At These Restaurants, Feeding the Staff Comes First
The “family meal” tradition of serving workers before customers is getting new life as a perk, a motivator and a teaching tool.
By Julia Moskin
May 24, 2024
When Eric Ripert was a young cook at La Tour D’Argent, possibly the oldest restaurant in Paris and certainly one of the stuffiest, all the cooks sat down before service to a proper French meal: appetizer, entree, dessert and cheese.
He is hardly nostalgic for his time there. (“I have PTSD” from the experience, he said.) But he had that meal in mind when he posted a job opening for “Staff Meal Chef” at Le Bernardin, his temple of seafood in Midtown Manhattan, making it one of only a few U.S. restaurants to hire a chef just to cook for its own employees.
Serving and sharing a meal before diners arrive is a longstanding tradition in the culinary world — at restaurants that can afford it. In most kitchens, especially in fast food and casual dining, workers have to stagger their breaks and bring or buy their own food. Even at high-end restaurants, staff meal has often been a last-minute effort, with line cooks scrambling to refuel their co-workers as quickly and cheaply as possible.
But many American chefs are devoting new attention and care to staff meals, or family meals, as they are often known. In a notoriously abusive industry, the mental and physical health of employees has become a priority, and retaining staff has become an imperative amid a post-pandemic labor shortage. With benefits and perks like family meal, restaurants are trying to build loyalty among employees. Increasingly, they’re also using the meal as a teaching opportunity, a testing tool and a creative incubator.
Mr. Ripert said that he created the position at Le Bernardin because the daily struggle to get family meal ready affronted his pride in a kitchen that runs like clockwork. “It got under my skin,” he said.
On a May afternoon, a few weeks into his new job as the restaurant’s staff-meal chef, Noah Steers was loading a cart with trays of shawarma-style chicken, turmeric-tinted rice, beet salad, Greek salad, tzatziki and chocolate mousse. He had to feed 100 employees between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., a task complicated by the fact that his kitchen is many corridors and an elevator ride away from the converted storage room where the workers eat.
When Mr. Steers applied for the position, his experience cooking in Thailand, Peru and Mexico impressed Le Bernardin’s chef de cuisine enough that he was offered a job in the kitchen, but he chose this role instead.
“It’s more creative than being at a station prepping the same thing every day,” he said, racing through the bowels of the office tower that houses the Le Bernardin complex.
The tradition of restaurant workers breaking to eat together exists in many parts of the world. The French system that produced Mr. Ripert, encoded by the chef Auguste Escoffier in the 19th century, was designed for busy hotel kitchens that served steadily from breakfast through dinner. Cooks ate while they sweated at the stove, and the job of keeping them on their feet with food and drink was delegated to the lowest person in the culinary hierarchy: the “communard,” who ranked above only the “kitchen boy” and the bussers.
The low status of the role — and the low quality of the meal, at most restaurants — was the standard in the United States until very recently. Long before food waste became a public concern, chefs were preoccupied with squeezing every cent from their budget. Family-meal cooks had to build meals on scraps, trimmings and food on the verge of spoiling, usually bulked out with a starch like pasta or rice.
But as the farm-to-table movement took off and the culinary profession attracted more recruits, that changed. In 1999, “The French Laundry Cookbook” by Thomas Keller included recipes for “staff lasagna” and salad dressing. In 2000, David Waltuck, the chef and co-founder of Chanterelle in TriBeCa, dedicated an entire cookbook to the subject: “Staff Meals from Chanterelle.”
Along the way, “staff meal” has become “family meal,” emphasizing the emotional connections forged by sharing food during a lull in the tornado of service.
In most ambitious U.S. restaurants, there’s now a tub of ingredients dedicated to family meal, or a shelf in the walk-in labeled “comida.” At this time of year, there might be asparagus that aren’t pretty enough for the dining room, or an overflow supply of ramps.
Figuring out how to turn those into a satisfying spread is what makes family meal a proving ground for cooks. Cheetie Kumar, the chef of Ajja in Raleigh, N.C., said she uses it as a teaching tool, and a test.
“It’s an opportunity to develop all the skills that turn a cook into a chef: planning, breaking a recipe down to its components, delegating and managing time.”
And it frequently produces signature dishes. At Budonoki in Los Angeles, the chef Dan Rabilwongse said, two dishes created for family meal have made the jump to the regular menu: charred sweet potato with miso butter and chives, and fried chicken wings tossed in a South Asian-ish sauce (based on the skewers at Disneyland’s popular Bengal Barbecue stand).
The chef Fariyal Abdullahi said that posting photos of family meal at Hav & Mar in Manhattan to her 28,000 Instagram followers is part of her mission to help customers connect with the people who make their food, not just the ones who bring it to the table.
She also uses family meal as a motivator to get reluctant employees to work on Sundays, by supplying the lead line cook, Victor Estolano, with the ingredients for a sprawling Filipino feast.
“Family meal refuels not only your body, but your spirit and your mood,” said Mr. Estolano, who has worked in kitchens for 11 years.
Musashi Osaki, a sous-chef in Brooklyn, said he tries to achieve the combination of lightness and nourishment that he observed in family meal when he worked as an apprentice in Kyoto, Japan.
Mr. Osaki has shot to sudden fame in TikTok videos made by his partner, Jasmine Stoy, that show him cooking in their home kitchen and behind the scenes at Restaurant Yuu in Greenpoint. Often, he’s seen stirring soup or roasting vegetables for family meal, to prepare the team for serving 15 courses to 18 guests twice each night, in a theatrical sequence of culinary choreography.
“Family meal isn’t considered as social time,” he said. “We actually need the fuel.”
Mr. Osaki grew up working at his parents’ busy sushi restaurant near the Hamptons and moved to Kyoto when he decided to pursue a culinary career. Like the other cooks at the traditional kaiseki restaurant, who had committed to 10-year apprenticeships, he often worked from 7:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. six days a week, with family meal — always a soup, a protein and rice — as the only break in the day.
Laila Bazahm, the chef of El Raval in Austin, Texas, is one of many chefs who encourage employees to bring their home-cooking skills to family meal. She grew up in the Philippines, worked as a banker in Dubai and decided at age 26 to move to San Sebastián in Spain to train at the celebrated restaurant Mugaritz. As at most high-end European kitchens, she and the other unpaid interns (called stagiaires) were responsible for family meal, an experience she describes as “terrifying” for an unskilled cook.
She fell back on adobo, the food of her childhood. Later, at her restaurant in Barcelona, Hawker45, the staff hailed from so many parts of the world that Thai curries, Senegalese stews and Vietnamese soups all came to influence the menu.
“We used to trade family meal with nearby restaurants,” she said, a goal she’s now trying to achieve in Austin.
Family meal rarely observes standard mealtimes. At Hawker45, because many Spanish restaurants don’t open for dinner until 8 p.m., staff meal was served at 7 p.m.; at El Raval, it’s at 4 p.m.
Family meal is served at 6:30 in the morning at Koko Head Cafe in Honolulu, an all-day breakfast spot created by the chef Lee Anne Wong. It has to be good to get employees to come to work on time, she said. “In Hawaii, people don’t think twice about having rice and protein first thing in the morning,” so family meal might be bibimbap with Spam, or congee with fish.
Parche is a new restaurant in Oakland, Calif., dedicated to modern Colombian food, where the chef and owner Paul Iglesias encourages the cooks making family meal to start with a cookbook. The classic “Gran Libro de La Cocina Colombiana,” commissioned by Colombia’s culture ministry and published in 1984, is the one cookbook that his mother, a professor of art history, brought along when the family immigrated to the United States.
“It opens their eyes to Colombian food: the Lebanese and Turkish influences from the Atlantic port of Cartagena, the breads we make from cassava and yuca and corn, before Spanish settlers brought wheat,” Mr. Iglesias said.
The staff’s favorite family meal is buñuelos, cheese puffs stuffed with meat that are so popular that he has to enforce a rule of two per person. Parche’s family meal is open to every employee whether they are working that day or not. “No questions asked,” he said.
At Le Bernardin, where the restaurant’s famously fresh fish start pouring in before sunrise, there are two family meals each day. Mr. Ripert said he has only one rule when it comes to feeding his cooks: meat and poultry are preferred.
“They get a bit tired of seafood,” he said.

