Given that I have been lucky enough to travel to Paris for three reasons (yes, another list: friends, food and art), I spend a good deal of time figuring out how to maximize my time in each of those three areas. And since friends and art can be organized around food as well, that category benefits the most. So here's the list:
- Croissant au beurre (as opposed to croissant ordinaire -- this distinction is important, and the best ones come from places which offer both, and thus give you the option of having the extra-indulgent, greasy, and wonderfully luscious type)
- Ossau Iraty cheese from Androuet or really any good fromagerie
- Poulet de Bresse on the rotisserie at the local boucherie
- Crepes (sweet ones on the street -- au buerre sucre, au nutella et bananas; and savory buckwheat ones in a breton or normand restaurant -- au jambon et fromage, with or without the oeuf)
- Duck confit (try Les Philosophes in the Marais, which does it with a honey and spice combination that is sweet and salty at the same time)
- Falafel from L'As du Falafel in the Marais
- Fines claires numero 6 (the smallest oysters I've been able to find; have a lemon and some mignonette handy)
- Pate de campagne from a local boucherie (or Le Comptoir in the 7e - best I've found)
- Hand-made chocolates from Michel Cluizel in the 1e
- Berthillon ice cream on Ile St. Louis
What do you love to eat in Paris?
My list of honorable mentions:
- Tartine at the boulangerie: great baguette, sea-salted butter from Brittany, and myrtilles (blueberry) jam
- Croque madame at almost any brasserie
- Quiche Lorraine with salade verte
- Pizza at San Remo in the 17e (add an egg for a Southern French style)
- Coquilles St. Jacques (scallops) at Violon d'Ingres
- Tartes from Fauchon
- 24-month aged Tomme de Savoie cheese
- Assiettes de saucissons secs and jambon (again Le Comptoir stands out in this regard, but you can always collect a fun sampling at a local butcher)
- Roasted potatoes with extra drippings from aforementioned rotisserie chicken at the boucherie
