Paris Dining: The Joy of Slow Meals and Lasting Moments

Meals in France aren't just about satisfying hunger; they're about connection, culture, and celebration. I remember a French friend once telling me, “Les Américains mangent pour vivre, et les Français vivent pour manger,” which translates to, "Americans eat to live, but the French live to eat." It wasn’t until I spent a year in France that I fully grasped the weight of this saying.

The first time I experienced the magic of a four-hour, multi-course meal was at my roommate Emi’s parents’ apartment. Sundays in France are sacred—reserved for family, food, and relaxation. I quickly learned that the only stress on Sundays was making sure to grab a baguette early, as most boulangeries close for the day.

Sitting at the dining table, I thought I was already enjoying the main course when I was greeted with soup. But it turned out to be just the entrée—literally the "entry" to the meal. Next came tender rabbit with potatoes and vegetables, a heavenly cheese plate with three distinct varieties, a delicate dessert, and finally, a cup of coffee. For four blissful hours, we shared stories, ripped pieces of baguette, and sipped on red and white wine as if time didn’t exist. Sundays took on a new meaning as I soaked in the slow pace and the art of savoring both food and company.

Even now, whenever I visit Paris, whether dining at Emi’s home or at a restaurant, I know that every meal promises not just food, but an experience. Hours melt away in the flow of conversation as plate after plate appears, each one paired with wine and capped off with coffee. Emi and I, now in our middle age, relish in these moments more than ever, delighting in our tradition of trying new restaurants together—an indulgence we've come to treasure, and we are thrilled to have a bank account that can support a splurge once a visit!

This past January, Emi suggested we visit Café de l’Homme at Place du Trocadéro in the 16th arrondissement for lunch. The

restaurant, frequently featured on Instagram and even in Emily in Paris, didn’t disappoint. I opted for the prix-fixe menu, which included ravioli for the starter, a perfectly cooked steak au poivre for the main course, and a café gourmand—three petite desserts paired with coffee. Walking out of the restaurant that afternoon, flanked by two of my dearest friends, I whispered a quiet prayer of gratitude for such moments of abundance and connection.

Tonight, in a cozy echo of those French Sundays, my husband and I cooked dinner together. After a day of lesson planning, walking the dog, and tackling tasks, we sat down with a glass of wine and took a breath, enjoying the smell of our meal. It was then that I realized—I’ve shifted from eating to live to living to eat. Vive la différence!

Feeling inspired by the charm of slow, meaningful meals and lingering conversations over coffee? If Paris is calling you, join me for an unforgettable experience this March of 2025. Let’s chat about it over a virtual coffee and meeting next week! Send me a message at bethmarshall4@gmail.com for the details!