Brrr! Baby, it's cold outside, but it's perfect weather for onion soup at Carette's

Fur coats are out in abundance. They're a good idea if you want to enjoy the terrace at Carette's tearoom!

After months of warmer than average temperatures, the bitter cold came as a rude shock while I was wandering around the upper 16th arrondissement yesterday. Fortunately, I had spied Carette's tearoom as my bus navigated the Place du Trocadero, so I promised myself a bowl of their rich onion soup capped with gooey cheese as a reward for successfully completing my errands. Even though nothing went the way I planned - the doctor's appointment didn't happen because of an administrative error (theirs, not mine!) and the Filipino grocery store wasn't where I thought it would be - I made it to Carette's shortly after 2:30 pm and settled into the cozy art-deco environment like a cat next to a  warm fire.


With a thick layer of melted cheese, the generous portion of onion soup was the perfect antidote for my chilled fingers. The baguettes, however, are better enjoyed as part of the onion soup than as a sandwich. And even though I don't like to admit it, I did indulge in a pot of their lusciously rich hot chocolate and a mini macaron for dessert. Delicious!

While Carette's Tearoom has been known for its pastries since 1927, I was equally impressed by the professional yet caring attitude of the staff, who went to great lengths to help the elderly gentleman seated next to me. It's people like these who easily dispel the myth that all Parisians are rude.

Although I find Carette's tearoom a bit pricey, it's a good destination for a special treat on a cold day.

Carette
4 Place du Trocadero
75016 Paris
Open 7 days a week from 8:00 am until midnight

25 Place des Vosges
75003 Paris
Open 7 days a week from 8:00 am until 11:30 pm

The grey skies and bone chilling weather had me thinking of snow, but there wasn't a flake in sight yesterday.

Comments

  1. That looks and sounds delicious, Mary Kay! Hope you didn't spill any on your fur coat!

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    1. Ha! I'm always a dainty eater, especially when I wear my fur coat! It's the big diamond rings on all of my fingers that makes it hard to lift my spoon! ;)

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  2. Just saw this AFP item, thought it might be of interest to you: "Le salon professionnel Sandwich & Snack Show se tiendra à Paris (Porte de Versailles) les 15 et 16 février."

    Patricia H

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    1. Many thanks for commenting, Patricia! I haven't seen anything about the Sandwich and Snack Show and it looks very interesting. Even better, I went to the website and it seems that I may be able to get a free entrance badge. I have visitors on those days but will try to go. If I do, I'll definitely write a post about it.

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  3. Wow- I am at Trocadero a lot and I have never noticed Carette! I will now, though. Wish I could have joined you!

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    1. I wish that you could have joined me, too! It's easy to miss Carette because it's tucked in between two other places. On the weekends and at lunchtime there's usually a long line in front. Their onion soup, pastries and hot chocolate are very good but I wouldn't recommend their bread.

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  4. You couldn't find a Filipino grocery? As of six months ago there wre two near there: rue Mesnil and Boissiere just off Place Victor Hugo.

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    1. In spite of seeing quite a few Filipinos with interesting looking grocery bags, I couldn't find the stores. It's probably because I incorrectly thought that they were on Rue de la Pompe so I wandered up and down it about 3 times. It was on Monday, so I also thought that maybe they were closed like many of the other stores.

      Thanks for the additional information. I'll go back and look for them on rue Mesnil and Boissiere. I'm craving dried mangos so I have a strong incentive.

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