A resident of any big city - from Belgrade to Buffalo - believes that the restaurants and cafes of his homeland are the best. But in order to be called a restaurant capital, the level of development of the city's cuisine must be much higher than usual. The city should have both simple, cozy, homely establishments and pompous gourmet restaurants.

But to be called the restaurant capital, the level of development of the city's culinary must be much higher than usual. The city should have both simple, cozy, homely establishments and pompous gourmet restaurants.

The cities of France can no longer be considered the only culinary citadels either in the world or even in Europe. On the other hand, cities like Las Vegas, which, although they have countless restaurants, cannot be called culinary capitals, as they do not have unique culinary traditions... In authentic gastronomic capitals food culture evolved over the centuries.

With cosmic speed, new restaurants are appearing in cities that used to be considered culinary backyards... Berlin, Houston, Dublin and Athens are at the forefront of the best restaurant cities. And if New York, Paris, Rome, New Orleans, San Francisco and Tokyo have long been considered the best cities for gourmets, London, Hong Kong, Barcelona and Brussels became them quite recently. Their example motivates other cities not to imitate the best, but to try to invent something of their own, special.

With cheap air travel and ubiquitous internet access, the average restaurant can get all the groceries it needs from anywhere in the world. This gives cities the opportunity to become culinary capitals faster and easier than ever before.

What makes a city a restaurant capital?

To be called a great restaurant city, he should meet certain criteria:

There must be a certain critical mass of people willing to spend money on restaurants - both locals and tourists. These enthusiasts are constantly trying local dishes, classic and absolutely new food... New York, for example, has more four- and five-star restaurants than any other city in America. The three best ones are - Jean-Georges,PerSe,Masa.

There may be more historical sites in Lisbon and Oslo, but most of them visit these cities without thinking about their cuisine. At least there it is not at the forefront, as in San Francisco and Hong Kong. No one is going to Pennsylvania to enjoy local food. Even in Florence - the most sophisticated city in Italy - the restaurants are so monotonous and predictable that it is difficult to imagine a person who would go there for them alone. In other words, it is important that everyone admired local food. After all, in Rome and New Orleans, people think every day menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The best restaurants in town should really be the best in the world, not copies and not "stars of the second magnitude". In Paris, the best is worth the most money. The chefs give the influence of every little thing - so that the crust of the bread is crispy, the butter has the right temperature, and the puff pastry is moderately crumbly.

Parisians have always been masters haute cuisine... It is understandable that the French sighed in frustration when, in 2007, the authoritative Michelin guide has awarded Tokyo restaurants 191 stars and Parisian restaurants just 65. "Tokyo is the shining star of the world's culinary world," said the director of the directory Jean-Luc Nare(Jean-Luc Naret) announcing Tokyo the world capital of gourmets. And Los Angeles, once reputed to be a great restaurant city, was gradually losing ground, and by 2007 there was not a single two-star restaurant left in it.

The city should be unique cuisine that defines the food culture. It can be young, like hot dogs in New York, Greek kebabs, Japanese Kobe beef, or Neapolitan pizza. There must be separate microculture food- for example, a Serbian street where the best borek is made, a quarter of Russian Jews who bake the best gray bread, or a Turkish community that produces excellent yogurt.

In New York, this phenomenon is extremely widespread. The city must also make efforts to develop a gastronomic culture. An example is the holding of a festival San Gennaro in NYC, Day of the Dead in Mexico City, Oktoberfest in Munich. This historical heritage is the foundation and everything else is built on it. If Bangkok didn't exist street food culture, it would not inspire chefs around the world to apply it hot spices and vibrant colors in their restaurant kitchens. If there was no Tokyo fish market, there would be nothing to be surprised at by the whole world.

There must be a certain amount in the city top class restaurants quality standards, decor and luxury are as high as possible. When a restaurateur like Thomas Keller(Thomas Keller) and investors decide to invest $ 15 million in a 65-seat restaurant, or sommelier gets the opportunity to create wine Vault with a thousand types of wines, you know you are in a city where such things matter. There are people willing to pay for it.

