub, Le Fleurus.
If you're not in Paris and you're reading this, I just feel bad for you.
Was Amelie there?
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