Eating

Paris Travel Tips from Alex, Youtube Chef of French Guy Cooking

Conversations with Locals

Alexis Gabriel is the man behind the Youtube channel French Guy Cooking, where he showcases his food hacks and cheat sheets to classic French recipes. The witty Parisian reveals where to find the ultimate croissant, his favourite view of the city (it’s not from the Eiffel Tower), and what “l’art de vivre” is to him. 

Photo: French Guy Cooking

What do you feel defines Parisian cuisine?

The Parisian cuisine has got to be associated with the restaurants. From a humble but decent café where you can have a sandwich at the counter, to a busy brasserie where you’ll get an entrecôte with french fries, then to a bistrot where you’ll be dining out of hearty modernised dishes, to finally a Michelin starred restaurant which will always remain a proud icon in our city.

What do you feel are the most common misconceptions about French food? 

People see French food as a posh, high-end and overcomplicated affair. And I believe it is not their fault but ours. Expensive ingredients, chef’s whites, the white table setting and expensive silverware can be appealing, but in my opinion it can be repulsive.

How is Parisian cuisine different from other parts of France?

Paris takes influences from all around the country, so you can taste many different and authentic French specialities in the city. But Paris also takes influences from all over the world. Being an international capital, this city sucks in all the latest food trends that can be found, be it from Asia, Africa or America.

Photo: French Guy Cooking

Which parts of Paris is the best for food?

I believe the East of Paris, especially the 11th arrondissement, produces the best food. This is not based on any kind of fact, but on something arbitrary – I was born there! (laughs)

What are some local food you feel travellers can’t leave Paris without trying?

Don’t leave without trying a baguette; go for a traditional baguette. Also, the jambon-beurre sandwich, which is the most classic Parisian sandwich you’ll find. If you feel adventurous, go for the raw steak tartare.

Pastrami and kalamata olives tapenade in traditional baguette. Photo: French Guy Cooking

Jambon-beurre sandwich. Photo: French Guy Cooking

French steak tartare. Photo: French Guy Cooking

What is a typical Parisian breakfast for you?

Croissant and coffee at the counter in a busy café.

Where are your favourite cafés in Paris for a good croissant?

When it comes to the almighty croissant, the best place would not be at a café, but at the most amazing boulangerie – Blé Sucré, located on 7 Rue Antoine Vollon.

Photo: French Guy Cooking

Where are your favourite restaurants or cafés in Paris?

I’ll give you three of my favorite foodie streets in Paris. They are the Rue des Martyrs, located in the 9th arrondissement. It is a beautiful foodie street with plenty of places to eat but mostly takeaway.

Rue Paul Bert, located in the 11th arrondissement where you can find a few of the finest Parisian bistrots. For an authentic French meal, I would visit Bistrot Paul Bert on Paul Bert street.

Rue du Cherche-Midi, in the 6th arrondissement, where you can find many foodie spots and great Italian food as well. Let’s stay open minded shall we?

What do you feel most travellers miss out on when they are visiting Paris?

Tourists – and I can’t blame them for that – prioritise the famous attractions such as the Notre Dame, the Eiffel tower and the Champs Elysées. These are all great and superb places, but from a foodie point of view they are definitely not. My advice is to take some time, walk off the beaten paths and you’ll find gems in the side alleys.

Wander and get lost in the alleys of the 10th and 11th arrondissements, instead of walking straight into the beautiful yet massive and overcrowded avenues of the 8th arrondissement.

Where can we go to see your favourite view in Paris? 

It can be a bit dark at night so I would prefer a day visit to le Parc de Belleville, where there’s one of the most beautiful views of Paris, and a café where you can enjoy l’art de vivre.

What do you mean by l’art de vivre? 

“L’art de vivre” is a French expression which literally translates into “the art of living”. It means to take the time to embrace life with your eyes, your ears and your mouth. Savour each and every moment, instead of wasting them.

What is on your travel bucket list?

They would be: getting cooking knives in Seki, Japan; visiting and eating in the 23 provinces of China; learning Persian in Teheran; jumping high with the Maasai in Kenya; cooking on an Asado in Argentina; walking sleepless on a bright night in Iceland.

WHERE TO EAT IN PARIS


Blé Sucré
Where: 7 Rue Antoine Vollon, 75012 Paris, France
For: Croissants

Bistrot Paul Bert
Where: 18 Rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris, France
For: Authentic French food

WHERE TO GO IN PARIS


Le Parc de Belleville
Where: 20th Arrondissement, 75020 Paris, France
For: A panoramic view of Paris

The Eating Guide to Ålesund & Sogndal, Norway

Norway

In the wilderness of the Norwegian countryside, it’s important to get warmed up in the cold climate. One of my best memories in Norway is curling up with a warm bowl of fish soup after getting a little bit too freeze up from the cold. The fish soup is the quintessential Norwegian dish that everyone must try.

It was also in this country that I got the chance to try such a large variety of fish. Every time I scan the menu in a café or a restaurant, there would always be a fish name that sounds foreign to me. The pristine waters along the Norwegian coastline makes it a great environment for marine life. Fish are in an abundance there, particularly salmon and cod. Dive into the wonderful world of Norwegian cuisine filled with freshly caught seafood and buttery flavours.