In London today, the word "stunning" can rather describe the number of top class restaurants than anything else. Henry Togna(Henry Togna), owner of the fashionable 22 Jermyn Street hotel and author of the city's restaurant guide LondonDiningGuide, says that even a native resident can easily get confused in the choice of dishes, and a visitor - even more so. In a guidebook, he lists the best of the best restaurants that are very difficult to get to but must-see. Some have been waiting for their turn to dine there for years! Among such establishments, Togna lists such famous places as LeCaprice, TheIvy, Nobu and TheRiverCafé.

Gastronomic capitals of the world: top ten

New York

There are more than 26 thousand public catering establishments in the city, including 18 696 restaurants. Their total turnover is $ 12-15 billion per year. A significant part of this money is paid by 35 million tourists. In New York, you can spend $ 500 at a sushi bar Masa or pay just 20 for a full meal at a simpler establishment. Lunch in the city is just as important as lunch. The best places for lunch are Four Seasons Restaurant and 21 Club. And places like Michael's and the Regency Hotel Dining Room offer the finest breakfasts. Every area of ​​town is full of restaurants - look any street and see no less than six establishments, five of which have just opened.

London

The revolution in London gastronomy has been going on for about 20 years. It is driven by high rates of economic growth, an influx of immigrants and hundreds of young Britons entering the exciting restaurant game. The newcomers have made the city's once boring culinary scene interesting and dynamic. Presented as classic, old-fashioned restaurants like St.John "s as well as state-of-the-art, experimental venues such as FatDuck... Investors find the restaurant business attractive, and money flows like a river.

Paris

If Paris has lost some of its glory as a culinary capital, it is difficult to notice when looking at the crowded restaurant halls. Montparnasse, a cafe Montmart and gourmet restaurants throughout the city. The outskirts are full of ethnic eateries; bakery and chocolate shops thrive, quality standards unmatched. The fact that Paris has lost some of its magic can be partly blamed on chefs who are in no hurry to experiment. Yet, classic cuisine evolves slowly. Fortunately, she has such strengths that she is unlikely to ever lose her appeal.

Tokyo

Food in Tokyo is life... She expresses social status and professional position, perhaps even excessively. Find the rarest product, the most expensive sushi bar, to taste the rarest wines - part of the city's nervous system. But the true essence of culinary Tokyo is small eateries serving terriyaki, udon noodles, tempuro, yakitori, nabemono and eel dishes. The wealthy districts of Asakusa and Akasas surprise everyone with an incredible variety of food and drink.

Rome

Rome has always rightfully been considered the gastronomic capital - from the days of the extravagant table of emperors and feasts of the Renaissance to the 20th century. Modern Roman cuisine has been heavily influenced by traditional provincial dishes- Palermo, Naples, Bologna and Venice. All roads lead to Rome, and now they are packed with trucks delivering all the fruits, vegetables, fish and meat that can be found in the Mediterranean.

Hong Kong

For centuries, the city has been and remains the largest port - the gateway to Asia. Fragrant Cove(this is how Hong Kong is translated) introduces Asian cuisine to visitors from all over the world. In the old districts, you can find a huge number of establishments serving traditional asian food... They sit side by side with world-class French, Italian and Japanese restaurants. Numerous businessmen in the booming city always have a place to dine. Hong Kong is the place where every business begins and ends with a meal.

San Francisco

San Francisco has probably done a great food revolution than any other city. It started when Alice Waters(Alice Waters) launched a fight for freshness and ecological cleanliness products. A significant part of the city's population is made up of visitors from all over the world - and not least from China, Vietnam and Thailand, who brought novelty and exoticism to the local menu.

Add glory to everything wine region world significance, and the diversity of the city's food culture is becoming truly outstanding.

As noticed Patricia Untermann(Patricia Untermann) in the San Francisco Food Lover's Guide (2005), “The food we don't make, we import. The city is visited by more and more sophisticated gourmets. They come here not only to eat, but also to live and work. San Francisco residents never lack a variety of food when they come from a trip around the world. You can find dishes of any cuisine in the city ”.

