Lunch Break

Sampling dishes and diners in and around Miami County

Don’t Knock It

In my most recent column, I shared my short-lived trip to London, England, a few days before New Year's Eve. Although the busy streets, endless food options, and exciting hostel nightlife made for an enchanting 21 hours. I set a one-hour timer for 4:00 a.m., but with the new Apple update, it went off silently. My best friend Kaylee and I had traveled 11 hours and overseas to meet up with a travel group that I admittedly found online at 5:15 a.m., and we awoke at 5:30 a.m.

I frantically flew off the bunk bed, packed up my bursting bookbag, returned our keys to the room. With Kaylee not far behind, we sprinted across the street to the Royal National Hotel. Luckily, our group had not yet departed for our trip, and we made it onto the coach with a few minutes to spare.

From London, we took an hour or so bus ride to Dover, which we no doubt slept through the entirety of. Then, a ferry to France, and a not-so-scenic ride through Normandy to finally Paris. Paris is where we spent most of our trip and where most of our memories and fine dining were made.

Now, this is a food column, so I’ll summarize some of the trip highlights that weren’t appetite-related. Moulin Rouge was incredible, but I could not tell you the plot. The metro is absolutely insane on New Year's Eve. It was hauntingly creepy every other day, especially at 5:00 a.m., after the Irish Club next to the Moulin Rouge closed. Everything smells like smoke, pee, and, of course, perfume. Everything is cobblestone. My feet hurt, my clothes and backpack smelled like something died in a fire, and it was all absolutely beautiful. And finally, the food is everything it’s cracked up to be.

The highlights were what I ate for dinner. Kaylee and I were very fortunate to have hiked up the big hill in Montmartre, just past the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, to eat with our group in one of the many adorable restaurants. There was a pianist, Australian karaoke, and a three-course meal that started our love for what some hate. Snails.

Escargot is amazing. Although I kind of felt like a traitor because I often go out of my way to pick slugs up off of the pavement in an effort to save them from getting stepped on. I really enjoyed eating their snail cousins. There’s just something about the garlic butter sauce and the chewy interior of the shell that melts away the bug-like visual.

We also had the opportunity to eat a deliciously salty chicken smothered in mushrooms, served with green beans and a cornbread soufflé. I love mushrooms, and although some were annoyed, I am a big fan of the fact that everything is super salty in Paris. Unfortunately, a few nights later, I ordered the exact same dish, this time with fries, at a small, charming Latin Quarter restaurant. Hey, when in France, get French fries.

Although the dessert at the first restaurant was so good, I completely forgot what it even was. I opted to order the Creme Brule the second time around. I’d never had it before, but it sounds French and that’s literally the only reason I got it. And, let me say, Culver's should really give custard with a crispy top a try. It was absolutely delicious, creamy, sweet, and coated in sugar.

I ate a croissant at the hotel breakfast, as well as various meats, breads, and cheeses. I had some macaroons, and of course, ordered escargot every chance I could get. However, what was most memorable to me was the least photogenic meal I ate, out of a parchment paper bag. I had a grilled cheese that I will be trying to replicate for the rest of my life. It was fluffy on the outside, but had a salty croissant-like crunch, filled with butter. The inside had chicken, cheese, some white sauce, and a flavor I’ll never forget.

I also noticed that, just as everything is salty, all the wines are dry. This did not work out in my palette's favor. I’m a Moscato girl. However, on a whim, Kaylee and I ventured into a post-Christmas market, and I tried hot wine for the first time. Just like the snails, you must give it a chance. It's hot, it's sweet, it’s bubbly, and it's the most delicious beverage I’ve ever had. Where was that after sledding as a kid? It’s out with the cocoa and in with the alcohol.

As every girl in her twenties who fled the country for the first time and visited France for less than a week would say, I left part of my heart in Paris. When Kaylee and I departed for Ireland, I couldn’t help but look back with teary eyes. I hope I see Paris again. I’m not sure if I ever will. Life is short. Maybe some grilled cheeses are meant for one-time consumption. Either way, my heart was heavy when we arrived at the airport. And then, my sadness quickly turned to anger when the start of the Cailey-Kaylee Ireland adventure began at TSA, with all my belongings strewn across the airport floor.