1. Mainland China - Cuisine: Chinese Mainland China stands out for its authentic Chinese cuisine. The restaurant is known for its flavorful dim sums, aromatic soups, and exquisite seafood dishes. The elegant ambiance and impeccable service make it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
2. Nho Saigon - Cuisine: Vietnamese Nho Saigon brings the essence of Vietnam to Mumbai with its vibrant and fresh dishes. From traditional pho to banh mi and fresh spring rolls, this restaurant offers a delightful Vietnamese dining experience. The use of fresh herbs and authentic ingredients ensures a memorable meal.
3. SeeSaw - Cuisine: Mediterranean SeeSaw is a haven for Mediterranean food lovers. The menu features a range of dishes from hummus and falafel to fresh salads and grilled meats. The stylish decor and relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect spot for a casual yet sophisticated dining experience.
4. The Nutcracker - Cuisine: American The Nutcracker is a cozy spot that offers an array of American comfort food. Known for its hearty breakfasts, pancakes, and burgers, it’s a great place to enjoy a casual meal. The warm ambiance and friendly service add to its charm.
5. Suzette - Cuisine: French Suzette is a charming French café known for its delicious crepes, salads, and sandwiches. The fresh, high-quality ingredients and simple yet elegant preparation make it a popular choice. The cozy setting and delightful pastries are perfect for a leisurely brunch or a quick bite.
6. Rue Du Liban - Cuisine: Lebanese Rue Du Liban offers a taste of Lebanon in the heart of Mumbai. The menu features a variety of mezze, kebabs, and traditional Lebanese dishes. The stylish interiors and aromatic flavors transport diners to the Middle East, making it a unique culinary journey.
7. Maiz - Cuisine: Mexican Maiz is the go-to place for authentic Mexican cuisine. From tacos and enchiladas to guacamole and churros, the menu is vibrant and flavorful. The lively atmosphere and colorful decor enhance the dining experience, making it a fun and festive place to eat.
8. The Homemade Cafe - Cuisine: Italian The Homemade Cafe offers a homely Italian dining experience with its delicious pasta, pizzas, and desserts. The use of fresh, local ingredients and traditional recipes makes every dish a delight. The cozy interiors and friendly staff add to the restaurant’s appeal.
9. Shiv Sagar - Cuisine: Vegetarian Shiv Sagar is a vegetarian’s paradise, offering a wide range of Indian and international dishes. Known for its dosas, pav bhaji, and chaat, it’s a popular spot for a quick and satisfying meal. The casual setting and extensive menu cater to all tastes.
10. Banana Leaf - Cuisine: South Indian Banana Leaf is celebrated for its authentic South Indian cuisine. The restaurant serves a variety of dosas, idlis, and traditional South Indian thalis. The flavors are rich and authentic, making it a favorite for those craving a true South Indian meal.