New Orleans

Despite the fact that the city still has not fully recovered from the effects of the hurricane " Katrina", Restaurants" Bend towns Are still strong. According to an authoritative local publication “ Tom Fitzmorris's Food Bulletin»(Tom Fitzmorris" New Orleans Menu newsletter), there are 891 restaurants in the city, up from 809 before the hurricane. Commander "s Palace, Dooky Chase, Brennan" s and Emeril "s. This city lives and breathes food, and lunch can end at 6pm when cocktail time comes. Traditional New Orleans dishes are Creole cuisine, but over the past 25 years, establishments have appeared Cajun(French Louisiana), Italian and New American cuisine. The city is now strong in every culinary category.

Barcelona

Given the city's image as a youth paradise, choosing it as a culinary capital might seem odd. But in addition to your own colorful cuisine - from restaurants and cafes to establishments seafood at the docks - the city is the epicenter new spanish cuisine... She had a huge impact on culinary traditions both Europe and America.

Cutting-edge restaurants such as Abac, Evo and Comerç 24 coexist with classics such as El Racó d "en Freixa and Drolma. Foreign" newcomers "include Kansas (oddly Italian), Samoa (pizzeria), Brasserie Flo (a corner of Paris), Hippopotamus (grill), Chihuahua (Mexican food), Eljaponés (Japanese food).

Brussels

Brussels is one of the most important business cities Europe, and its importance to the global economy and politics makes it meet the highest culinary standards. There are numerous luxury establishments such as like Comme Chez Soi and Villa Lorraine, great seafood restaurants such as L "Ecallier du Palais Royal, tons of grills unusual in Europe, an impressive Italian sector and countless restaurants serving local cuisine. deep-fried mussels and waterza.

Food has long been regarded as a respected hobby, and is an incentive for the development of a separate area of ​​tourism - gastronomic. This is not just a journey through famous wine cellars and exotic restaurants for the jaded gluttons, but also a way to experience other cultures through local food.

Introducing the best cities in the world for gastronomic tourism... The list was compiled by gourmets from the editorial staff of the British edition of the Telegraph.

10. Bangkok, Thailand

To visit Bangkok and not order Pad Tai (noodles with fried tofu cheese, chicken fillet slices, peanuts, shrimps and bean sprouts, with tamarind sauce) is a crime against taste buds. Of the exotic gastronomic delights of Bangkok, fried insects can be noted.

9. New Orleans, USA

Famous for its oyster sandwiches called Po'Boy (short for poor boy). Once these sandwiches were eaten by poor Louisiana hard workers, and now they are served in fast food cafes and some restaurants. Also in the “visiting menu” of New Orleans it is worth including Louisiana gumbo - this is both soup and sauce at the same time. The city is home to a large Vietnamese community, so tourists have a chance to try the traditional Pho Bo - noodle and beef broth.

8. Lyon, France

In Lyon, the famous Lyon potatoes are prepared, chopped and fried with onions and parsley. Fans of a hearty breakfast should go to a bouchon (Lyon restaurant) and eat mashon - a dish of pork rinds, lamb, lentils, meat salad, cheese and sausage.

7. Bologna, Italy

Bologna is known in Italy as La Grassa ("fat man") for its delicious and satisfying food. The most popular are Bolognese sauce, boiled Mortadella sausage, prosciutto or dry-cured ham and Parmesan cheese.

6. Mendoza, Argentina

A huge steak "Asado" is cooked here, about which there are legends. Only men are engaged in its preparation, and meat is served with a very spicy chimichurri sauce. The city is surrounded by some of the country's finest wine estates.

5. New York, USA

The world's top 5 cities for food tourism tops America's culinary epicenter. Here you can taste dishes of various cuisines: Chinese, Indian, Russian, Latin American, African and many others. Hell's Kitchen is considered the gastronomic paradise of New York - the Manhattan area. It houses 8 of the city's favorite eateries, including The Brooklyn Kitchen and Blue Bottle Coffee.

4. Jaipur, India

The ranking of the best places for gourmet tourists continues to be one of the few cities where the favorite food of the Rajputs, an aristocratic military class, is served. Fans of spicy foods should try Lal Maas, a spicy lamb dish (45 chili peppers per kg of meat).

3. London, UK

The UK may not have always been famous for its cuisine, but the English capital is now home to some of the best restaurants in the world. Many immigrant communities have contributed to the variety of their menus, and Indian cuisine in London is considered one of the best in the world.

2. Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi's old city center beckons to taste the spices and flavors of Vietnamese cuisine with the perfect balance of salty, sweet and sour flavors. Freshly prepared dishes are sold on the streets of Hanoi, such as the vietburger (a baguette filled with pâté with herbs and cucumber) and nyok mam, a fish sauce that smells awful and tastes great. And coffee lovers will have a chance to taste coffee with egg yolk.

1. Tokyo, Japan

As the political center of Japan for over four centuries, Tokyo has had a major influence on Japanese cuisine. Some local dishes have become so popular that other cities are now claiming their "authorship". Those who have visited Tokyo for the purpose of gastronomic tourism may like buckwheat soba noodles, soup of sumo wrestlers "Tyanko-nabe" and "Tsukudani" - small fish and shellfish with soy sauce and sweet rice wine. The city also has themed cafes with maids and butlers, and cafes where you can play with pets (cats, decorative rabbits).

Ger is a warm happy land known for a calm and measured life. And because of its hilly landscapes, it is often called Little Tuscany. The diverse nature and rich culinary traditions have made the region a gastronomic mecca in France. Gascony, the birthplace of D'Artagnan, is also famous for its festivals. The cheerful and generous province will not leave indifferent those who want to enjoy French cuisine, music, history, culture and nature. An inexhaustible source of happiness!

A place where life is always good

Each season in Gers is beautiful in its own way: natural colors transform the already breathtaking views. Hilly landscapes full of light overlook vineyards and sunflower fields. The region is equally enjoyable to explore on foot, by bike or on horseback. Gascony has everything for outdoor activities, whether it's fishing, golf or just a walk in the garden.

Gers will meet fans of French culture with numerous castles, museums and villages dotted with historical monuments. Here are the major cultural attractions of the Pyrenees-South: Marsyak, Osh and Flaran Abbey. The Saint-Jacques-de-Cospostelle path runs through the most picturesque places of Gers and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A vacation in Gascony is also an opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful villages in France: Furses, Larrsengle, Lavardan, Montreal and Sarran.

Gastronomy

The cuisine of the southwest of France is known all over the world. The region's trademark is poultry dishes: the most delicious confit duck legs, fried bird breasts and foie gras are served here. What else? Black pork, Gascon soup with cabbage and goose meat, chicken stew in a pot and duck breast "a la Rossini" with duck liver sauce.

Lovers of sweets will surely appreciate the traditional Gascon drink pastis with vanilla apples, pie with apples or prunes, and crusade, a dessert made of corn with cinnamon and caramel. In Gera, delicious honey is made from acacia, chestnuts and sunflowers.

Numerous local wines and other beverages are perfect complements to your meal: the legendary Armagnac, Floc de Gascogne, Saint-Mont, Madiran, Pacherenc, Côtes de Gascogne and Condomois wines, all produced under the Vignobles et découvertes (Vineyards and Discovery) brand. Bons Crus d'Artagnan ".

There are many markets in Gers, ranging from traditional to quirky night markets. Specialized markets (marchés au Gras) sell the freshest poultry and foie gras from local farmers.

Condom-en-Armagnac

Condom-en-Armagnac is famous for its landscapes. Formerly a bishopric city, it is located on Theranesa, the oldest road linking Bordeaux with the central Pyrenees so that the traveler does not have to cross bridges or board a boat.

The city is dominated by the majestic Cathedral of St. Peter, an example of French late Gothic architecture. The main 40-meter square tower of the cathedral can be seen from anywhere in Condom. The architectural ensemble of the old town combines medieval buildings with mansions from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. And the pretty villages adjacent to Kondom are famous for their landscapes and excellent vineyards.

Condom thrives on the production of Armagnac. There is a whole museum dedicated to the national drink. Armagnac can be tasted in numerous wine cellars, wineries or farms.

Osh

The historic capital of Gascony stands on the west bank of the Gers River. Its upper and lower parts are connected by a monumental staircase of 374 steps and very narrow medieval streets ("pousterles").
The main attraction of Osh is the Cathedral of St. Mary. Construction began in 1489 and was completed only 200 years later. The cathedral is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an important part of the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostel Path. The walls of Sainte-Marie are decorated with stained-glass windows painted by local artist Arnaud de Mol, and they offer beautiful views of the city. The cathedral has a large seventeenth-century organ.

