Happy Friday. The weeks go by fast, don’t they? This morning, Your Survival Guy’s been dreaming of my favorite Sunday lunch spot in Paris, La Fontaine de Mars in the 7th. In my conversations with many of you, you tell me how you’re planning to be in Paris at some point over the next year, but only briefly, and you want to know where are some of the places I recommend you go. Well, Fontaine is on my list.
About a year and a half ago, I wrote to you about my boots on the ground observations, noticing how there were fewer shoppers from China. And now you have the mess resurfacing with France’s government, which a band-aid was never going to solve. Which leads me to recommend that you stick to my top arrondissements and not travel too far off the beaten path.
I wrote this to you back in June last year:
Chinese Food in Paris and Our Favored Lunch
I wrote to you yesterday about my observation that there were fewer Chinese in Paris during my recent trip there than in years past. This is a direct reflection of economic troubles on the mainland, mostly due, in my estimation, to the popping of the real estate bubble—the number one asset class for Chinese investors.
Now, changing gears, if you’re craving Peking duck in Paris, stay at the Shangri-La (a Palace Hotel) on the right bank, not far from the Eiffel Tower. Then, after a long day of walking and shopping, dine on property at the Shang Palace for a family feast.
Then, for lunch, especially Sunday lunch, cross the river Seine to the left bank and go to La Fountaine de Mars for the epitome of French bistro dining. Our favorites include sea bass topped with olives and mashed potatoes (note: they replaced the olives with a tapenade), escargot, and duck confit. Every table has baguette slices to hold you over, along with pickles, mustard for dipping, and sliced salami. Careful, the mustard is surprisingly hot.
Bon Appetit!
Action Line: If you’re heading to Paris and want to talk strategy, or you’ve just gotten back and want to debrief, email me at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com. And click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter.
Originally posted on Your Survival Guy.