• Chicken breast (skinless boneless) - $5.99 per lb -- Standard Adonis pricing, but still lower than average non-sale prices you see elsewhere.
• Chicken drumsticks - $2.49 per lb -- More fair-rate chicken.
• Chicken legs - $2.99 per lb -- Again, fair rate.
• Rainbow trout - $7.99 per lb -- Nice! That's a good price for trout! $2/lb less than average sale price.
• Beef osso bucco - $6.49 per lb -- Good price for osso bucco.
• Lebanese cucumbers - $1.97 per lb -- Nice! 6 units should run you about 1lb and $2.
• Romaine lettuce - $2.97 3-pack -- Nice! About $1-2 less than averages non-sale pricing.
• Potatoes - $6.00 2 5lb bags -- Fair price for potatoes.
• Strawberries - $5.00 fro 2 454g shells -- Great price for strawberries! I'll have to check these out…
• Navel oranges - $2.97 3lb bag -- Good rate for standard fruit, hitting that $1/lb mark I like to see.
• Lemons - $2.97 2lb bag -- Fair for lemons.
• Brick cheese (Armstrong) - $4.99 400g bar -- Good to see $5 brick cheese.
• Halloum (Cedar, Pheonicia) - $1.97 per 100g -- Nice rate for nice grilling cheese.
• Feta (Makler) - $1.99 per 100g -- Average sale for feta. Sometimes can be cheaper. But I wouldn't pass it if I needed feta for a meal.
• Deli - Beef bologna (Solmaz) - $1.49 per 100g -- Oh wow, $1.49/100g sales all around this week.
• Deli - Turkey breast (Alzahraa) - $1.49 per 100g -- Love the Adonis deli.
• Deli - Mortadella (San Daniele) - $1.49 per 100g -- Live by the Adonis deli.
• Deli - Smoked or Black Forest ham - $1.49 per 100g -- Die by the Adonis deli.
• Honey (Cedar) - $7.99 1kg jar -- Great rate for honey!
• Canned tomatoes (Unico) - $4.00 for 2 796ml cans -- Decent price for Unico tomatoes. Not a stock-up price, however.
• Produce Price Rating: Medium, but always has well-priced chicken, the deli meat sale rotations are always fantastic, and just the overall variety of goods is refreshing. Personal favourite store.

• Whole chicken (grade A) - $2.99 per lb -- Decent price for whole chicken.
• Ground turkey (extra lean) - $3.99 450g pack -- Decent sale price for ground poultry.
• Beef (boneless blade roast, AAA) - $9.99 per lb -- A little pricey, but sometimes the cut merits a premium and if you're only option is Farm Boy this week.
• Hothouse tomatoes - $1.78 per lb -- Nice! Reasonable price for tomatoes (but not the best, as we'll see later in the flyer).
• Zucchini - $1.49 per lb -- Decent!
• Cucumbers - $5.00 for 4 -- Good price for cucumber! Better than $2…
• Sweet peppers - $3.99 4-pack -- Worth checking out. Weigh the pack on a scale. If it's over 2lbs, it's a good deal as peppers often go for over $2/lb.
• Cosmic Crisp apples - $1.88 per lb -- Not the best price for apples, but it's a nice variety.
• Deli - Roasted turkey (all varieties) - $2.99 per 100g -- Not the greatest deli rate, but the variety is worth checking out.
• Produce Price Rating: High

