Mexi&Co

Métro: Cluny La Sorbonne (line 10)
Address: 10 rue Dante, 75005 Paris
Hours: everyday from noon to midnight
Cost: 10 euros (Lunch deal: appetizer+main dish+drink)
Cash only. NO credit card

Passing by on the street, you might miss this tiny place and it was unsure that I pushed the door but then the magic happens! What a change of scenery! Am I still in Paris? It is the size of a matchbox but the atmosphere makes you want to dance between the rickety stools. There are only 15 of them but they are so colorful: red, yellow and bright green!  

It's always reassuring to me when I try a Mexican eatery and I mostly hear Spanish around me. Loving Mexican food so much I should probably start learning Spanish. And you can never go wrong when you see that it is a full house. It was a bit hard to find a stool to seat on. Yes, you have to find your own spot because it is a 2 men's show and between the kitchen and the service they do not have time to pick a place for your ego. So it's like "mi casa es tu casa"! And I love it!

Of course that also means that you need to be a little patient because one waitress/cook/cashier can only so much at a time. Another awesome feature for me: the grocery side! You can buy a big jar of chipotle (8 euros) or of serrano salsa (7.50 euros) for a hefty price but in Paris it is mission impossible to get those so you indulge! At least I did on the chipotle!
 

So, you're going to say: what about the food?! I took the lunch deal which is really what they say a deal or should I say a steal?! I started with a tamale, also a rare find in Paris. It was really plain. I was expecting more kick and spices. It was really good once I added some homemade spicy salsa found on the table.

It was followed by a burrito. It was okay. Not the best Mexican food I ever had in terms of flavors but for the price it was filling and a really fun experience with the music and decor. I would not recommend it for a romantic diner but as far as a fun lunch break goes it was just fine- like a fun little getaway.

Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine

Métro: Trocadéro (line 6 or 9)
Address: 1 place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris
Hours:Monday-Sunday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm (last ticket sold at 6:15pm)
Thursday 11:00 am to 9:00pm (last ticket sold at 8:15pm)
Closed on Tuesday
Cost: 8 euros. Free for kids under 18, EU students aged 18 to 25.
Free for all every first Sunday of the month.
Website: http://www.citechaillot.fr/fr/

Sometimes Paris is full of beautiful surprises that leave you just in awe. I had no idea this place existed and I have to say it is now in my top 3 museums. So basically it is the copycat museum of architecture. It is filled with moldings/replicas of the most beautiful buildings of France such as the cathedral of Reims or Rouen. Everything is clean, accessible and you can actually have a good look at it. It is divided unto 3 sections: the gallery of moldings, the gallery of murals and the gallery of modern architecture. First let's take a look at the Moldings Gallery:

What is really cool is the actual building which is more reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower of which we have a really beautiful view from the windows. It is a huge contrast with the moldings. Some of the castings date all the way from 1880 and has remained unspoiled while some of the originals have been damaged through the years. So it is a great record of what the originals were like prior to their state of deterioration.

 

 
Not all moldings are from religious buildings, you have here a replica of some of the sculptures of the Arc de Triomphe.

 

 I was really moved by the splendor of the following piece. Everything is so immaculate, detailed and refined. The emotions are real and it comes to life the more one looks at it. It took me a good 15 minutes and two times to fully admire all the details and the beauty of it.

On the second and third floor you will find models of more modern buildings. Personally it did not interest me that much and I went quickly through it. I almost missed the door to the third gallery: the Murals. I just could not believe my eyes: life size replicas of churches.
 

I really loved this museum. It felt more like I was traveling and visiting monuments rather than being in a museum. It was a really refreshing experience!

Boulangépicier

Métro: Ternes or Courcelles (line 2)
Address: 73 boulevard de Courcelles, 75008 Paris
Hours:Monday-Saturday 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Closed on Sunday
Cost: 4-6 euros for a sandwich
Website: http://www.boulangepicier.com/

I have to say I am not a huge fan of what French people call the "Jambon beurre" which is the typical baguette sandwich made with ham and butter. But cool and good sandwiches can cost a fortune so it's refreshing to find an affordable sandwich shop with original and creative sandwiches. Well, refreshing but not surprising coming from world reknown French chef Alain Ducasse. Huge kuddos for the even prices, (4.00 or 4.50 euros- no nonsense 4.79) which really makes me happy because I hate carrying all that necessary change. And you can also pay with your credit card! Can you say: Miracle!!!!?

I ordered the "Brioche parisienne au thon" which is a very fancy tuna sandwich on a sweet bread. A bit small compared to other sandwiches in the shop but the price is right: 4.50 euros for this baby. It's not made from a tuna can, don't insult the chef but instead it is a pure joy in mouth. It's made with thin slices of tuna steak, beansprouts, coriander and a horseradish sauce. It's a sublime combination. I might have to go back and try the other sandwiches or the full lunch box.