Tis Me Michelle

We made it to the final day! Yes, this trip was that quick. My flight was early the next morning. So I started early and did as much as I could.

I made a reservation at this spot called Cafe Pli. I found it on TikTok. It’s a place where you can write a letter and have it mailed to you (or someone else) in 1, 5, or 20 years. But first, I of course had to grab some breakfast.

I chose a spot called Boulangerie Polka. On the way, I saw a line for another boulangerie. There wasn’t a line at Polka, but it had a vibe I loved. I could tell this spot took pride in the quality of what they made. Everything looked beautiful and delicious. I landed on a pain au chocolat and a baguette. But I couldn’t help but think about the place with the line, so I went back. It’s called Boulangerie Utopie. Overwhelmed by the choices and line, I got a black sesame croissant-type pastry and a chorizo bread situation. I found both items from Utopie underwhelming. I am curious if the line became a line because people saw a line, like me. Or if the bakery is actually known for something or beloved. Neither item was particularly flavorful, and they didn’t taste fresh. I had high hopes for the sesame pastry. From Polka, the baguette was good, but the pain au chocolat. One of the best I’ve had, ever. I wish I had ordered more there. Not that I had anywhere for it to go.

Then I made it to Cafe Pli. The reservation came with a beverage, so I ordered a peanut butter latte. It was no good. However, the activity itself was right up my alley! I am a journaler… I mean, duh. I took my time there and reflected as I wrote to my future self. Loved getting to wax seal it closed. And can’t wait to receive it 5 years from now, wherever I’ll be. After that, I went shopping!

I was determined to shop in Paris on this trip! Ya know, with that extra suitcase and all. The first store, which was all over my TikTok, was Merci. I understand why people like it, but I found it overly priced and rather basic. I really wanted the baseball cap, not for 55 euros, though. That ended up being a bust.

One item I really wanted was a new purse. I was on the hunt to get my friend a Polene purse. Similar to Merci, I get it, but it wasn’t for me. Of all the places I went, Polene was the only one with a line, a sizable one. I visited a few locations, but none of them had a good inventory. It felt… Unnecessarily elitist. The purse I got for them was cute, and I almost bought one too, but the setup was not my vibe. I headed to a store I researched on my own, RSVP. Very similar to the boulangerie I visited earlier in the day, there was no line. Another small store with quality products and a very friendly staff. The bags were simple yet unique. As they produced a limited quantity of each design. It was pricey, but I ended up getting ‘The Batman’. Felt like one of my first ‘big girl’ purchases. They even give you a drink to celebrate.

I grabbed lunch close by at a restaurant with a blind tasting menu, JJ Beaumarchais. It’s probably best to get a reservation, but I took my chances, and since it was just I… I was able to snag a seat. You get to choose between a 3 or 4-course meal for lunch, and I opted for 3. I mean, I did have all those pastries and baked goods for breakfast. As with many tasting menus, they are smaller dishes, but thoughtful and beautiful. I was very intrigued by the combinations. It was such a creative use of simple ingredients and flavors. The first dish was seared tuna and a fried squash blossom. The tuna was fine. The blossom was the star. I could have had a million of those blossoms, so delicately delicious. Then there was a dish with pork and mushrooms. I liked the multiple uses of mushrooms in terms of variety and how it was prepared. Finally, the dessert was interesting. It was an elevated smoothie bowl. A scoop of sorbet, the smoothie element. A dollop that tasted like whipped Greek yogurt, accompanied by berries and nuts, with a few additions. Honestly, I kind of wanted to be disappointed, but it was a delight.

After lunch, I stopped by a nearby beautiful cathedral, and then did just a bit more shopping. I had one more splurge at Byredo. I had been wanting a perfume, one I enjoyed and didn’t give me a headache. After trying a few, I settled on a scent called Blanche, which is super fresh and clean. I was done spending outrageously. I headed to the hotel for a break after all the walking and eating. Of course, I stopped for my second mochi dessert next door to the hotel. After a break, knowing I was limited in time, I went back out.

I headed to another souvenir shop from TikTok, Marin Montagut. Much like Merci, I get it… But between getting soaked in a downpour, just before arriving at the store, and it being full of people. The store really didn’t stand a chance. I like cutesy, touristy, kitchy things. Lord knows, I have pretty much every random Parisian-related thing at home. But none of the items spoke to me. I needed to try off and recoup from my annoyance. It was still pouring, so I went right next door to a restaurant, Cafe Madame.

Was I hungry? Not even a little, but did I need to sit in peace and warm up? Yes. I got a ‘French’ onion soup and a glass of wine. It totally hit the spot. And I did dry up pretty well over time. Then I went to one last TikTok recommendation, La Grand Epicerie. I must have been most excited to go here, but I think I was both shopped out and over these super touristy type places. I did get some delicious things. The butter and jams were fantastic. But I wish I had found such things at more local, unique spots. Then I headed back to the hotel to pack.

I wasn’t ready to leave Paris without one last meal. Stopped at an unpretentious place up the street from the hotel, Le Montaigne. I ordered steak frites, which I wasn’t expecting much from. Again, this place wasn’t fancy or pretending to be. It simply hit the spot. My waiter gave me the rundown of desserts, which I was going to skip… But I hadn’t had a creme brulee this trip… When in Paris?! Somehow… It was one of the best creme brulee’s I’ve ever had.

My time in one of my favorite cities in the world came to an end. Final recap, coming soon!

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