Eating Out: L’As du Fallafel, Paris, France
Last weekend, I was in Paris, France. What with a direct train connection from my hometown to London St. Pancras International station and an onward connection by Eurostar to central Paris, it’s really easy for me to get a short ‘fix of français’ whenever I need it.
I arrived at lunchtime at Gare du Nord. Naturally, I was hungry (I always am, but I’m particularly so around midday for some reason) so I thought about where I could grab something to eat. This isn’t too much of a problem for Paris. There are thousands of food options and places to eat and you’re pretty much guaranteed that it will be tasty and fulfilling.
I still had my bag on my back though. I hadn’t even checked in at my hotel. A proper restaurant or cafe was not what I wanted. I needed something quick. After a moments thought, I knew exactly what would hit the spot. I hopped on the metro and headed for Rue des Rosiers.
I had already had falafel in Paris’ Marais district before. I had enjoyed it a lot, but I didn’t have much choice in where to get it. I had stupidly turned up on a Saturday, the Jewish sabbath, so apart from this one place, all the outlets were closed. This time, I did have a choice, though I only had one place in mind; the much-hyped L’As du Fallafel.
You can’t miss the green facade of what is, for some reason, trumped as Lenny Kravitz’s favourite falafel restaurant. Bright flashing lights, press cuttings and a bright yellow menu board draw you in. A guy with a small receipt book rounds up potential customers in French with smatterings of English. Once you’ve joined the queue, he takes your order, you pay him and he hands you a receipt which you then hand to the guys behind the window. “How hot do you want it,” you’re asked. “Hot!” is the response. With tongs, crisp salted cucumber and pickled red & white cabbage is quickly flicked into large, soft pitta bread. Five (six if you’re lucky) glistening golden brown balls of fried chickpea fritters (falafel) are thrown in along with soft aubergine. On top of it all, hummus and hot harissa sauce is spooned on.
It’s difficult describing the taste without being vague. You’ll just have to try it for yourself. I love food that has a variety of textures and flavours all in one, so for me it really hits the spot. Its crispy and soft, sweet and sour, hot and mild, crunchy and chewy. It ticks all the boxes. If you’re not sitting in the adjoining restaurant, the generally accepted way to eat is to find a nearby doorway to stand in or find a step or kerb to sit on. Then open your mouth wide and stuff as much of it in as possible. Forget about your dignity and manners. It’s just too good.
