Goofy Questions

For the first time in 22 years, I will be going to Paris and renting an apartment instead of a hotel room, so I have a couple of silly questions, probably mostly for locals. Staying in a hotel, there are certain things one takes for granted, but now I have to do a little research.

1) When I go to the Franprix close to my apartment on day one to buy coffee, what kind would you suggest? In the states, I use an espresso bean %26amp; grind for my regular morning brewed coffee, so I%26#39;m looking for something strong, but typically French, and I have no idea what brand name I should look for, and since I%26#39;m only there for two weeks, I want to get it right the first time....not a lot of time for trial and error.

2) While we%26#39;re there, I%26#39;m going to take full advantage of the fact that I have a kitchen and markets nearby, but I want to buy a few herbs and spices to cook with. I%26#39;m staying in Montmartre, very near the Sacre Coeur on the south side, a few blocks from Lepic/Abesses. Is there a particular place you%26#39;d recommend for herbs %26amp; spices? or will the Franprix have the basics?

3) If anyone has stayed (or lives) in that area and knows of some Patisserie, Charcuterie, Boulangerie, etc., that have good reputations, I%26#39;m eager to hear your suggestions.

I typically stay in the QL, so this area is all new to me except for the occassional visit to the SC, so all thoughts are welcome.

Je vous remercie a l%26#39;avance...AC

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My personal preferences:

1. Carte Noire

2. a. Herbes de Provence (works well with many foods).

b. Fines Herbes (great in omelettes)

3. Look for people standing in line, always a good sign.

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Thanks Sarastro...just to clarify for all, I%26#39;m not necessarily looking to be educated on the type of spices or herbs to buy, just where I can buy them. And for as long as I can remember, there%26#39;s always been a line that runs out the door at the McDo on r. de Rennes in front of Gare Montparnasse, so that%26#39;s not exactly what I%26#39;m looking for either. If anyone can offer something specific, I would be most grateful.

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My SO is also a Carte Noire guy, but I still prefer my morning espress at the local bar, apartment or no.

You should have no problem finding the herbs at Franprix.

Vivelepain.fr has a bakery trail that is like a mini guide you can take with you to visit the best bakeries of Paris. Sentier 1 begins in or near Montmartre.

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Franprix will have a range of dried herbs/spices, if you want fresh I%26#39;d suggest Rue Lepic or one of the various markets. There is always a stall selling herbs and spices, Bastille and Bellville markets are good for spices.

I don%26#39;t know of any specific patisseries etc. in that area, but the general rule of thumb is the busier they are the better the produce.

As for coffee, we use Cuban ground, its great. If you really want the best coffee beans, a trip to Torréfacteur Verlet on Rue st-Honoré would do it.

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I had a brainstorm before our cottage vacation this past summer:

Buy a pillkeeper -- you know, the ones that senior citizens use to keep track of all their medications -- a one-week one is fine, but find one with large compartments.

Put your favourite herbs/spices in it -- one per compartment (I took garlic powder, cinnamon, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, parsley, and two more I don%26#39;t remember!) -- put a layer of plastic wrap over the spices to make the lids fit snug, then close them. Wrap the whole lot in plastic wrap, then in a large plastic bag.

Voila -- you have your favourite herbs and spices, and don%26#39;t have to be fussed with buying the tiny amounts you%26#39;ll use in the course of a week.

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oh yes -- we like Carte Noir, too.

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Thank you Sarastro, Phread, and Sunshine...it looks like Carte Noir has it.

I like the idea of taking the stuff in the pillbox, but I actually want to buy some dried stuff over there that I can bring back, and shop for fresh herbs to use while there.

Thanks for the help.

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Hi Arrow

You are so lucky that one of the few 3 star boulangeries are close by you (in Rue des Abbesses). These are the boulangeries that won 3 stars in the 2005-competition:

Les 3 étoiles

Le Boulanger de Monge, 123, rue Monge (5e).

Poilâne, 8, rue du Cherche-Midi (6e), et 49, boulevard de Grenelle (15e).

Laurent Duchêne, 2, rue Wurtz (13e).

Le Grenier à pain, 38, rue des Abbesses (18e).

So you can forget about your low-carb diet for the 2 weeks you stay in Paris.......

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Carte Noire is easily avaialable, but if you make it over to the corner of rue de Lévis and bld de Courcelles/Batignolles, choose something at Cafés Richard.

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