The torrent of Anglo eateries that have popped up across Paris in recent years can largely be attributed to the searing success of Rose Bakery. I had my doubts years ago when I first heard about the internationally-staffed organic canteen - how good could English food be, really? Expensive though it may be, it’s one of my favorite places to go for warm cheese scones, fresh vegetable and a variety of cakes suitable for breakfast or afternoon tea. Rose began in London, hopped over to Paris on rue des Martyrs, expanded to the Marais, settled into a 3rd location within La Maison Rouge foundation in the 12th and most recently took over a 2nd floor corner of the chic department store Le Bon Marché. And that’s saying nothing of their international locations. Its appeal was virtually immediate and RB quickly established itself as the spot among hipsters, artists, celebrities (the likes of Natalie Portman and Julie Delpy, who I spotted last year) and tourists for organic, English fare. They open early, excel at pancakes and healthy veggie options and sell a number of British products to-go. Other establishments may have come onto the scene but Rose is a breakfast mainstay.
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Breakfast at Rose Bakery
The torrent of Anglo eateries that have popped up across Paris in recent years can largely be attributed to the searing success of Rose Bakery. I had my doubts years ago when I first heard about the internationally-staffed organic canteen - how good could English food be, really? Expensive though it may be, it’s one of my favorite places to go for warm cheese scones, fresh vegetable and a variety of cakes suitable for breakfast or afternoon tea. Rose began in London, hopped over to Paris on rue des Martyrs, expanded to the Marais, settled into a 3rd location within La Maison Rouge foundation in the 12th and most recently took over a 2nd floor corner of the chic department store Le Bon Marché. And that’s saying nothing of their international locations. Its appeal was virtually immediate and RB quickly established itself as the spot among hipsters, artists, celebrities (the likes of Natalie Portman and Julie Delpy, who I spotted last year) and tourists for organic, English fare. They open early, excel at pancakes and healthy veggie options and sell a number of British products to-go. Other establishments may have come onto the scene but Rose is a breakfast mainstay.
Reward for Following the Crowds
Haven’t you been told to eat only at restaurants that have lots of cars in their parking lots? I discovered a valuable variation of this aphorism. I had a long layover at Charles de Gaulle Airport--long enough to take the train from CDG into the City of Light and long enough to work up quite an appetite walking Paris’ beautiful streets. But despite the fact that I knew that it is actually quite difficult to get a BAD meal in Paris, I had no idea how to choose where to grab a quick bite before heading back to make my connection. The answer soon revealed itself. I noticed that lots of people on the street were carrying identical little white cardboard take-out containers. And they all seemed to be coming from the same direction. So I simply navigated--in the reverse--the stream of take-out container-toting people. Imagine my surprise when I found myself standing in front of the Rose Bakery whose cookbook holds a cherished place on my Washington, D.C. bookshelf and in my cooking repertoire! I celebrated my resourcefulness and good fortune with the above-pictured pistachio cake and rhubarb compote. Deeelicious! And made a mental note to pay attention to the carryout food containers of smiling crowds on future foreign city streets--as long as they don’t bear McDonald’s or Burger King labels of course!