Osh hosts major contemporary art festivals: Indépendance et Création and the International Festival of Contemporary Circus Art in October, the Marciak Jazz Festival in July-August and the Eclats de voix music festival in June.

In the footsteps of d "Artanyan

The hero of the "Three Musketeers" Dumas d "Artagnan, aka Charles de Baz, really existed! The famous musketeer of King Louis XV - a native of Gers and the pride of the region. D'Artagnan was born in the castle of Castelmore near Lupiac. It is especially lively here in summer, during the festival d "Artagnana, which has been taking place since 2012. It's a big fun celebration with delicious food and costumes from the Musketeer era.

In Lupiac there is the Museum d'Artagnana. The old chapel, converted into a museum in 1998, formerly served as a hospice for pilgrims on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle Route. where you can learn the history of d'Artagnan in just one day.

This ancient city in the southeast of France attracts almost 6 million tourists every year, a third of whom are foreigners. In Lyon - the second largest city in the country - they come mainly to ... have a delicious meal.

Lyon is often called the capital of the world's gastronomy. The city has been bearing this unofficial title for a long time and by right. The local cuisine is renowned for the combination of culinary tradition and know-how performed by brilliant chefs. Gourmets have more than two thousand restaurants at their disposal, 15 of which are Michelin-starred.

To introduce you exclusively to Lyon products, we go to the famous Le Hal Paul Bocuse market. Not only residents and guests of the city shop here. Restaurant chefs from all over the country flock here for ingredients for their dishes and, of course, "bouchons" - typical Lyon restaurants with a unique recipe and atmosphere.

The tour is led by Mathieu Vianet, a well-known chef in Lyon's La Mère Brazier restaurant, both in France and abroad. “If you imagine Lyon as a living organism, then Le Hal is definitely his stomach,” he begins his story. “Ducks and guinea fowls are simply gorgeous here. Look what a gorgeous plumage! All this is packed and sewn by hand. If you remove the fabric, you will see a lot, a lot of fat all over the carcass. Just delicious! ”.

Les Halles is also a real paradise for smoked sausage lovers. But the sweet tooth will not be left without dessert. The most "Lyons" of them is a sweet roll, which is made from brioche dough, mixed with praline.

It is noteworthy that Lyon cuisine owes its fame to ... women. La Mère Brazier is a prime example of this. It was opened by Hégeny Brazier in 1921. She, like many other women who were involved in the culinary arts in those days, is at the origins of Lyon's cuisine.

It is to this restaurant that Mathieu Vianet takes us. “As we say, they cook here not with water, but with butter and cream. Because this is Lyon cuisine! ”Says the chef. Today, La Mère Brazier sacredly preserves ancient traditions, but combines them with culinary novelties. Lyon's andouiette sausages, Norman oysters, Breton biscuits, foie gras ... - on the menu there are only masterpieces of French cuisine. Add some butter, crème fraîche, some caviar and a couple of cucumber leaves to the Lyon biscuit to give the dish a light oyster flavor. Voila, the signature dish is ready. And there is hardly a second place in the world where you can try it.

Where are future chefs trained? was founded a quarter of a century ago by the famous Lyon chef, after whom it was named. This institution also trains specialists in the hotel and restaurant business. Students work in conditions as close as possible to real ones, preparing traditional French dishes for the institute restaurant. At the same time, local suppliers are always preferred when choosing products.

“Our region has everything: from poultry from Bress to wild mushrooms. We have morels, chanterelles, porcini mushrooms. The local produce is very varied and of good quality, ”explains Davi Tissot, chef and lecturer at the Bocuse Institute.

It happens that the menu contains masterpieces of world cuisine. In this case, chefs allow themselves to experiment a little. “These are dumplings made according to a recipe from Florence,” says Davi Tissot. - Italian-style dumplings are made from veal. I fantasized a bit and added langoustines. I try not to forget the elements of traditional Lyon cuisine. But in Lyon, this dish is made from pike meat and panada bread soup. And with us it turned out to be lighter, more airy ”. In his opinion, gourmets increasingly prefer less high-calorie food, but one with more taste and aromas. The portions here are by no means gigantic, but very satisfying.

