L.A. à La Carte | Food & Culture

One thing I missed out on my first trip to #paris was trying a lot of traditional #French dishes. Most of the dinners I booked were tasting menus and restaurants that were more modern interpretations of French cuisine. For lunch I booked reservations at a lot of traditional bistros and things, with the intention of trying all of the quintessential French Classics throughout my visit, but I ended up canceling all of my lunch reservations once I realized there was way too much to see and do on a first visit to spend that much time on a midday meal. So the second time around, I made sure to leave plenty of meal times available to try some of the dishes I missed. One of the ones I was most excited to try was #cassoulet. I’ll have to wait until my next visit to #france to try the dish where it originated in the Languedoc region, but I kept reading that @lassiette.paris made the best in Paris, so that’s where I headed. Recipes vary, but it starts with a foundation of white beans (here Mogettes de Vendée) and various rich meats (L’Assiette issues duck confit, sausage, and lamb neck) that are slow baked until a crispy crust forms. The crust is periodically broken and stirred back into the stew, only to allow it to form anew and the process repeated. The result is one of the most truly cozy comfort foods that exist. Pair this with a charming bistro atmosphere and friendly service, over in the 14th arrondissement, so a bit out of the way of the throngs of tourists, and you have L’assiette. Also don’t sleep on the crème caramel dessert. #laalacarte