• Turkey (frozen) - $0.98 per lb -- WOW! Amazing price for turkey! What a weird surprise, but I'll take it!
• Sausage (Marc Angelo) - $4.88 500-675g 4-pack -- Great price for sausag! I'd get a pack or two for a BBQ this weekend!
• Eggs (Selection) - $5.48 18-pack -- Not a door-crasher, but it makes it worth it getting the 18-pack over the 12-pack.
• Sweet Potatoes (and purple variety) - $1.28 per lb -- Good rate for some good ol' roots. I'd like to see 99c or even 1.18/lb, but this still ok.
• Cauliflower - $3.98 per head -- Fair price for a cauli. The best price you'll find is about $2. But, if they're nice big heads, get one.
• Cucumbers - $3.00 for 2 -- Meh price for cucumber.
• Fresh greens (Attitude) - $2.88 142g bin -- Nice!
• Green beans - $2.88 340g bag -- Nice!
• Bartlett pears - $0.88 per lb -- Very nice!! Get some pears!
• Cosmic Crisp apples - $0.88 per lb -- Wait a tick, Farm Boy has these for twice the price! These can't be much different. Snag some!
• Strawberries - $1.88 454g shell -- Awesome price! I'd get a pack or two, especially if they're fragrant and look juicy!
• Lemons - $1.88 2lb bag -- Awesome price for lemons!
• Brick cheese (Black Diamond) - $4.88 400g bar -- Includes Galbani Mozzarella
• Maple syrup - $5.88 500ml can --
• Produce Price Rating: Low to medium low

• Beef (boneless crossrib roast, AAA) - $8.99 per lb -- Decent rate for AAA beef.
• Celery - $2.69 per head -- Nice!
• Apples (Gala. Red Delicious) - $1.29 per lb -- Scene Member Price.
• Bread and Tortilla (Dempsters) - $6.00 for 2 -- Includes whole grain loaves and 6-8 packs of tortilla.
• Produce Price Rating: Medium-high to high.

• Bacon (Schneiders) - $3.99 375g pack -- Scene Member Price.
• Mini cucumbers - $1.88 6-pack -- Awesome price for minis!
• Grape tomatoes - $1.88 pint -- Weight is hard to peg. A pint usually refers to 340g, but can't be certain.
• Celery - $2.49 per head -- Very nice price for celery!
• Yellow potatoes - $2.49 5lb bag -- Great price for potatoes! It's hard to find bags like this for less.
• Bok choy - $0.99 per lb -- Nice!
• Nappa - $0.99 per lb -- Nice!
• Flat Cabbage - $0.99 per lb -- Nice!
• Snap and snow peas - $1.88 200g pack -- Fair rate for snap and snow peas.
• Garlic - $1.29 5-pack -- Great price! I like getting these bigger packs and roasting, and using the paste for various dishes, especially homemade hummus.
• Clementines - $5.49 3lb bag -- Fair sale price for clementines.
• Blueberries - $1.88 170g shell -- Nice sale price for berries!
• Sesame oil (Kadoya) - $4.49 163ml bottle -- This is a good price for sesame oil, I believe. Bottles usually go for at least a $2+ more.
• Dawn dishsoap - $10.49 2.64L jug -- Good rate on dish soap! These big bottles are where it's at for value.
• Produce Price Rating: Low to medium low (more on the medium side)

• Broccoli - $1.88 per crown -- Decent price for broc. We've seen them for much less, like 88c a crown, but this isn't bad given we've also seen $3 crowns.
• Mushrooms (sliced) - $1.88 227g shell -- Nice! Careful with sliced as they can bruise easily. Walmart has the better deal on mushrooms this week.
• Asparagus - $2.49 1lb bunch -- Nice price! Average is more in the $3-4 range except when there's a big crop that comes into town.
• Tomatoes - $2.49 4-pack -- Worth weighing in-store. If it's less than $2/lb, then you're ok, $1-1.50/lb is where the real savings exist.
• Pineapple - $2.88 each -- Nice! Snag one!
• Apples (Ambrosia, Red Delicious) - $2.88 3lb bag -- Great price for fruit!
• Cara Cara oranges - $3.88 3lb bag -- Ohhh these are my favourites. Soooo tasty!
• Clementines - $3.88 2lb bag -- Fair price for clementines.
• Margarine (Parkay) - $1.88 427g tub -- Awesome price for a tub of margarine.
• Produce Price Rating: Generally on the low side.

