If you have a Facebook account, you’re probably familiar with the obnoxious “On This Day” pop-ups that flood your News Feed. What’s supposed to be a fun jaunt through memory lane, usually produces one of the following reactions:
- On This Day – 8 years ago: “That’s an embarrassing choice… Aaaaand deleted!”
- On this Day – 5 years ago: That was such a great concert. But why did I feel the need to record this song on my phone? You can barely see the stage and the audio is awful. Put your phone back in your bag, girl!
- On this Day – 1 year ago: “That vacation was so fun! I want to go back – now!
Basically, your two options are mild embarrassment or a little bit of envy about whatever you were doing on that particular day. These past few weeks, my news feed has been showing me all of the awesome things my fella and I did on our European trip to Ireland, Scotland, England, and France last May. Namely, all the delicious things we were eating and drinking along the way. The trip also happened to coincide with my 30th birthday, and what girl doesn’t want to ring in that milestone in Paris? It’s safe to say I’m having some serious wanderlust looking at all of our photos again, particularly the delicious things we ate in Paris.
Parisian Food
Though each of the stops along our journey were filled with awesome regional eats, it really doesn’t get better than Parisian food. Each meal was a memory to be savored and we heartily indulged in the local fare. To be fair, we were putting some serious miles in on foot so the wine and cheese were well-earned. Though we did a hefty amount of walking on each leg of our trip, I think we ended up clocking over 13 miles in one day in Paris! We opted to limit our Uber rides to a minimum and save that $$ for tasty things to eat there and bring back with us.
Hot crepes filled with Nutella and sugar with lemon that we ate for breakfast while we walked to Les Catacombes.
A breakfast of fresh croissants while we people-watched at a cafe around the corner from the Airbnb we rented in Le Marais.
A wood fired steak and bottle of red in Le Marais at Robert et Louise before seeking out craft cocktails at the speakeasy-style Experimental Cocktail Club.
A mandatory stop at atleast one macaron shop per day where I happily plopped a rainbow of meringue cookies flavored with rose, lavender, caramel, and orange into my mouth. Though Ladurée is the most famous, the macarons at Pierre Hermé were our favorite.
Afternoon stops at sidewalk cafes for a glass of Rosé and a Kronenbourge 1664 beer. Citrus and chocolate chip gelato that we ate while strolling through the streets on the unseasonably warm nights.
A birthday dinner of sliced cucumber salad with fresh goat cheese and baskets of bread that we dunked in piping-hot fondue at Pain Vin Fromages.
Escargot and cassoulet that we devoured on more than one night while sitting at impossibly tiny tables squashed together on the sidewalk, and lots and lots of wine. Our two favorite meals while in Paris were at La Fontaine de Mars and Comptoir de la Gastronomie.
This excellent wine flight with cheese and charcuterie is from Ô Chateau. We didn’t make it to one of their more in-depth cellar classes, but it’s on our list for our next visit.
My favorite travel hacks for bringing purchases home
I knew I wanted to bring an assortment of Parisian food and wine home with me so I packed all of my travel belongings into a medium-sized suitcase that nestled into a larger suitcase that I planned to unstack and fill with items to bring back. It was a convenient way to avoid paying for and separately carting around the extra empty bag while we hopped through 4 countries. I honestly don’t know how we managed to keep the two bags nestled together until the end of our trip, because we bought several goodies before we ever made it to France.
I purchased a stack of wine diapers (yes, you read that right) similar to these to protect our bottles of wine, Champagne (and whisky from Scotland) on the journey back. They provide a small amount of padding around the bottles and are sealed to help keep the liquid from ruining your belongings if the bottle does end up being mishandled in transit. Though we packed extra clothing around the bottles once diapered for more security, these bags really helped take the stress off wondering if my belongings were going to come back stained wine red.
In addition to our spoils from Ireland, Scotland, and England, we arrived home with suitcases full of carefully wrapped bottles of red wine from the Côtes du Rhône, grower Champagne, orange-flavored chocolates, an assortment of colorful Lauderee Macarons, and a large jar of Edmond Fallot Dijon Mustard that ended up being one of my favorite Parisian food purchases made on the entire trip.
Europe in my kitchen
When we arrived back home I was so excited to get back into the kitchen and dream up dishes inspired by our trip. Our adventures in Scotland definitely influenced this rich and hearty Salmon with Whisky Cream Sauce and Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower which is a favorite Keto dish of ours in the colder months, pairing well with a snifter of scotch to warm the cockles of your heart on a chilly night.
Now that the weather is warming up, I’m excited to apply the same inspiration to some delicious warm-weather dishes that might better pair with a crisp rosé. My French Chicken Salad is one of my favorite ways to pay homage to the light floral and citrus notes that were so prevalent on our trip to Paris.
A note about my diet when I travel
The recipes on this blog are predominantly grain-free and refined sugar-free because that’s the way we choose to eat at home. Though each person is different, for my own particular body this type of diet makes me feel my best. When I travel, I leave myself some room to bend the rules (sometimes hard) when it comes to the types of food I eat. I can’t always guarantee that whatever I eat will make me feel great later (hello bloated bread belly), but for me specifically, sometimes the baguette is worth eating.
This post is so giving me wanderlust! It looks like you had such an amazing (and delicious) time in Paris!
I can totally relate to the facebook memories thing ahha some are so embarrassing! And beautiful photos of your trip to Paris!! Everything is delightful!
Oh my gosh! That is whole load of awesome looking food! I’ve never been to Paris. I would love to go sometime!
Food in Paris is top notch. I went a few years ago and wish I would have known about more places.
Everything in this post looks delicious, you are making me want to book a trip to Paris just for the food now! Those macaroons look amazing!
