The first time I set foot in Paris, I fell in love with the Marais neighborhood. The other thing I fell for – the famous falafel sandwich at L’as au Fallafel.
It’s one of the first places I go when I’m there and I crave it not only because it’s a delicious, filling and cheap meal, but because you can grab one and walk around. The ultimate street food.
But the last time I was there, I heard about a new place in Paris – Miznon Marais, serving up not only tasty falafel with fresh ingredients, but a wide variety of other Mediterranean bites – like ratatouille, hummus, kebabs and get this – roasted cauliflower.
I’m not talking roasted florets. Nope. I’m talking the entire head of cauliflower. Roasted.
I don’t know about you, but for me – cauliflower is just an ok ingredient. Nothing to write home about, but I love roasting almost any vegetable so I was intrigued. I’ll also relish any opportunity to say chouxfleur; and I’m always in search of new tasty addresses to add to my foodie adventures, so off I went.
VISITING PARIS MIZNON MARAIS
When I walked in, the place was clearly a hopping, fun spot with a good vibe. There was music playing, with lots of bass, which made it a bit difficult to hear and order. But, I chalked it up to getting old and decided to roll with it, turn up the decibels on my pipes and belt out my order.
I loved all the brightly colored seasonable vegetables that were lined up, stacked up, and cut up on display and showcased on shelves and boxes throughout the space. Sweet potato, leeks, cauliflower, eggplant and fire-engine red tomatoes – it was what you’d imagine if a famer’s market married a sandwich shop.
It was quite fun watching them make my order – they were clearly having a good time. I chatted them up while I sat at the counter. My falafel was delicious – warm pita, well-seasoned lamb balls, fresh parsley and red onion dressed with tangy sauce.
But the roasted cauliflower was the star of the show. Simply out of this world, succulent, with just the right amount of sea salt and char on top. It was not dried out at all.
Friends, I tell you, it took every ounce of willpower not to devour the entire head in one sitting. I wanted to, but I didn’t.
Common sense prevailed. Luckily they were prepared to box up the rest for take-out (which I scarfed down the next day at my apartment – I wasn’t letting it go to waste!)
Come to find out, Miznon is actually a chain from Israel. Normally, I’m opposed to chains, especially with such awesome independently owned spots to eat in Paris; but in this case, I’m a fan. If chain restos were all this good, the world would be a better place.
L’as just got a run for its money. And run I will, right back to Miznon the next time I’m in Paris. And so should you.
WHERE TO FIND THE PARIS MIZON MARAIS
22 rue des Ecouffes Paris, 75004 || Metro : Saint-Paul || website
