One of the images that most exemplifies the city of Paris is that of a homey, soft lighted bistro. Dominated by a vast zinc bar, waiters in long white aprons, and the aromas of roast chicken and garlic perfume the air. The cuisine is rustic, savory, and served generously. “La vie en rose” of Edith Piaf soothes your ears. It is a simple modest place where patrons and clients “tutoyer” each other. For many, bistro dining is the happiest and most cherished memories of the City of Light.
The origin of bistro or bistrot is difficult to define. One common explanation from Napoleon’s defeat of Waterloo in 1815 has Russian soldiers quickly filling the city’s cabarets and shouting “Bistro!Bistro! or “quick, quick.” Another explanation is that the word evolved from the progressive slang of the noun mastroquet, barkeeper, into bistroquet, then bistrotier, one who keeps a bistrot.
The allure of the bistro will always be its deep satisfying, down-to-earth cooking. The tangy vinaigrettes, the earthy ragout, soul enriching daubes, crispy duck fat fried potatoes, the creamy pot au creme. The menu reflects what is best in the market today and cooked simply. Les Halles at its best.
"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast."-Hemingway.
I agree Paris and rue Fondary will be with me for the rest of my life!!!
Menu for the Week:
Pate de campagne with pistachio(meat)
Duck breast proscuitto(meat)
Smith Family Farm Turkey leg braised in tomato(meat)
Couscous with Swiss chard, garlic, and olive(vegetarian)
Roasted fingerling potatoes, parsnips, and collard greens(vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free)
Red cabbage - radish coleslaw with lemon-ginger vinaigrette(vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Mushroom soup with thyme(vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free)
French onion tart(vegetarian)
Some Basic Kitchen Stables:(quart size containers)
all natural chicken stock
fish stock
beef stock
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