~xo Sheree
poshclassymom.com
Those macarons!!!!! Total bucket list item for me!!! Every single thing looks so fabulous. I can’t wait to get to Paris someday!
We went to Paris on our honeymoon and this is so taking me back. It’s such a beautiful city and the food is delicious
This made me so hungry looking at this! I’ve been dying to go there and taste all their foods!
OMG, I love this post! All of the food looks amazing, but your birthday dinner is seriously to die for.
Great post! The food looks so delicious and I love the massive wine pours!
Oh man, serious envy here. Haven’t been to Paris in 16 years and I am dying to go back. This trip looks like a foodie dream!!
Looks like you really enjoyed your time there! Last time I was in Paris was over 10 years ago. Between reading this post and realizing how long it’s been, I think I need to book a trip soon!
Beautiful views and delicious food! Sounds like the perfect place to visit!
Such a fun trip! Paris is one of my most favorite cities. So many special events have happened there for me!
That is how I want to enjoy Paris one day!!
Everything looks so good!
LOVE all of your food choices. We just got back from Paris this week and the macs are a must!
We were in Paris almost 2 years ago and I felt like I was home. The food was amazing and the desserts and wine – even better. Loved Lauderee and Angelica’s.
Oooooooooo take me back there NOW!!!! I’m having major longing to be overseas right now. Everything is better in Paris. So much deliciousness in one place. Lol I remember eating a baguette at the airport after a ridiculously long travel day, and it was legit the best thing I ever tasted.
I know, even the simple food you can find in the airport is magical!
That’s the way to travel, through your stomach. I want to do that in the future.
French food is the most delicious I swear. I could spend forever eating there!
I have never been to Paris but it’s on my list of places to visit. Now I really want to go!!
This post has made me miss paris so much. We ate some incredible food whilst we were there – so much delicious cheese and bread.
This is a great culinary tour through Paris! I would love to sit in this breakfast cafe, nibble on one of these incredibly flaky looking croissants and people watch with my friends!
sounds like a wonderful and tasty trip! I need to get back to Paris
WHOA, I have always wanted to visit Paris! And of course eat and drink my way through it too! Your experience looked amazing!
My goodness you sure did have fun. This post literally has a spread of deliciousness. I like that you leave room for enjoyment when you travel that way you can have fun without obsessing about a diet.
This is a dream! My fiance would go crazy over that steak and I’d love just about everything else (I can’t bring myself to eat snails lol)!
Oh wow! It sounds like you really did eat your way through Paris! So many yummy dishes!
Oh my goodness! So much delicious food. It makes me miss Paris! Great travel hacks too!
Paris is my favorite city in the world, and I simply can’t get enough of it! Eating through Paris is simply a dream and is the main thing I do when I visit Paris (mostly sweets though). Looks like such a perfect visit!
Looks like you had a great time, I find Paris is so inconsistent when it comes to food and you really do need to choose carefully. Looks like you did a great job!
I’m so jealous! What an awesome experience… so much deliciousness! Also great tips for enjoying all the yummy foods while traveling!
Paris has always been my dream to visit. This food looks delicious.
I love looking back on memories. It always fills you with such good feeling. This trip looks and sounds amazing! I hope to be so lucky, to one day travel overseas. The food looks to die for.
Oh this post so has me missing Paris! I will have to bookmark this for the next time I go. And love your photos really brings your trip and and the city to life here!
Allie of ALLIENYC
http://www.allienyc.com
There is nothing like Parisian food! I was SO excited to visit Laduree when I was there that I waited half an hour to order. They’re amazing.
I’ve never been to Paris, but it looks amazing! Also definitely just had lunch… But mouth is definitely watering now, so thanks for that! 😉
Paris is on my bucket list! It looks like you had some amazing food!
Oh, this makes me miss Paris SO much!!! I loved the pastries when visiting there.
All the food from appetizers to the crepes to all the dessert looks amazing! What a fabulous trip. I’m sure it was a real foodie adventure.
wow this is a dream come true! Paris and then all fabulous food, treats and best wine I am in. Paris no doubt is the place for foodies best food ever. Thanks for the inspiration and tips.
Oh wow, you have made this girl very envious. I think my favorite part would be eating croissants and people watching. I bet that trip was amazing.
I love when embarrassing ones come up, I always get a laugh out of it.
Serious food envy right now! I was trying to figure out what looked best but every single thing is making me drool.
Ugh.. I can relate to Facebook’s “On This Day”!
So much delicious food!! 🙂
This post is making ME jealous! lol This looks like such an incredible time and such delicious food and oh, those crepes! I’m drooling!
I love eating my way through any city, but Paris must be a dream!! The crepes and macaroons, alone, are enough to send me into a food coma. 😉 Amd I agree, the baguette is almost always worth a bloated belly! Lol
Completely jealous!!! What an amazing culinary trip. We understand the whole dietary changes that happen on holiday and some times you just need to do it so that you have the chance.
It looks like you had an amazing culinary adventure! I haven’t made it to Paris yet, but eating my way through the city sounds like a great way to get to know it! ?
Ugh, all these photos make me want to go back to Paris! Last time I was there (over 10 years ago!) I didn’t have the best foodie experience, so I’d love to go back for a food tour! xo, Brittany Nicole | http://www.theblistblog.com
Escargots kind of freak me out, but everything else looks delcious
That steak looks unreal but everything sounds yummy
Wow, your photos are gorgeous! Not to mention the food! Now I want to go back to Paris… but may have to settle for making some lemon & sugar crepes at home today. A good Plan B ?
The food looks delicious! I love Parisian bakeries 🙂
All of this food looks so incredible. Parisian food has always been one of my favorites!
OMG this post is making me want to go back to Paris ASAP! We were there last year and had the tastiest food! I’m jealous you stopped by that macaron shop! It was on my list, but we ran out of time!