James Bond Style Dining in Paris – Le Drugstore

by PwS | Apr 22, 2019 | Food, Trip Planning

Le Drugstore

When it opened in 1958, Publicis Drugstore offered Parisians a more chic (and adult) version of our old drugstores with soda fountains. After a recent makeover by Tom Dixon, the interior is sexy and comfortable. Request seating outside – even in a bubble when it is cold – to gaze at the Arc de Triomphe while dining. Peruse the fancy cocktail list and order from friendly staff. The experience is kind of like stepping into a James Bond movie, or dining with Don Draper. Probably more Don Draper…

Unlike other places, ask for a cocktail and “Finger Food” first, then the waitstaff comes back for the food order. Quick delivery after order of healthy portions. Although there are plenty of Americans who are loud and do not try to speak French, Parisians make up a gentler percentage of the patrons. Our waitress said all desserts are made in house and what we tasted was excellent!!! By the way, beautiful bathrooms. Le Drugstore is especially convenient if you are going to the Lido for a show after dinner. Or, it stays open so late, dine after the show.

view to Arc de Triomphe from le drugstore

Arc de Triomphe from the bubble.

Steak tartare.

Enter through the drugstore – buy pens, paper, posters…. all on the way to your table.

Can you find a pet rock?

Madison Avenue Ads? You need Don Draper!

Le Drugstore
133 Av. des Champs-Élysées
75008
Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 43 77 64
https://www.publicisdrugstore.com/en/le-drugstore
Métro: Charles de Gaulle–Étoile
Can reserve online
Open until 2am, so if you are hungry late…

Telephone 24 hours ahead of your reservation to reconfirm. Or, ask your hotel to do this for you.

Don’t miss the opportunity to shop for novel souvenirs before or after your meal. Everything from pens to posters to pet rocks! Okay, I didn’t see a pet rock, but it seems like they should have them.

If you’re in the mood for an intimate and authentic Parisian bistro, check out this post.

Orange and Black Olive Salad

by PwS | Apr 5, 2019 | Food

Orange and Black Olive Salad

View Instructions

Orange and Black Olive Salad

By: Scott

This Orange and Black Olive Salad is super simple and matches well with the 4-Spice Pork. It is also wonderful alone. The citrus is bright and clean, and because the oranges are skinned, it makes this salad kind of special. Black olives are rich with deep flavor. Olive oil, salt, and pepper round it all out into a delicious salad to eat before or after a main course. And, if you happen to have a fennel bulb around, add that in, too.

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Meal: Lunch or Dinner

Method: Blend

Ingredients

2-3 oranges, skinned and sliced
10-15 oil cured black olives, sliced in half
olive oil
salt
pepper
thinly sliced fennel bulb, optional

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Skin the oranges with a knife removing all of the fibrous material around the segments. Thinly slice the oranges and remove any white from the middle of the slices.

Step 2

Arrange the sliced oranges on a plate and sprinkle with black olives.

Step 3

Drizzle generously with good quality olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Step 4

If you want another layer of flavor, sprinkle with slices of fennel along with the olives.

Did You Make This Recipe?

Tag @PariswithScott on Instagram and hashtag it #recipes

A Simple French Bistro-Style Apple Tart Recipe

by PwS | Nov 6, 2018 | Food

Simple French Bistro-Style Apple Tart Recipe

View Instructions

Bistro-Style Apple Tart

By: Scott

Who doesn’t want a French bistro-style apple tart? And what cook doesn’t want a simple recipe for something good? This tart recipe is simple and made with super basic ingredients. It will cook into an impressive dessert that will win you fans from all over. Although I had to make it multiple times to make it photo worthy, each one tasted terrific. Don’t worry if it isn’t the most beautiful thing you ever made. Slice it up and serve it up. If you want even more on your dessert plate, you can add ice cream or whipped cream on the side or on top. But, it really doesn’t need it.

Servings: 4-6

Prep Time: 1 hour

Calories: 353

Meal: Dessert

Ingredients

3 Granny Smith apples
3/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 sheet puff pastry
parchment paper

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Peel, core and slice the apples into 1/8” – 1/4” slices. (I do it by hand and wind up with odd sizes and pieces. But, it kind of makes the end result have softness and crunch in each bite. If you really want to have even slices, try using a French mandoline or the much less expensive, benriner mandoline. Be careful, you can slice your finger off.)

Step 2

Put the apples in a bowl and sprinkle with the sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Then, toss with a fork – or your hands – trying to coat each slice with some of the sugar mixture. Pour the apple mixture into a colander and place the colander back into the bowl. Set aside for about 30 minutes so that delicious juice will drain from apples.

Step 3

When the apples have finished making their juice, place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and place the puff pastry onto the parchment. (Do not use a baking sheet that has an air layer sandwiched between metal. The bottom will not get done enough.)

Step 4

Turn the apple mixture onto the dough, make a decorative pattern with the apples, or not. Then, fold the dough up around the edges and over some of the apples. Pinch together the edges of puff pastry where the dough laps over itself. Next, brush the dough with the egg and sprinkle the remaining 2 Tbsp. of sugar over the dough brushed with egg.

Step 5

In a small saucepan combine the liquid that drained off the apples and the butter. Place over medium-high heat, bring to a boil and reduce the liquid until it is thick. The liquid will become thick and caramel colored. Remove from heat and drizzle the liquid over the apples. Then, bake in the preheated oven for about an hour, or until the dough is nicely browned and the apples are cooked. Remove from oven and let sit at least 5-10 minutes before cutting. Serve hot or room temperature.

If you are looking for a classic apple tart in Paris, check out Josephine Chez Dumonet. For more details, see Intimate and Authentic French Bistros in Paris.

More Bistro-Style Recipes

Oeufs Mayonnaise

Parisian Style Egg Salad

Parisian Baked Brabant Potatoes

Classic, easy to make, and delicious.

James Bond Style Dining in Paris – Le Drugstore

Le Drugstore

Madison Avenue Ads? You need Don Draper!

Orange and Black Olive Salad