Nous souhaitons un Joyeux anniversaire à Monsieur Paul!

If you ask where the most delicious food and the most luxurious restaurants are, then many will answer: "In Paris!"

In France, the development of the culinary art (it cannot be called anything other than art) has reached an extraordinary height. If fate has brought you to France, for example, to Paris, starving yourself to save money is a real crime against your body. You have to be in Paris, you have to eat in Paris!

So, if you are not averse to a bite to eat, let's look around. In the Notre-Dame Cathedral area, pay attention to the Vieux Bistro restaurant (Rue Cloitre Notre-Dame, 14). This solid establishment close to the cathedral enjoys a good reputation among connoisseurs. The interior of the restaurant is somewhat gloomy, but quite organic. Here they perfectly cook classic French cuisine: beef fillet in sauce, burgundy meat, casserole "a la do dauphinouis", taten pie and profiteroles. A multi-course lunch will cost you about $ 40-50. Take your time to exclaim: "How expensive!" You may be willing to pay a lot more for spending time in a gastronomic paradise with the most delicious gastronomic gifts. We certainly didn’t miss the opportunity to "climb to heaven" and ordered beef Burgundy. How these fragrant pieces stewed in red wine with spices and the most tender brisket and apple-vanilla cake (a recipe from the times of Louis XIV) are now remembered!

As we passed the Sorbonne, we heard the students make a loud lunch appointment. Let's go with them to the Marais quarter, to the Tryumilou restaurant (84 Hotel de Ville embankment). This large restaurant is popular with students and those with a narrow wallet. The furnishings are modest and the prices are reasonable. The menu contains simple yet surprisingly delicious dishes: pate, eggs with mayonnaise, lamb legs, duck with prunes and excellent apple cakes. Have you eaten? Then take out your wallet and count out about $ 20. Great? And how!

If you want to try more savory dishes, and besides, you have the opportunity to spend ten dollars more, then look for the nearby restaurant "Alizier" (st. Montmorency, 26). In this restaurant, chef Jean-Luc Dodeman treats original and elaborate dishes: savory snails (in batter or fried in the oven) with vegetable ragout "ratatouille", smoked salmon and duck salad, small tuna escalopes and chicken with rosemary and ginger. This restaurant is small, but it has two rooms. The hall on the ground floor is more like a bistro. Exquisite decoration of the second floor - in the style of Louis XVI. A set menu will cost less than ordering with a card, but it will not be inferior to it in quality. I surreptitiously peep at what my neighbor at the table on the right is so appetizingly crushing, completely forgetting about her huge dog St. Bernard. Aha! This is chicken with aromatic herbs. A very lively waiter willingly "splits": Monsieur chef loves rosemary. I order just such a golden carcass and, on the advice of the waiter, gladly supplement it with fried potatoes with French mustard sauce (hmm!) And Bergerac rosé wine.

Let's say you walked around the Beaubourg quarter, bought gifts at the Central Market, and, of course, got hungry. Don't be surprised if your feet will take you to the pretty Ble Marine restaurant (7 Leopold Bella Street). The small menu of this restaurant is updated from season to season. Specialties: marinated sardines, profiteroles with sturgeon, sea trout with basil. The walls of this culinary paradise, lacquered in ivory and decorated with a multitude of colors, create an environment that is as enjoyable as food. And for all these pleasures, taking into account the three meals eaten, they will charge you about $ 25-35.

Only we, already spoiled by the previous "feeding troughs", carried our tired bodies across the threshold, when we were picked up, a young man reminiscent of Belmondo in his youth swirled in a waltz of descriptions of dishes: "What do you want? Everything for you! Choose!" My husband pokes at the menu, pointing to the profiteroles (he would never have left France without trying them), and I am eager to get rid of the trout, comparing it to Sochi (5: 1 in favor of the French one cooked in CHAMPAGNE!). And on top we put pancakes with orange honey and rose petals under powdered sugar.

