Am I nuts to expect to actually cook in a rented apartment in Paris?
Jan 15th, 2012, 10:36 AM
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Am I nuts to expect to actually cook in a rented apartment in Paris?
For the first time we are staying in an apartment (http://www.alacarte-paris-apartments...-Pantheon.html) during part of our stay in Paris. I am planning on cooking dinner one night for my DH and a friend. Not considering a full five course menu out of Julia Child but a simple meal. As I stand in my fully equipted kitchen I wonder if I will have what I need to cook even a simple meal. If you have rented an apartment did you feel that you had what you needed to actually cook a mean? TIA.
Jan 15th, 2012, 10:50 AM
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I think the apartment should be equipped for simple meals. We've just returned from our 3rd apartment stay in Paris and each has been equipped for casual meals - pans, utensils, some spices. If there are specific things you will need I would send the company an email with your concerns.
After seeing the beautiful produce from the neighborhood markets I think it will be difficult to make your choice for dinner - so many fresh and delicious items!
After seeing the beautiful produce from the neighborhood markets I think it will be difficult to make your choice for dinner - so many fresh and delicious items!
Jan 15th, 2012, 10:56 AM
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We were fine. What with the local charcuterie's prepared items, the fascinating local markets, take-out places, and the supermarket, it is amazing what one can put together in Paris without actually doing real cooking. We spent many evenings in doing out own "cooking" rather than going out.
But, OTOH, I would inquire about this from the place you are renting becasue I have been places that had really almost nothing at all even in terms of cooking and eating articles to those that almost have more than I have at home.
But, OTOH, I would inquire about this from the place you are renting becasue I have been places that had really almost nothing at all even in terms of cooking and eating articles to those that almost have more than I have at home.
Jan 15th, 2012, 11:01 AM
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I do some pretty simple dishes when I cook in a rental apartment, maybe a pasta with protien and a veggie. I always travel with a little container (actually a pencil box) with s+p and a few spices that I use every day at home, this way I don't have to buy what I need if I am only cooking once or twice. It saves you money and you are cooking with familiar things.
On the other hand, I have picked up things at an ourdoor market, spices included and thrown something together that was great.
And the last thing I do, especially if we are staying a fairly long time, is pick something up at Picards, the frozen food store, and just cook a veggie or make a salad to go with it.
When I am traveling I usually hit a wall with restaurant food and getting ready to go out to dinner and having a nice 2-3 hour dinner, I just want to eat something simple and familiar and have it over with, so yes, we do cook sometimes.
On the other hand, I have picked up things at an ourdoor market, spices included and thrown something together that was great.
And the last thing I do, especially if we are staying a fairly long time, is pick something up at Picards, the frozen food store, and just cook a veggie or make a salad to go with it.
When I am traveling I usually hit a wall with restaurant food and getting ready to go out to dinner and having a nice 2-3 hour dinner, I just want to eat something simple and familiar and have it over with, so yes, we do cook sometimes.
Jan 15th, 2012, 11:16 AM
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No, you are not nuts to think you might cook. It can be very relaxing. You'll have easily obtainable high quality ingredients that will make anything you do taste great.
My study-abroad kid had no oven, a small microwave, a barely functioning mini-frig, and one operative burner. To feed herself daily, she relied on, sigh!, fresh bread, fresh cheese, decent but cheap wine, great berries/other seasonal fruit, coucous, lovely vegetables and...
...Picard frozen meals (up the Picard locations--surprisingly good stuff).
For desserts for friends, she would splurge on a tarte or gateau from her bakery across the street.
Also, when she and I had taken cooking classes in Paris a few years ago, the chef told us we were NUTS if we didn't take advantage of those rotisserie chickens (never pumped full of that artificial flavoring stuff as in the US) with the potatoes cooked in the drippings you see in the streets. So two friends and she made a standing rotisserie chicken date every two weeks. They would just concoct a lovely salad and cook a nice fresh veg to go with it.
She could pick up everything she needed within one block of her apartment.