• Ground beef (medium) - $3.49 per lb -- Awesome price for ground beef!
• Steelhead trout - $9.77 per lb -- Faigood sale for fish.
• Pork back rib - $3.49 per lb -- Scene Member Price.
• Hotdog weiners (Lesters) - $13.00 3kg 80 units -- Scene Member Price for Friday Saturday. $16 regular price.
• Pork shoulder (Nagano) - $3.49 per lb -- Fair sale for shoulder, but it could be better….
• Mini cucumbers - $1.23 6-pack -- Fantastic price for minis!
• Vine tomato (Savoura) - $1.49 per lb -- Good bulk pricing for vine tomatoes (but you'll see there's better elsewhere).
• Butter lettuce - $1.49 per head -- Hmm, interesting. I wonder about the real weigh of these heads.
• Raspberries and Blackberries - $1.93 170g shell -- Scene Member Price.
• Brick cheese (P'tit Quebec) - $4.87 400g bar -- Good ol' sub-$5 cheese!
• Brie (Brise du Matin) - $3.99 300g wheel -- Nice! These are big wheels for really cheap!
• Feta (Saputo) - $3.99 200g tub -- Fair rate on feta.
• Ricotta (Fiorella) - $3.99 300g tub -- Good deal!
• Deli - Smoked ham (Gaspésien) - $2.69 per 100g -- Average pricing for deli ham. But it ain't Adonis deli pricing….
• Pâté (Compliments) - $3.49 150g pack --
• Produce Price Rating: Medium

• Ground beef (medium) - $3.99 per lb -- Good price for ground. There's better. So long as you stick under $4/lb, you're getting a good deal.
• Chicken breast or thighs (skinless boneless) - $4.99 per lb -- Fair price. I wouldn't pass this if Independent was my only stop of the day. But, for savings, I might also look at different cuts, like drumsticks or legs, and just remove the skin. But keep that skin for roasting and boiling into stock!
• Chicken legs - $2.99 per lb -- Fair price for legs. It's hard to find weeks where it's cheaper, and it if it is, it's usually a drive out to a specific store. Not a stock-up price.
• Pork back rib - $2.99 per lb -- Fair rate on ribs.
• Steelhead trout - $9.99 per lb -- Fair price for trout.
• Corn - $0.59 each -- Nice! Decent price for corn!
• Grapes (red and green, seedless) - $2.49 per lb -- Great price for grapes!
• Brick cheese (No Name) - $4.49 400g bar -- Good ol' sub-$5 cheese!
• Deli - Ziggy's ham (selected varieties) - $1.99 per 100g -- Nice! This is a great rate on deli! Check out what this includes in-store.
• Frozen fruit - $1.99 300-400g bags -- Optimum Member Price. Regular 3.49.
• Toilet paper - $14.99 30 rolls -- Optimum Member Price. Regular 21.99.
• Produce Price Rating: fairly high with few exceptions

• Chicken wings (PC) - $4.99 per lb -- Fair price for wings, but kinda lackluster, too. Make sure to check other flyers, especially the T&T and Greenfresh. They often have wings for half this price.
• Pork tenderloin - $2.00 per lb -- WOW! Fantastic price for tenderloin! Hopefully it isn't like the ribs fiasco of last week, where it was limited quantities only…
• Ground beef (lean) - $3.99 per lb -- Good price for ground. There's better. So long as you stick under $4/lb, you're getting a good deal.
• Steelhead trout - $9.99 per lb -- Fair price as any pink fish goes.
• Corn - $0.59 each -- Nice! Decent price for corn!
• Potatoes - $2.99 5lb bag -- Nice! Good price for potatoes.
• Strawberries - $1.99 per 454g shell -- Great price for strawberries!
• Brick cheese (No Name) - $4.49 400g bar -- Good ol' sub-$5 cheese!
• Deli - Ziggy's ham (selected varieties) - $1.99 per 100g -- Nice! This is a great rate on deli! Check out what this includes in-store.
• Frozen fruit - $1.99 300-400g bags -- Interesting… Not an Optimum Member price… Just $2…
• Toilet paper - $14.99 30 rolls -- Interesting… Not an Optimum Member price… Just $15…
• Produce Price Rating: fairly high with few exceptions

• Ground beef (medium) - $3.77 per lb -- Ahh, a little better than their sister stores. This a great rate on ground. It juuuuust cracks the stock-up price.
• Pork tenderloin - $2.99 per lb -- Fair price for tenderloin.
• Steelhead trout - $9.99 per lb -- Fair price as any pink fish goes.
• Chicken breast (skinless bone-in) - $3.99 per lb -- Funny ehough, Loblaws has splt, bone-in breasts with skin for $4.99/lb. Provigo deal is better, in my opinion.
• Chicken wings - $3.99 per lb -- Ah, slightly better than Loblaws, but it's QC-side only.
• Eggs (No Name) - $2.49 12-pack -- Optimum Member Price. Regular 4.19.
• Corn - $0.59 each -- Nice! Decent price for corn!
• Potatoes - $2.99 5lb bag -- Nice! Good price for potatoes.
• Strawberries - $1.99 per 454g shell -- Great price for strawberries!
• Brick cheese (No Name) - $4.49 400g bar -- Good ol' sub-$5 cheese!
• Deli - Ziggy's ham (selected varieties) - $1.99 per 100g -- Nice! This is a great rate on deli! Check out what this includes in-store.
• Giuseppe frozen pizza (Dr. Oetker( - $4.99 each -- Optimum Member Price. Regular 8.99. Just more of a reference. I was literally talking about these pizzas last week being ridiculous at $8-9.
• Toilet paper - $14.99 30 rolls -- Optimum Member Price. Regular 21.99.
• Produce Price Rating: fairly high with few exceptions