In the unforgettable beauty of the Tuileries quarter, we will definitely drop by the Gaia restaurant (17 Dufo street). "Why?" - you ask. The fact is that this restaurant is famous for its delicious fish dishes and a huge selection of seafood. Type: canapes with anchovy paste, radish and watercress for a snack (serving - a work of art!); on the first - fish soup in Marseilles (especially for us, the chef adds saffron to it), on the second - the most tender salmon meat with salad. The cook (we learn from the waiter that he adores Russians) recommends a bottle of magnificent Beaujolais. Young wine adds to the already wonderful mood. Until now, we fondly remember the delicious food and the hall on the ground floor, tiled with beautiful Portuguese tiles.

The Grand Louvre restaurant in the Louvre is a real miracle. He proves once again that any art only enhances the other, and culinary masterpieces perfectly complement the masterpieces of da Vinci, Delacroix, Ingres. Just imagine: the restaurant is located under a large glass pyramid that serves as the entrance to the Louvre. Its austere wood and steel finishes are in perfect harmony with the glass structure. And the menu includes traditional dishes from the south-west of France, masterfully performed by one of the best chefs of this region, André Dagen: stuffed goose neck, goose liver, beef stew, ice cream with prunes in Armagnac. We are sitting at a table, leafing through an album with reproductions of the Louvre, and waiting for our order. It contains only real masterpieces. Goulash with bernaise sauce - for me, chateaubriand with colbert sauce - for an over-picky spouse (he gave this dish a "5" with a hundred pluses). For dessert, we chose a delicious French pudding, delighted with the relatively low prices for such an incomparable delicious treat.

In Paris, I fell madly in love with Parisian ham. I ordered it in a cafe for coffee, I took sandwiches only with it, filled the ham and just like that, but always with a piece of the most delicate butter. And I "got acquainted" with this ham in a cafe near the Pantheon. We went to Crepes a Gogo (12, rue Soufflot) looking for something hot. The bell at the entrance rang, and the hostess of the hall led us to a table by the window overlooking the Pantheon. I absent-mindedly ordered onion soup and when the girl asked "With cheese?" I nodded without hesitation. After a couple of minutes, we decided that we didn't want to add cheese to the soup, which we informed the waiter about. Oh, those French courtesy, attention and all the other positive qualities! While we were waiting for the soup, another waiter appeared in the hall. With a fabulous smile, he set a huge salad platter on the table. On skillfully laid out leaves of various shapes and several colors (there were even leaves in the form of lace!) There were slices of pink color, smelling: (I cannot say otherwise) divine. The ham melted in my mouth, and the number of pieces diminished rapidly. And I was in heaven! I'll be back. Keep a good supply of ham for me.

The restaurant "Haut Chapantier" (Rue Mabillon, 10) in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarter is popular with students and residents of nearby houses. This traditional bistro is perfect for veal in tomato and egg sauce and à la mod beef. There is always a large selection of pastries. The prices are not high. This is partly why the restaurant is always full. In general, it's a real problem to get into restaurants of this type after 20:00: the French literally occupy them, making dates, discussing problems. We came here early to sit until closing time and observe the taste preferences of the "frogs". No, they did not eat frogs, but mostly they took something solid. On this day, steamed veal was brought in, and the people were "loaded" with a dish called "for five tastes." This is a casserole of finely chopped veal, fried pork, boiled and uncooked smoked ham, curd cheeses, eggs and various herbs with tomatoes. Many (and this is already a tradition) sit for a couple of hours with a cup of coffee. It is quite expensive: $ 1-1.5 for just 50 ml. But the smooth French speech, the smells of perfume, the lovely charm of the Parisians do not let go until midnight:

The opening of the elegant restaurant "Rotisri d'an-fas" (Kristin St., 2) was a sensation. Excellent value for money made the restaurant popular even among the wealthy people. The crowd rushes here for reasonably priced set menus that include, for example, grilled chicken with mashed potatoes, toasted salmon in spinach and chocolate-covered profiteroles. People come here to look at the French fashion of the current season and drink wine. After a couple of glasses of white from Provence or red wine from Anjou, you want to buy up all the scarves and boots seen on chic fashion models.