In essence, she had friends over all the time for meals in her studio garret. Not only was it relaxing, but also she felt she ate and cooked better with limited equipment and resources than she does now in her well-equipped kitchen in her quite "foodie" town where her US university is located.
I think the equipment you might have in your rental will be far less important than the quality of ingredients at your fingertips and the company you shall have. Ergo--you will have a GREAT and very easily made meal.
My study-abroad kid had no oven, a small microwave, a barely functioning mini-frig, and one operative burner. To feed herself daily, she relied on, sigh!, fresh bread, fresh cheese, decent but cheap wine, great berries/other seasonal fruit, coucous, lovely vegetables and...
...Picard frozen meals (up the Picard locations--surprisingly good stuff).
For desserts for friends, she would splurge on a tarte or gateau from her bakery across the street.
Also, when she and I had taken cooking classes in Paris a few years ago, the chef told us we were NUTS if we didn't take advantage of those rotisserie chickens (never pumped full of that artificial flavoring stuff as in the US) with the potatoes cooked in the drippings you see in the streets. So two friends and she made a standing rotisserie chicken date every two weeks. They would just concoct a lovely salad and cook a nice fresh veg to go with it.
She could pick up everything she needed within one block of her apartment.
In essence, she had friends over all the time for meals in her studio garret. Not only was it relaxing, but also she felt she ate and cooked better with limited equipment and resources than she does now in her well-equipped kitchen in her quite "foodie" town where her US university is located.
I think the equipment you might have in your rental will be far less important than the quality of ingredients at your fingertips and the company you shall have. Ergo--you will have a GREAT and very easily made meal.
Jan 15th, 2012, 11:50 AM
#7
AGM, I've never rented an apartment in France [though i have rented a few gites, where the equipment has varied greatly in standard and variety] but in the UK, tourist board accredited establishments have to supply an inventory. Perhaps your apartment has one?
However, just supposing that your apartment lets you down, you could not be in a better place to lay on a feast without having to actually cook anything.
However, just supposing that your apartment lets you down, you could not be in a better place to lay on a feast without having to actually cook anything.
Jan 15th, 2012, 11:55 AM
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I rent apartments in Paris and have also stayed at the apartments of Parisian friends for many years. If the apartment is totally new to me, then I always pack some kitchen items that I use regularly at home. One never knows what items will be in a kitchen. I have yet to get an apartment that has a spatula. I always pack one. It's a bit difficult to flip an egg without a spatula.
One item that I personally need is a fry pan. As long as I have a fry pan I can cook a very good meal. I do a lot of stir fry types of dishes. I'm used to cooking that way at the apartments that I've rented for many years in Bangkok and I also cook that way, from time to time, here at home in L.A., and especially when it's really hot. It's a quick way of cooking a meal. Then I just pour the stir fry mixture over some rice and that's it.
Apartment kitchens, in different countries, can be stocked differently than what one is used to at home. I've been doing the apartment thing, around the world, for a long time. In my Bangkok apartments, there's a huge wok-style, stir fry pan which is too big for me being one person. So, I pack a small fry pan. And again, I pack a spatula.
I rent apartments so that I can cook, as I absolutely hate being restaurant dependent. For me it just messes up my day if I have to always be wondering where I'm going to eat for dinner or especially having to make restaurant reservations and eat at specific times.
I do eat lunch out almost daily, but the restaurant is less than a 5-minute walk from the apartment and I've eaten at the same restaurant since the 80s. It's a local hangout and I drop in and either eat there or have the owner wrap my food to go and go back to the apartment and eat it. Then at dinner time, I either drop back by the same lunch restaurant and get some food to go or drop into Picard or the grocery store and pick up a few items.
I also rent apartments in order to have more space than the cramped space of a hotel room. The apartment that I rent is in the building next door to one of the hotels that I stayed in for 9 years. The hotel room was around 15 square meters, if that, whereas the apartment is around 45 square meters and with two bathrooms which is convenient if a friend wants to fly over and also stay. And the price that I get on the apartment is about the same as the price that I would get on the hotel room. So, for me, it's apartments all the way. Smiles. Happy Travels!