• Chicken legs (with back) - $3.00 per lb -- Fair price for chicken legs with the back. Not a door crasher or stock-up price, but it'll make a fair budget meal nonetheless.
• Cucumber - $0.75 each -- Awesome! I like cheap cucumber!
• Vine tomatoes - $0.84 per lb -- Awesome! Hard to find cheap tomatoes like this!
• Salad and coleslaw kits - $2.00 340-397g bags -- Very nice!!! Half-price compared to the average.
• Green beans - $4.00 380g pack -- Good rate on green beans!
• Eggplant - $2.00 per lb -- Not bad. Basics had theirs last week (ending today) for 99c/lb. I actually made eggplant parm with that sale. Turned out amazing!
• Fresh greens (Attitude) - $3.00 142g tub -- Fair sale price for fresh salad greens.
• Potatoes (Imperfect) - $5.00 15lb bag -- YES!!! I love these bags of potatoes. I wish they were more common across other chains.
• Cantaloupe - $1.84 each -- Awesome price! Usuually along the $3-4 line.
• Navel oranges - $4.00 3lb bag -- Fair rate for oranges. A little above that $1/lb for standard fruit, but it's fair.
• Mangoes - $5.00 for 4 -- Great price, especially considering I just saw Sobey's have mangoes for $2 each…
• Cortland apples - $5.00 4lb bag -- Nice! Cortlands are nice apples, especially for cooking into pies.
• Margarine (Lactantia) - $2.00 427g tub -- Great price for a butter alternative.
• Sugar (Lantic) - $5.00 2 2kg bags -- Good price for sugar.
• Flour (No Name) - $11.00 10kg bag -- Nice! If you bake a lot, never pass up these 10kg bag deals.
• Produce Price Rating: Generally medium low pricing! This store can post some impressive deals at times.

• Chicken breast or thighs (skinless boneless) - $4.88 per lb -- Awesome price for chicken breast! I personally don't often stock up on chicken breast, but if it's a preference of yours, I might get a pack or two to freeze.
• Pork tenderloin - $2.99 per lb -- Fair sale price for tenderloin.
• Pork back rib - $2.99 per lb -- Fair sale price for pork rib.
• Beef outside round roast and value-pack steaks (AAA) - $7.99 per lb -- Hmm, this might actually be worth snagging if you're in the mood for a nice AAA cut.
• Beef inside blade roast (AAA) - $7.99 per lb -- Inside blade and outside round are the same price this week!
• Veal shank osso bucco - $5.99 per lb -- Ouu, this is nice to see. Beef shank is one thing, veal shank ends up much more tender.
• Bacon (Selection) - $3.99 375g pack -- Good price for bacon, but the brand is a little low-end. I wouldn't stock-up on this unless it's $3 a pack.
• Milk (Lactantia) - $4.99 4L bagged -- Good small sale on milk.
• Green beans - $0.88 per lb -- WOW! AMAZING deal on green beans! Like, 75% off. Go wild and get a bunch! You'll only get a better deal with frozen veg.
• Brick cheese (Black Diamond) - $4.99 400g bar -- Nice! $5 cheese!
• Olive oil (O-live) - $11.88 1L bottle -- WOW! Given olive oil prices and how inelastic they are, it's wild to see olive oil cheaper than $14/L.
• Canned tomatoes (Unico) - $4.00 for 2 796ml cans -- Like the Adonis deal. It's a fair price, but not a stock-up price.
• Tomato paste (Unico) - $0.89 156ml can -- Fair sale price. I like stocking up at the 75c-ish mark.
• Cube stock (Aurora) - $5.00 for 4x 6-cube packs -- Nice! It sounds like a lot of stock cubes, but it keeps forever. Get some chicken, beef, and maybe mushroom, and herb. You'll have enough variety for lots of different meal ideas.
• Produce Price Rating: High. Kinda like Sobeys. You can see a 50% average mark-up compared to a lot of other stores. It's nice produce, but it costs you.

