Panza LLena,
Corazón Contento
A culinary exploration

In the United States, everything is so go, go, go. We fill our streets with chain restaurants and fast food stands. Of course, there are many sit-down places to enjoy from my hometown but people do not savor things the same way. Once the waiter sets down the check, you typically do not stay around. In France, the opposite is true. I came to not expect fast service. I knew that if I wanted to eat at a local spot, I should budget about two hours of my time. The food would be made with quality and care that you otherwise would not receive from a quick service spot.

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When it came to meals, you could expect something different in every restaurant. For breakfast, many places offered something called petit dejeuner -- a small dish usually served with viennoiseries, a warm beverage, and small jams. Many places offered specials such as this where you could try a small portion of breakfast items to enjoy a larger meal during the day. 

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Lunch and dinner were often at a sit-down restaurant and accompanied by a beverage of choice. These plates would be larger and the cuisine would vary from place to place. Traditional French cuisine could be found next door to a local falafel stand. Restaurants would stay open late into the evening since the city is wide awake until the sun sets around 10. 

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Throughout the day, snacks and small plates could be found on nearly every road. You could stop in a bakery and pick up some pain au chocolate. You could swing by a gelato stand and enjoy a cool treat. You could come across a local fruit stand and pick up some of the freshest produce you have ever tasted. Paris is a foodie's dream with new surprises around every corner.

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For a more grown-up experience, alcohol could be found in nearly every restaurant and sold in every store. I am not much of a drinker but I noticed that the few times I purchased a drink I was never once carded. Even on a family-friendly food tour of the city, wine was flowing and not seen as something taboo here. For my classmates who are more knowledgeable about alcohol, they pointed out that most of the items sold here were cheaper as well and none of them were ever asked to verify their age before drinking. This was one of the biggest cultural shocks for me since the United States is often strict about alcohol and its access to those underage.

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The entire time I was in France, I never once had a meal that I did not enjoy. I had quick sandwiches from local grocery stores and brunches that set me back an entire paycheck. The food quality here was quite different. The breads were less processed, the dairy could go unpasteurized, and the alcohol would unapologetically (and safely) flow. In France, food is more than just something you eat because you need it to survive. You take your time, savor your meal, and enjoy carbs in every single dish.