One item that I personally need is a fry pan. As long as I have a fry pan I can cook a very good meal. I do a lot of stir fry types of dishes. I'm used to cooking that way at the apartments that I've rented for many years in Bangkok and I also cook that way, from time to time, here at home in L.A., and especially when it's really hot. It's a quick way of cooking a meal. Then I just pour the stir fry mixture over some rice and that's it.
Apartment kitchens, in different countries, can be stocked differently than what one is used to at home. I've been doing the apartment thing, around the world, for a long time. In my Bangkok apartments, there's a huge wok-style, stir fry pan which is too big for me being one person. So, I pack a small fry pan. And again, I pack a spatula.
I rent apartments so that I can cook, as I absolutely hate being restaurant dependent. For me it just messes up my day if I have to always be wondering where I'm going to eat for dinner or especially having to make restaurant reservations and eat at specific times.
I do eat lunch out almost daily, but the restaurant is less than a 5-minute walk from the apartment and I've eaten at the same restaurant since the 80s. It's a local hangout and I drop in and either eat there or have the owner wrap my food to go and go back to the apartment and eat it. Then at dinner time, I either drop back by the same lunch restaurant and get some food to go or drop into Picard or the grocery store and pick up a few items.
I also rent apartments in order to have more space than the cramped space of a hotel room. The apartment that I rent is in the building next door to one of the hotels that I stayed in for 9 years. The hotel room was around 15 square meters, if that, whereas the apartment is around 45 square meters and with two bathrooms which is convenient if a friend wants to fly over and also stay. And the price that I get on the apartment is about the same as the price that I would get on the hotel room. So, for me, it's apartments all the way. Smiles. Happy Travels!
Jan 15th, 2012, 12:07 PM
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Posted by Susanna,"When I am traveling I usually hit a wall with restaurant food and getting ready to go out to dinner and having a nice 2-3 hour dinner, I just want to eat something simple and familiar and have it over with, so yes, we do cook sometimes."
LOL! I agree. I also hit a wall, real quickly, with restaurant food while traveling. The thought of eating out every meal, for me, is tiring and especially when one has three food allergies. And many times I like to eat something simple and very nutritious.
I save the meals that are too complicated for me to cook, in a rental apartment, to the restaurants; like when my Parisian friend and I go out for Moroccan food or Thai food. It would take too much to try to produce such meals in a rental apartment although I can do it here at home. But, here at home, I have a chef-style kitchen. Smiles. Happy Travels!
LOL! I agree. I also hit a wall, real quickly, with restaurant food while traveling. The thought of eating out every meal, for me, is tiring and especially when one has three food allergies. And many times I like to eat something simple and very nutritious.
I save the meals that are too complicated for me to cook, in a rental apartment, to the restaurants; like when my Parisian friend and I go out for Moroccan food or Thai food. It would take too much to try to produce such meals in a rental apartment although I can do it here at home. But, here at home, I have a chef-style kitchen. Smiles. Happy Travels!
Jan 15th, 2012, 12:26 PM
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I am realizing my 'simple' meal is more complex than most people do. I know that I have options if the kitchen doesn't have what I need so that it ok. I can't image getting frozen foods in France when I don't at home.
Jan 15th, 2012, 12:26 PM
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"Grassshopper on Jan 15, 12 at 1:05pm
Sounds like fun. I've rented apartments (in Paris as well as other places) that had a full range of spices and others that had nothing."
Very true.
I've been in places where I've had to go out and buy the basics; salt,pepper, and cooking oil. Then I leave the items behind for the next person. But, the apartment that I now rent is fully stocked. Plus, the owner, who's from N.Y., flies over to her Paris apartment and really checks up on things. And if there's something that the apartment needs, then the renters can make recommendations and the apartment is then supplied with the item.
