Septime
Our last day in Paris...
Oh, Paris.
Before our afternoon departure to Morocco - the fourth stop on our 5 week honeymoon - Ben and I went for lunch at Septime with my friend Peta (who has been living in France and was joining us for a week). We couldn't have asked for a more perfect farewell Paris lunch.
Septime is a truly beautiful bistro in the 11th arrondissement. It oozes casual sophistication. At Septime, quality produce is celebrated, nurtured and encouraged into supreme deliciousness. Their food is clean, delicate, purposeful and inspiring.
On this day we were a little rushed due to our impending departure, nevertheless we had a truly beautiful meal and were very well looked after. The lunch menu at Septime involves three courses (with a number of choices), and is 26 euros - incredible value.Septime will remain a favourite corner of mine, a place I will dearly recommend to fellow foodie travellers. Let me show you why...
Bread and fresh sliced salami to start.
Entree: Raw tuna with cucumber, red currants and goats cheese. Fresh. Favourite.
Fava bean puree with peach foam, broad beans and almonds. This subtle puree with vibrant foam was a nice interplay of flavours.
Oh, yes, please.
Main: Whiting with squash, pickled carrots and pumpkin, butter, thyme puree. Stunning. Intentional.
Pork belly with rhubarb and pickled sweet onions. Exciting. Divine.
Chocolate fudge log with basil and raspberry gelato. The chocolate log was incredibly rich and the gelato truly spectacular. Basil! It was all so brilliantly well-balanced, a combination of loving cuddles and sunshine twirls.
Goodbye, Paris. It's been a dream. And what a dream to end with this sensational Septime lunch.
Heidi xo
Paris Notes
Length of stay: 4 days - never enough time. This is my fourth visit, however, and so I had already seen many tourist sights. I would recommend staying at least 1 week for first timers.
Accommodation: we stayed in a studio apartment in the Marais (Ref #016 via Special Apartments). It was stunning and very affordable. The owners were fantastic - very professional, helpful and friendly. The location was wonderful, although very much in the touristy section of the Marais. One issue was the heat - even with a fan we found this apartment to be quite hot at night (and the weather was not particularly warm when we were there, either). Having said that, we would not hesitate to stay again or book another apartment through this owner.
Where we ate - see previous posts: A Pastry Tale, Septime and Paris Day 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Highlights: Paris, the city of light...what a special city. I'll highlight the truly beautiful meal with my man at L'Ourcine. Hanging out at favourite spots - Jardin du Luxembourg, Musee Rodin and Musee l'Orangerie. Lunch at Septime, dinner at Josephine Chez Dumonet and crepes from Boulevard Raspail Organic Sunday Market. Dinner with friends at Chez Marianne (please, can I have another falafel?) and cocktails at Candelaria and Kong with my man and Peta. Having our own apartment in the Marais - special, so special. And really, just being able to just wander the streets of Paris for hours and hours...that's the best thing to do in Paris. Wander in wonderment.