Bank Holiday Activities for Homesick Americans
May is the month of public holidays here in France. There's one pretty much ever week, starting on Labor Day, May 1. Fortunately, May 1 falls on a Thursday this year, perfect for engaging in France's favorite public holiday activity: taking Friday off to get a four-day weekend. This is known as "faire le pont' or making the bridge, and it is a low-grade national obsession.
However, since national holidays in France are meant to be enjoyed by everyone, no one works on these days. Good for the workers of course, but it also means that transplanted Americans cannot indulge in our public holiday obsession: shopping. But don't despair, there are still a few opportunities to spend money onThursday. Below is a very short list of shopping options this week.
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This three day sale is a benefit for the HIV/AIDS charity Arcat Sante. The sale features clothes and home decorating items from well known designers (Agnes B, Chanel, Stella Cadente among many others) at 30%-90% discounts.
http://www.arcat-sante.org/actus/876/19eme_Braderie_mode_et_decoration_ARCAT_Les_createurs_ont_du_c_ur_Du_1er_au_3_mai_2008
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From 1 May to 4 May. The Court Circuit market held in the heart of the Marais features 95 creative artists in decoration, fashion and contemporary art. The organizers have chosen to forego a website in favor of a postcard ad campaign, but you can call for more information: 06 75 09 75 49.
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Breakfast, Lunch, Tea...
About six months ago, a friend from the US told me about a bakery she had heard of. In fact, she had bought a book "Breakfast, Lunch, Tea: The Many Little Meals of Rose Bakery" which is full of recipes and exclaimed how envious she was that I was just a few metro stops away from this wonderful establishment.
I would never have guessed that a place like this existed in Paris, Thanks Maria.
Local, fresh and always tasty!
I have enjoyed lunch at the Rose Bakery at least once a month since then. Each time, I order the soup of the day (winter squash, lentil, broccoli...) and a green salad followed by a cappuccino and a slice of carrot cake or a peice of pistachio loaf.
Be aware that a certain amount of food is made each day and when it is gone, it is gone.
The best time to go is just before 1 pm to beat the crowd. If it is a nice day and the dining room is packed, get your lunch to go and eat at a park near by (or on the steps of Sacre Coeur in the sun).
Note: Be sure to browse the counter before sitting down to get a visual of the goodness that you have to choose from.
Pancakes are the only item on the menu that I would not recommend because they are just too basic and there is so much more on the menu to stimulate your taste buds.
The staff speak both french and english and no matter how busy they are, are always friendly and efficient.
When it comes time to pay, you simple walk up front to the cash register and tell whomever is there -- it is usually Jean-Charles (Rose's husband and part owner) -- what you have indulged in. Don't be shy.
46 rue des Martyrs, 75009 Paris (tel 01 42 82 12 80)
Tuesday-Saturday 0900-1900, Sunday 1000-1700, closed Monday
Metro Line 12 Notre Dame de Lorette or Pigalle
Read more here:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodmonthly/story/0,,1925048,00.html
http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2003/11/rose_bakery.php