Emily in France 🇫🇷 An Airing of Grievances
The French are expert complainers.
Before I (got French citizenship, I always used to joke that I would know instinctively the day that my application was approved, because I would be overcome by the overwhelming desire to complain. The French, you see, are expert complainers, with three different words to describe the act: se plaindre, for normal complaining, porter plainte, for official complaining, and râler, or complaining for sport.
Since I've been officially French for over a year, I suppose it's time for me to get in on the act. So without further ado, here are a few complaints.
1. I like my work so much that I never say no to new projects. As a result, I have far too much work, and therefore far too much fun.
2. I am doing so many restaurant reviews I haven't had dinner at home in ten days.
3. My wine shop ran out of the wine I usually like for my tours, so the owner gave me a wine double the price at the same rate (and gave me a glass of it to taste for my troubles).
(... am I doing this right?)
Where I'm Eating
Great classic bistro fare is oddly hard to find in Paris, where a plethora of more contemporary, internationally-inspired restaurants reflects the current fashion. That's why, while Le Maquis was slightly uneven in practice, I'm glad it exists. (Especially for this leek-vinaigrette dish). As always, you can find my ever-evolving list of my favorite Parisian restaurants here.
Where I'm Going
1. To Freddy's, for wine and small plates with a phenomenal group of women working in food.
2. To the Ake pop-up restaurant at concept shop the Broken Arm.
3. To the Deck & Donohue brewery, to do research for an exciting upcoming article.
What I'm Writing
1. This review of Japanese-accented bistro Cuisine for Paris by Mouth.
2. This look at some the best restaurants in Lyon for the Culture Trip.
3. This guide to traveling with kids for TripAdvisor.
What I'm Reading
1. This in-depth, on-point look at Lyon's position as the real capital of French food in GQ.
2. This essay that reinforces my obsession with walking in the Guardian.
3. This exploration of a subversive, political, artistic installation of portraits in a small southern town in the New York Times.
A bientôt !
Emily in France