I've seen the improvements over the years with a lot of things that have been added to the apartment from kitchen items to cable TV, internet service, free phone calls to the U.S. etc. And as for the cost, that apartment has cost me the same as other apartments that have been pretty bare. So, a lot depends on the apartment owners. Happy Travels!
Sounds like fun. I've rented apartments (in Paris as well as other places) that had a full range of spices and others that had nothing."
Very true.
I've been in places where I've had to go out and buy the basics; salt,pepper, and cooking oil. Then I leave the items behind for the next person. But, the apartment that I now rent is fully stocked. Plus, the owner, who's from N.Y., flies over to her Paris apartment and really checks up on things. And if there's something that the apartment needs, then the renters can make recommendations and the apartment is then supplied with the item.
I've seen the improvements over the years with a lot of things that have been added to the apartment from kitchen items to cable TV, internet service, free phone calls to the U.S. etc. And as for the cost, that apartment has cost me the same as other apartments that have been pretty bare. So, a lot depends on the apartment owners. Happy Travels!
Jan 15th, 2012, 12:45 PM
#13
Every apartment is different. I've rented some that were as well fitted/supplied as mine at home, even w/ condiments/spices/oils.
Others have been just very basic and breakfasts/snacks/sandwiches were about it.
You really need to contact the owner/agent to find out what is supplied.
Others have been just very basic and breakfasts/snacks/sandwiches were about it.
You really need to contact the owner/agent to find out what is supplied.
Jan 15th, 2012, 12:57 PM
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I haven't rented an apt in Paris but I have in other cities. Some extremely small kitchens and it's been fine.
Remember to bring some spices. For a people who use as little salt and my husband and I, we have quite a collection from all over.
Remember to bring some spices. For a people who use as little salt and my husband and I, we have quite a collection from all over.
Jan 15th, 2012, 01:06 PM
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Bien Sur....we always cook in a couple of meals while we are in Paris even if is a rotisserie chicken and potatoes and a nice veggie or salad that we pick up at the market and some good bread and pick up some great olive oil for bread dipping or dressing with a fresh lemon. Have not been to Picard yet but not into frozen much as usually too salty. Oh must pick up some great wine of course or bottle of bubbly and maybe Monsieur Kerouac will show up for dinner!
Jan 15th, 2012, 01:07 PM
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"AGM_Cape_Cod on Jan 15, 12 at 1:26pm
I am realizing my 'simple' meal is more complex than most people do. I know that I have options if the kitchen doesn't have what I need so that it ok. I can't image getting frozen foods in France when I don't at home."
As for frozen foods, I don't buy a lot of them here at home as it's easy to get fresh all year here in L.A. when it comes to vegetables, for example. But, different types of frozen foods do come in handy when one is on vacation and also in a vacation rental situation. For me, all of those fresh vegetables that I have in my fridge regularly here at home, won't fit into the tiny fridge of the Paris apartment that I rent. So, it's easier for me to go to Picard or the supermarket and buy a bag of frozen mixed vegetables and then put the bag in the freezer. Then I know I have vegetables and don't have to use them immediately as they won't go bad. And I don't have to grocery shop as much when I have some frozen food items.
Also Picard and other grocery store-carried frozen brands do have some quite tasty frozen foods. My Parisian friend lives mostly off of Picard frozen food as Picard is close to his apartment. They have very good soups that he dumps it into a glass bowl and sticks the bowl into the microwave and it's ready in a very short time. Plus, the soup comes in frozen cubes, so one can use only as many cubes as one needs. I've eaten a lot of Picard food when I've stayed at my friend's place, as his cooking skills are not fine tuned, to say the least. LOL! Happy Travels!
I am realizing my 'simple' meal is more complex than most people do. I know that I have options if the kitchen doesn't have what I need so that it ok. I can't image getting frozen foods in France when I don't at home."
