Sunday En Famille

Warning: There’s a lot of food talk in this post!

With the delightful arrival of my younger son and his fiancé (J&J) on Saturday, we are now a cozy apartment of four.

We sent the kids out Sunday morning to bring back fresh provisions and flowers from the Sunday Market down the street. Laden with delicious sweet and savory goodies, they started preparing our “light” morning repast and arranging everything just so. Because, as is our custom, we need to photograph every meal as an event before we get to dig in!

They headed off afterwards to wander and shop their way and we headed out to explore our way with a plan to meet for a late lunch at 2:30 at Bruto’s, a Bistrot near the Marais.

We arrived early and decided to walk to the mouth of the Canal St.Martin, a 20 minute walk from the Metro stop. The canal area has become a trendy neighborhood of restos and boutiques with frequent bridges crossing the tree-lined waterway for its 4.5 mile distance to the Seine. We took 2 quick pix and realized we were now 30 minutes away from Bruto’s and we had to hoof it in 20 to get there by 2:30. We made it!

Why the rush? We had the last lunch seating for their acclaimed roast chicken. It is offered only on Sunday and is the only main! We had apps, wine and then the grande poulet herself. Festooned in herbs and accompanied by fries, salad and crusty bread, she was a thing of beauty. Cue the cameras!

It was delicious, juicy, tender, flavorful and full of jus that we recklessly mopped up after scouring her bones. We, and all around us, were clearly enjoying a vital Sunday tradition of dinner en famille. We shared a tiny chocolate mousse after… because why not!

Sated and elated, we took a long walk together to the Marais area, where we’ve previously stayed. And yes, the famous Breton creperie Breizh Cafe was still there but now they have multiple locations.

We all split off, and Andy and I walked home stopping on the Ile de France for some renoened Berthillon ice cream and a quick sit on the bank of the Seine to people watch.

Back home, now evening, we settled in to a light supper of grazing the fridge and watching “Bodkin,” an Irish mystery series on Netflix. Then to bed.

J&J returned home to gussy up and go out on a late date to a lively wine bar. Ahh to be young and beautiful in Paris.

A perfect French Sunday for all, n’est pas!?