• Pork back rib - $2.99 per lb -- More fair priced pork rib.
• Pork chops (bone-in) - $2.99 per lb -- Nice price for chops. More value than the ribs, but it's a different cut. Slow-cooked chops don't hit like slow-cooked ribs.
• Sausages and meatballs (Marcangelo) - $10.90 1kg pack -- Nice price for good quality sausages and meatballs.
• Vine tomatoes - $0.88 per lb -- AWESOME! I love seeing sub-$1/lb tomatoes. It's about time! /cry
• Green onions - $0.88 per bunch -- Nice! These have more often been ranging over $1.
• Avocados - $3.99 5-6 pack -- Fair price for cado.
• Cauliflower - $3.99 per head -- Fair price for cauli.
• Mini cucumbers - $3.99 11-pack -- Nice! Considering a 6-pack can range up to $4, this is a good deal.
• Snap peas - $4.99 425g bag -- Nice! Kinda matches the Freshco deal.
• Mandarines - $3.88 4lb bag -- Very nice! Mandarins often float more into the 1.25/lb range, so under $1/lb is quite good.
• Apples (Imperfect) - $3.99 6lb bag -- Nice price for apples! They may be ugly, but who cares. Our obsession with fancy-grade fruit borders on the ridiculous.
• Navel oranges - $3.99 3lb bag -- Fair price for oranges. A little over that $1/lb mark for standard fruit, but this is ok.
• Ricotta (Saputo) - $7.00 300g tub -- Good price for ricotta. Lasagna Tip: prep your ricotta with some ground nutmeg, ground pepper, and chili flakes along with well-drained spinach to get a nice flavour and bang out of that lasagna layer.
• Gouda cheese curd - $6.00 200g bag -- Gouda curd? Hmm… I've never seen this… And as prices go, it ain't bad. I wonder how it stacks against St-Albert.
• Coconut milk and water (Grace) - $1.25 400-500ml can -- Nice. These are often closer to 1.50+.
• Flour (No Name) - $10.99 10kg bag -- Nice! More cheap flour!
• Jasmin rice (Ox Head) - $17.88 7kg bag -- Optimum Member Price. Regular 22.88.
• Plastic wrap (Glad) - $0.88 30m roll -- Wow! Normally, these rolls are about $3-4 depending on the store. Get some!
• Foil and wax paper (Titan) - $0.88 25ft roll -- Wow! Normally, these rolls are about $3-4 depending on the store. Get some!
• Dishwasher tabs (Finish) - $9.99 30-pack -- Decent deal on washer tabs.
• Toilet paper (Royale) - $7.99 15 roll -- Good price for a smaller, carryable, student-friendly format pack. Though as always, bulk is better. If you can, buy and split a bigger pack with some friends.
• Produce Price Rating: Generally quite low, selectively amazing for some items.

• Pepper steak - $6.99 per lb -- Nice! I wonder about the exact cut they used for this, but the price is right!
• Chiken breast (back removed, skin on) - $3.99 per lb -- Nice! Good price for chicken breast. And having the skin on is actually nice. It lends to a moister end result. Fry these skin down to start, and then bake them skin up.
• Marlin loin steaks - $13.99 per lb -- COOL! Freakin' MARLIN! Rare fish to see on our shelves. Makes for a nice treat!
• Cauliflower - $2.99 per head -- Very nice sale on cauliflower!
• Green beans - $1.69 per lb -- Great price for green beans. It doesn't beat that 88c Metro sale, but still 50% less than average.
• Sweet potatoes - $0.99 per lb -- Nice! I like seeing sweet potatoes at this rate.
• Grape tomatoes - $1.69 pint -- Good price!
• Clementines - $1.49 per lb -- Decent deal on bulk clementines.
• Produce Price Rating: Medium-low with very competitive specials on a shortened flyer. The small flyer is nice because it doesn't uselessly feature $6 heads of cauliflower and extremely high-price items that are either a confusion on the consumer, or an insult on the injury of not being able to afford supreme quality items.

• Ground beef (lean, Halal) - $10.00 1.1kg pack -- Or, 5/lb.
• Rainbow trout - $10.99 per lb -- Fair price for pink fish. There's better elsewhere, however…
• Cucumber - $3.50 3-pack -- Good price for cucumber!
• Vine tomatoes - $0.88 per lb -- Awesome price for tomatoes!
• Corn - $3.00 4-pack -- 75c an ear ain't bad, but we saw some 59c ears across Loblaws stores.
• Celery - $2.99 per head -- Fair price for celery. The upper average is about $4 a head, low end sale price is about $2. So, this is right in the middle.
• Potatoes (Imperfect) - $5.00 15lb bag -- Niiiice! I love this deal…
• Mini carrots - $3.99 2lb bag -- 2lb is about 900g, and the smaller bags are usually 340g for $2. So, it's a fair savings.
• Feta (Ziggy's) - $8.00 400g tub -- Fair rate for sale feta.
• Deli - Turkey or Chicken breast (PC Natural) - $2.90 per 100g -- I wish these deli prices were lower, but this is kind of the going rate for poultry deli. Adonis is the only store where you might find a better deal week-to-week.
• Canned tomatoes (Unico) - $1.25 796ml cans -- WOW! STOCK-UP PRICE!!!
• Produce Price Rating: Generally medium-low pricing, selectively amazing for some items.

