Of all the places I haven't been to, Paris is the place I haven't been to the most. But my Food for Thought co-conspirator Nancy Leson is just back from the City of Light and boy, did she eat.
"We rented a little apartment and mostly we'd just go out every day and every night, and find little places to sit and drink coffee and a glass of rose, and eat dinner and [things] like that," she said.
One of her favorite spots was one she and husband, Mac, had passed up 20 years before due to the long lines — L'as du Fallafel, supposedly the best falafel joint in the world. I was dubious about how good any falafel could be, but Nance was emphatic.
"It can be really good when there's incredible condiments on it, and homemadeharissa and smoky eggplant," said Nancy. "It was the best falafel in the world."
After seeing the picture (posted above), I'm inclined to agree. And Nancy's son, Nate, says that falafel was his favorite thing he ate the entire trip.
"He said, 'Have fun on the plane, because I'm not going back' after he ate it," said Nancy.
For a jaw-dropping/breaking account of almost-superhuman Parisian feeding, may I recommend A.J. "I can write better than anyone who writes faster, and faster than anyone who writes better" Liebling's Between Meals: An Appetite for Paris.
Fun With Dick And Nancy
Look into our upcoming Food for Thought Happy Hour. We'll have eats, drinks, food music, chefs live onstage doing their thing, plus a live "Food for Thought" recording session. We'll have a good time. But don't delay. This one's selling out fast, just as I've always longed to do.
“In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport.”
– Julia Child
