Emily in France 🇫🇷 I Will Wear Sandals if It Kills Me
It's spring-ish.
Someone recently asked me how the weather was on my Japan trip. I had to stop and think about it.
Really think.
And so after a bit of thinking, I finally said, "I can't remember, so it must have been pleasant enough."
This is pretty on-brand for me: I have a hard time remembering what weather is like or was like or will be like at any given moment, which is strange, perhaps, for someone so profoundly affected by the weather. Sunshine can make my day; grey skies can ruin it. I feel I might be one of the only writers not inspired by the melancholy of a grey day.
Maybe my forgetfulness is quasi-willful, to save myself the irritation of realizing that I've moved to a place where it rains, on average, over half of the year. But the fact remains: a few years ago, I accidentally invited my father to come stay with me for 10 of the rainiest May days that either one of us has ever seen.
It is also thanks to this willful ignorance (you know what? Let's call it blind optimism), and in no small part due to my hatred of socks, that, every year around this time, I end up adopting a spring-ish wardrobe of sandals and a toque. And it is in this decidedly un-fashionable attire that I intend to wait for summer to arrive in Paris.
Hoping things warm up soon!
Where I'm Eating
The one good thing about this kind of in-between season is that it's the perfect time (in my humble opinion) to enjoy seafood. Grive is a simple, local spot in the 11th with a focus on natural wine and fresh Normandy seafood, meat, and produce. These lighter plates are positively perfect for the season.
As always, you can find my ever-evolving list of my favorite Paris restaurants here.
Where I'm Going
1. My aversion to crowds may well be outdone by my desire to see all of the new foodie stuff happening at Taste of Paris this weekend.
2. Alex Lobrano recently highlighted a trend we're seeing here in Paris of reverting back to the classic bouillon restaurant, an inexpensive Parisian staple; I'm psyched to try it out at Bouillon 47, a newcomer to the scene.
3. This winter, I tried out the Bateaux Mouche's Alpine-themed rooftop bar Hors Piste, so I'm psyched to try this season's Mademoiselle Mouche, opening in just three days!
What I'm Writing
1. It's not quite summer yet, but I'm already excited about lighter fare like this Zucchini Ribbon and White Bean Salad I developed for EatingWell.
2. My (still in the works) novel is set in the small French village where I spent eight summers. I returned (for work and for pleasure) last month and am showing off some of my favorite spots on my blog.
3. The "in" thing in Parisian pastry is single-product shops peddling only éclairs, cream puffs, or madeleines. I rounded up some of my favorites for Fodor's.
What I'm Reading
1. This attack on the word garlicky (and other annoying food writer quirks) from The Outline.
2. This in-depth look at the evocation of wolves (in fairy tales and current events) as a metaphor for xenophobia in The New York Times.
3. This essay about modern French (much of which I unfortunately disagree with...) from the Wall Street Journal.
A bientôt !
Emily in France