Look forward to: Fish soup 

Lyst

Region: Ålesund
Where: Kongensgate 12, Ålesund
What: Fish
For: A classy dining experience

Lyst is an unexpected find, as most establishments are closed on Mondays in the sleepy town of Ålesund. Complete with classy table settings and a small vase of fresh flowers on every table, the price range is slightly above average but the ambience is worth every penny. Upon viewing the menu, I was thrilled to see a number of local Norwegian dishes. The food, as pictured above, is a grilled chicken with a fresh lemony aftertaste, and a bacalao stew with bread. Bacalao is a type of salted cod fish, and in this case, it’s cooked in a tomato base stew which is a classic local dish in Northern Norway.

Lyspunktet Café

Region: Ålesund
Where: Kipervikgata 1A, 6003 Ålesund, Norway
What: Homemade cakes and fish soup
For: A quiet café

Lyspunktet Café is a cosy café that boasts a mouthwatering selection of homemade cakes, sandwiches and soups. The café prides itself on cooking from scratch. There is a comprehensive coffee menu, with coffee beans sourced from Precious Bean Roasters. This is the place to go if you want to hide your nose in a book as you wile your time away in the quiet ambience, sipping a cup of coffee.

Caffe Prego

Region: Sogndal
Where: AMFI Sogningen Storsenter, Hovevegen 4 – 6, 6856, Norway
What: Grilled chicken with pasta
For: Norwegian styled pastas

After many days of eating fish, I needed a break from the routine. Caffe Prego was a great find for pastas, and located within a shopping centre. Most of the pastas are cooked with either a delicious cream or tomato sauce. The winner for me is the grilled chicken accompanied with a side of creamy pasta. If you’re going for dinner, you might want to head there early as the café closes early.

Florence Travel Tips from Mauro Santoni, a Teacher & Arts Enthusiast

Conversations with Locals

Mauro Santoni is a Literature, History and Geography teacher living in Florence, and has a penchant for the theatre and the Arts. We talk to Mauro about his beloved home city, why Spaghetti Bolognese is not Italian, and his favourite under-the-radar art galleries in the capital of Tuscany. 

Photo: Mauro Santoni

What do you feel defines Florentine cuisine?

In the past, food in Florence was poor in quality. For example, in the Middle Ages, the city had to pay high taxes on salt, and this meant that bread was often baked without salt due to its high cost. Today, this tradition continues. Typical Florentine food such as ribollita, panzanella and pappa al pomodoro was often made with stale bread. Eventually, such dishes become rich and tasty, and have come to define what Florentine cuisine is all about.

Pappa al pomodoro is a Tuscan soup made with bread, tomatoes and olive oil.

What do you feel are the most common misconceptions about Italian food? 

Italian food is not only about pastas and pizzas, and spaghetti bolognese and Hawaiian pizza are not Italian recipes!

Is there a difference between food in Florence from other parts of Italy?

Sure, every region and city in Italy has their own type of food. For instance, Florence has very simple desserts, while Sicilian desserts tend to be rich and sweet. The character of Florentine food is formed by its ingredients which are all produced in Tuscany, such as the Chianina cow’s meat, olive oil and the Chianti vineyards!

In your opinion, which parts of Florence is the best for food?

In the city centre, that would be Santa Croce and Santo Spirito.

Where are your favourite restaurants or cafés in Florence for Italian food?

For something inexpensive, that would be the traditional Sabatino in San Frediano. For mid-range prices, Il Santo Bevitore in Oltrarno is a good choice. Il Cibreo in Sant’Ambrogio would be pricey but nonetheless, it serves great food as well.

What are some local dishes you feel travellers can’t leave Florence without trying?

The famed bistecca alla fiorentina (T-bone steak that’s served rare on the inside but seared on the outside), ribollita (Tuscan soup made with bread and vegetables) and panino al lampredotto (tripe sandwich) are an absolute must to try.

Where are your favourite art galleries in Florence?

Besides the famous art galleries (Uffizi Gallery, Galleria dell’Accademia and Palatina Gallery), I love the Bargello. It is one of the most ancient and charming buildings in Florence with the largest collection of Donatello’s sculptures. I also love the San Marco Convent, it was entirely painted by the Renaissance master Beato Angelico.

Photo: Mauro Santoni

What do you feel most travellers miss out on when they are visiting Florence?

I feel that most travellers miss out on the many cultural events of the city. Catching an opera at Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, as the Opera was practically born in Florence with Monteverdi! Watching V.O. (English dubbed) movies during one of the international cinema festivals in the gorgeous Odeon, probably the most beautiful movie theatre in Italy for its Art Nouveau style. It is also worth catching any one of the shows in the Bargello or in Strozzi’s Courtyards.

 

WHERE TO EAT IN FLORENCE


Sabatino
Where: Via Pisana, 2R, 50143 Firenze
For: Inexpensive traditional Florentine food

Il Santo Bevitore
Where: Via di Santo Spirito, 64/66, Firenze, Italy
For: Italian food at mid-range pricing

Il Cibreo
Where: Via del Verrocchio, 8r Firenze
For: High end Italian food

 

WHERE TO GO IN FLORENCE


Bargello National Museum
Where: Via del Proconsolo, 4, 50122 Firenze, Italy
For: Donatello’s sculptures

San Marco Convent
Where: Piazza San Marco, 3, 50121 Firenze, Italy
For: Art pieces by Italian Renaissance painters such as Fra Angelico and Domenico Ghirlandaio

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Where: Opera di Firenze – Piazzale Vittorio Gui, Firenze
For: An opera festival

Odeon
Where: Cinema Odeon Firenze, Piazza Strozzi, 50123 Firenze
For: The international cinema festivals

Strozzi’s Courtyards
Where: Piazza degli Strozzi, 50123 Firenze, Italy
For: Concerts and performances