Favourite Lunch Spot

I know I go on and on and on about this place but it’s a true favourite of mine (the staff has even begun to great me now due to my many visits). The food is absolutely delicious and it’s so unbelievable price worthy! The mushroom soup, the starter seen in the first two photos, is crazy yummy and would be more than perfect during these freezing cold days… Another thing you’re not allowed to miss while you’re there is the white bourgogne wine. One of my favourites! Mmmm. I’m getting hungry just writing about this, I need to go back.

January 26 2013 25 comments

http://www.littlepiecesoflight.com/ Little Pieces of Light

I completely agree!! This and Café Constant are officially my two most favourite places for lunch in Paris. Great minds think alike LOL

Milsters

(http://www.littlepiecesoflight.com/)
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Haha, yes
  
  xxx
Vanessa

This looks very yummy,indeed!It is on my to-do-list!

This might be a weird question,but do you have lunch alone at the restaurants you’re going to or do you usually have company?I actually would not mind having lunch or dinner alone in a restaurant or a café,but I always have the impression that people tend to look at you in strange way if you sit alone at a table…like you’re poor single woman even if you might have a boyfriend or husband!Don’t get me wrong but I could imagine that especially in Paris and France – where a couple-driven culture dominates – this could become difficult…Maybe I am wrong!It would be great if you could tell me your opinion on this subject

Bon weekend!xx
- http://www.littlepiecesoflight.com/ Little Pieces of Light
  
  Hello Vanessa! Just saw your comment pop up on my computer and wanted to reply. Like Carin, I eat alone at restaurants from time to time. Especially when I first moved to Paris 3 years ago and did not know too many people. Even now, I enjoy a good meal by myself, with a book at hand, or a journal or things that I am working on. I don’t think people stare at all! And if they do, it’s because you’re an attractive woman and that’s what you do in Paris with attractive women – you look at them – so take it as a compliment. I find that waiters and people sitting at tables nearby (sometimes alone) also feel more comfortable opening up a discussion with you when you’re sitting by yourself. I strike up a lot of interesting conversations that way. Yes, sometimes there are guys who do so simply because they’re hitting on you, but the majority of people I’ve met this way are quite genuine. I know my partner eats alone from time to time too. He is an entrepreneur and likes to spend some alone thinking time at cafés and restaurants. I think Paris is a great place for that: it encourages spending time to enjoy and think, and people find it very normal if you wish to do those things by yourself.
  - Vanessa
    
    Thank you so much for your input,it is very helpful!I might move to Paris this year and this was one of the (few) things which I was a bit worried about.I have been to Paris many times before,but I have never thought about that or paid attention to that,since I was in a relationship back then.Currently,I am living in Germany and here this is a rare thing to see and it doesn’t seem to be a habit although it is not a couple-driven culture.
    
    I actually find it great that one has the possibility to engage in a discussion with other people sitting nearby as I am very open-minded.And I really like the idea of sitting alone in a café and reading a book or a newspaper – or just watching the people go by and spend some time thinking.
    
    Thank you again for your insightful comment!
    - Vanessa
      
      p.s.:I can completely relate to what you’re saying about attractive women being stared at in Paris – so true!
      - http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
        
        I see you’ve already gotten a great response from “Little Pieces of Light” and I absolutely agree with her. First of all, it’s much more likely for other people to start talking to you. That have happened to me a couple of times and it has been really pleasant But of course you can try to avoid this with a book or something similar if you don’t feel comfortable.
        
        I also think that it’s very common to eat alone in Paris. Here it seems like you appreciate the daily meals so much more than what I’m usually used to so to sit at a restaurant by yourself isn’t as “weird” as in Stockholm for example. Here it’s more natural to of course enjoy a three course meal by yourself. And I must say that I really like that attitude It’s often much easier to get a table as well, which is always a plus! Although I must say that it can be nice to have something to do if you’re dining alone. Like a book, magazine, work (as “Little Pieces of Light” said as well), I’ve tried to dine without anything at all and it’s much harder since you have absolutely nothing to occupy yourself with!
        
        Good luck Vanessa
      - Vanessa
        
        Thank you so much for your answer,Carin!
        
        Somehow I do understand what you mean when you say that having lunch or dinner alone in Paris does not feel “weird” as in Stockholm.I felt the same way when I’ve visited other cities abroad where I had lunch by myself,because my friends were occupied with work or other stuff during the day.
        
        Bonne nuit!
      - http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
        
        You’re welcome
http://lasaloperie.blogspot.com/ Isa

It’s awesome when the people at a place know you! It looks super delicious and the photos are gorgeous – may I ask what camera you use and if you like it? (I’m looking to buy one soon-ish.)

http://lasaloperie.blogspot.com
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  For these photos I used my old Nikon D3100 with a 35 mm lens, which I think is a great camera for the amount of money that you spend!
Joan

Enjoyed your pictures. I stay within a block of Cafe Constant regularly. Returned the middle of Dec after a 5 week stay and I am heading back on Jan 10 and will return on Mar 19. I know all the restaurants in the area very well. I always stay in the western part of the 7th..St. Dominique, Rapp, Bourdonnais area. Always fun in PAris….
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Thank you! Yes it really is
http://twitter.com/HopeVarnedoe Hope Varnedoe

This place looks just fabulous. You’ve made me terribly hungry now, thank you.
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Haha, so sorry about that
Tara Lewis

Hello Carin, lovely photos! What is the dish in the last photo? Thank you!
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Merci It’s an apple crumble pie!
tpf Sarah

The fish looks so yummy!
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Åh ja, det var den verkligen
http://twitter.com/Happy_Days_2012 Happy Days 2012

Because of you, I am definitely going to come here when I come to Paris next month. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Happy Days 2012
http://happydays2012.blogspot.com/
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Haha, great! I really hope you’ll like it
Sarah

Carin you make me like you more! I was browsing through my favorite forum (tpf) and found one of your posts! i adore your blog and wish to live in Paris for few months as well! good luck and keep posting!
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Haha, you’re so sweet, thank you! Welcome here
deborah

Did you already had lunch at bon marché ? it is a cozy little restaurant with super delicious food…
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  No I haven’t actually Thanks for the tip!