As for frozen foods, I don't buy a lot of them here at home as it's easy to get fresh all year here in L.A. when it comes to vegetables, for example. But, different types of frozen foods do come in handy when one is on vacation and also in a vacation rental situation. For me, all of those fresh vegetables that I have in my fridge regularly here at home, won't fit into the tiny fridge of the Paris apartment that I rent. So, it's easier for me to go to Picard or the supermarket and buy a bag of frozen mixed vegetables and then put the bag in the freezer. Then I know I have vegetables and don't have to use them immediately as they won't go bad. And I don't have to grocery shop as much when I have some frozen food items.
Also Picard and other grocery store-carried frozen brands do have some quite tasty frozen foods. My Parisian friend lives mostly off of Picard frozen food as Picard is close to his apartment. They have very good soups that he dumps it into a glass bowl and sticks the bowl into the microwave and it's ready in a very short time. Plus, the soup comes in frozen cubes, so one can use only as many cubes as one needs. I've eaten a lot of Picard food when I've stayed at my friend's place, as his cooking skills are not fine tuned, to say the least. LOL! Happy Travels!
Jan 15th, 2012, 02:34 PM
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Picard has some amazing and delicious products and no one should be put off by the fact that these foods can be microwaved in short time or just taken from the box and put in an oven. There are some very sophisticated offerings they provide so it's a lot more than just soup in boxes (although those are quite tasty). This store is amazingly popular with French people and the French are known for their taste in good food so I don't think Picard would be as popular as they are if the French found the food to be substandard.
Jan 15th, 2012, 02:37 PM
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As someone who owns a rental place in France, I would totally expect to be able to cook just about anything in a rental unit. But I've also rented places that were very sparsely furnished with cooking utensils. So ask.
Picard IS amazing. Just saying.
Picard IS amazing. Just saying.
Jan 15th, 2012, 02:44 PM
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<i>If you have rented an apartment did you feel that you had what you needed to actually cook a meal?</i>
Generally, yes, in four out of five different rentals in Paris. (The fifth one was a studio; there wasn't room to swing a cat. Or cook one, for that matter.)
As others have noted, the availability of fresh produce, meat, fish, and poultry is irresistible. We have cooked some pretty elaborate meals over the years, such as roasting a Guinea fowl for Christmas dinner in a flat on rue des Petits Champs. One thing stands out: it won't be like like your kitchen at home, either in terms of cooking gear or in basic supplies.
For cooking gear, we have generally been able to improvise, either by using a different implement or by pressing into service something that is a different shape or size than the one we have at home. When pressed, we have bought (and left in the apartment) small things like sieves, measuring cups, and knives.
Spices and condiments will be another challenge. If you want to add a clove to your lentils, there probably won't be any. Bay leaves? Fresh garlic? Not likely. And if there are any, you won't know their age. You can find all that kind of thing at Monoprix or in specialty stores.
As I think about it, the only other advice I can offer is to stand in the apartment kitchen and visualize what equipment and supplies you will need for the meal that you are planning to serve. Then check to see if it's there. If not, consider getting it in. Or choose a different menu.
Generally, yes, in four out of five different rentals in Paris. (The fifth one was a studio; there wasn't room to swing a cat. Or cook one, for that matter.)
As others have noted, the availability of fresh produce, meat, fish, and poultry is irresistible. We have cooked some pretty elaborate meals over the years, such as roasting a Guinea fowl for Christmas dinner in a flat on rue des Petits Champs. One thing stands out: it won't be like like your kitchen at home, either in terms of cooking gear or in basic supplies.
For cooking gear, we have generally been able to improvise, either by using a different implement or by pressing into service something that is a different shape or size than the one we have at home. When pressed, we have bought (and left in the apartment) small things like sieves, measuring cups, and knives.
Spices and condiments will be another challenge. If you want to add a clove to your lentils, there probably won't be any. Bay leaves? Fresh garlic? Not likely. And if there are any, you won't know their age. You can find all that kind of thing at Monoprix or in specialty stores.
As I think about it, the only other advice I can offer is to stand in the apartment kitchen and visualize what equipment and supplies you will need for the meal that you are planning to serve. Then check to see if it's there. If not, consider getting it in. Or choose a different menu.
