Carette

Maybe I’m biased because I lived just a few floors above this cafe, but Carette is a great pit stop when you find yourself in the Marais.  Would I go out of my way to eat here or dub it a destination? No, not by any means, but I certainly didn’t mind eating my lunch or breakfast here on a regular basis, and as a hard care foodie, that says a lot.  Besides, the Marais is a destination worth visiting for many reasons; the exquisite Place Des Vosges, the Jewish Quarter, the Victor Hugo museum, the shops and much more.

While you’re in the neighborhood, grab a croissant at Carette or a hazelnut and raisin flute.  The French have a way with eggs and so does Carette, turning out rich and creamy scrambled eggs, served with a house-baked baguette.  But lunch is the real move here.  Take a break from seeing the sights (or shopping) with Carette’s generous Salade Nicoise, dubbed the Marguete, one of the best I had during my stay, a melange of potatoes, anchovies, egg, green beans, shredded carrots and tomatoes.   Or their Onion Soup Gratinee, perfect for a rainy, cold day in spring.   They also make a mean Quiche Du Jour, sometimes studded with asparagus or jamon, other times artichokes, depending on the season.

I say skip the crepes here. (There are better ones down the block at Creperie Suzette and Breizh Cafe.  Instead, grab a macaron or a tart, a cup of coffee, and people watch the day away at one of their many outdoor tables.  (There’s plenty of heat lamps to go around when it’s cold.)