Saturdays, St. Germain and Tasting Wine

Saturdays, St. Germain des Prés and wine! Celebrate your weekend with a visit to the wonderful small but very select wineshop, Le Dernier Goutte. On Saturdays, generally from 11 to 2 and 3;30 to 6-ish a winemaker from one of the top quality, smaller scale regional French vineyards will be on hand to chat and offer generous samples of their wines. Le Dernier Goutte (the last drop) is a shop that features wines from up and coming and well-know French wine regions with an emphasis on the Southwest, Rhone and other lesser-known appelations. Many of the wines are organic, in keeping with the strong interest in wines that are as true as possible to terroir and which hue to the greenest possible production principles. This is a gem of a wine shop. Informative bi-lingual staff and well chosen wines. And, complimentary tastes on Saturdays!
6 rue de Bourbon le Chateau, 6th
Phone: 011 33 1 43 29 11 62

The Source for Cheese and Charcuterie in Paris!

If you love redolent cheese, chosen from the vast array of French cheese and other European cheeses, head to Fil O Fromage the next time you are in Paris. This shop, run by the charming and highly skilled Cherif Bourbit, is a gem. Read my article published March 7, '10 on Bonjour Paris. And go!

http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/veritable-tour-de-fromage-13th/

Lyon: The Culinary Capital of France?

Lyon is a fabulous city, well worth a visit on its own substantial merits, and easy to visit in combination with Burgundy or with a trip to the South of France from Paris. Thanks to la Maison de la France I had the delicious opportunity to visit Lyon and the Rhone Alpes region for three days this spring. I was reminded all over again what a delight this town is. Lyon is a city of engaging neighborhoods, characterful 'bouchons' full of piggy delights, a fabulous permanent food market named in honor of legendary Lyonnais chef Paul Bocuse, and, terrific marché volants. There are two well preserved Roman amphitheatres on the Fourviere Hill, both used for concerts, festivals and special events. There is a delightful Renaissance-era quarter. There are top bakers and chocolate makers. The house wines tend to be fruity beaujolais, from the nearby countryside. The city straddles the Rhone and Saone rivers with innumerable pretty bridges and broad quais to stroll. Add to this a palpable joie de vivre and a relaxed spirit that begins to hint of the French south, and you have a lovely city to explore and enjoy.

Oysters and a crisp white wine are Winter weekend bliss

Here is one of my favorite off the beaten path spots, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays. Le Baron Bouge, 1 Theophile Roussel, just steps from the lively Place d'Aligre market and rue d'Aligre market street, is a gem of a winebar. A true 'market bar' of the unfussy sort, shoppers and lucky neighborhood residents spill into the Baron Bouge after marketing to enjoy a glass of wine from a good long list, share a cheese or charcuterie platter and enjoy conversation. There are very few places to sit be forewarned! This is a place to stow those shopping bags, find a corner of an upended wine barrel and soak up the atmosphere. In winter, there is a particular treat in store. On winter weekends an oysterman from Cap d'Archachon (near Bordeaux) sets up long tables outside the Baron Bouge and sells platters of oysters (3 sizes) at prices that border on charitable. You can also buy unopened oysters to take away. A douzaine or half douzaine, some rye bread and butter, a glass of dry white wine and change remaining in your pocket. Heaven indeed. Nearest metro is Ledru Rollin. About a 10 minute walk into the 11th beyond Bastille.