• Beef brisket - $4.99 per lb -- Scene member price. 99c regular, which is really no deal at all.
• Rainbow trout - $10.99 per lb -- Fair price for pink fish.
• Chicken breast (boneless skinless) - $5.88 per lb -- Ok price for chicken breast. I'd sooner hit the Metro for chicken breast, hands down.
• Pork shoulder - $3.49 per lb -- Fair price for pork shoulder. $3 would be a nice price to see.
• Ground beef (regular) - $4.99 per lb -- Average sale price for ground beef, especially this week given you can find it for 3.49/lb.
• Corn - $0.77 each -- Scene member price. $5.99/lb regular, which is still very reasonable. But later in the flyer, they advertise another brisket for 7.99/lb. Tread carefully.
• Brick cheese (Armstrong) - $4.47 400g bar -- Good ol' $5 cheese.
• Sesame oil (Eight Treasures) - $3.99 185ml bottle -- Hmm! Frescho's sesame oil deal doesn't seem as good now given this bottle has more for less.
• Produce Price Rating: Generally a high price store, especially for produce. Some items are 50% more than more value-oriented stores. Kinda like Metro, some of the deals can be quite good.

• Ground veal (lean) - $3.99 per lb -- Nice! Ground veal for $4/lb. That's cheap!
• Chicken drumsticks and thighs - $1.99 per lb -- Nice! Very good price for drumsticks and thighs. It's not often you'll find them for less, and it's usually a hunt across town to get them. If you're in the area, get some, and stock up a little.
• Beef cross rib roast - $4.99 per lb -- WOW! Great price for beef! No grade indicated, so probably sourced from Mexico. So, mileage may vary on the quality of the cut. But it's still a great price. I wouldn't pass it up.
• Beef stewing cubes - $4.99 per lb -- WOW! Great price again for beef, just cubed this time!
• Pork shoulder - $2.99 per lb -- Aha! There's my $3/lb shoulder!
• Cod fillets (fresh) - $9.99 per lb -- Nice! Cod is usually a little pricier, so to find it at $10/lb is noteable.
• Cucumber - $0.99 each -- Nice! $1 cuces!
• Vine tomatoes - $0.99 per lb -- Great price for tomatoes!
• Eggplant - $0.99 per lb -- Awesome price for eggplant! Usually closer to $2/lb or more.,
• Zucchini - $0.99 per lb -- Awesome price for zucchini!
• Radishes - $0.99 per bunch -- Great price for radishes! Hard to find them for less this time of year.
• Green onions - $0.99 per bunch -- Nice!
• Green cabbage - $0.99 per lb -- Nice! Not as many good cabbage deals going around, so this is fair!
• Rutabaga - $0.99 per lb -- Nice!
• Pears (Bartlett, Bosc) - $0.99 per lb -- Nice! $1/lb fruit is a great rate!
• Red Delicious apples - $0.99 per lb -- Nice! $1/lb fruit is a great rate!
• Blueberries - $1.88 170g shell -- Good price for blueberries!
• Pineapple - $1.99 each -- Awesome! Snap-up a couple of these! Next time they're on sale at Basics, I'm getting a few and I'm going to try my hand at making a pineapple cider.
• Cretons (Norel) - $5.99 300g tub -- Cretons can range quite a bit in price. Some places sell half the weigh for only a $1 or so less.
• Canned tuna (Clover Leaf) - $0.99 170g can -- Great price for canned tuna!
• Tofu (soft or dessert, Sunrise) - $0.99 300g pack -- While it's on the soft and dessert kind, this is half the price at last compared to most weeks
• Produce Price Rating: Generally low, but can creep into medium for some items. But, there's always something decent available!

• Bacon (Deli Express) - $3.27 375g pack -- Fair price for bacon. I'm not sure of the brand and quality, however. It should be decent, but tread carefully and make sure the fat lines aren't too thick,
• Mushrooms - $0.94 227g shell -- AWESOME! This is a great rate on mushrooms given the average going rate is about $4/lb.
• Romaine lettuce - $1.94 3-pack -- Nice price for lettuce!! Haven't seen a $2 3-pack in a while.
• Brick cheese (Armstong) - $4.87 400g -- More cheap brick cheese. Always have a bar in your fridge.
• Canned tuna (Clover Leaf) - $0.97 170g can -- Nice! More cheap tuna! Makes for easy weekend lunch sandwiches.
• Tooth paste and toothbrushes (Colgate, Crest) - $0.84 95-100ml -- This is a good deal! Toothpaste often floats between $1-2 a tube.
• Earth's Own plant bev - $3.47 1.75-1.89L -- Nice! A little bit of a discount. Not "Earth shattering" but it "holds its Own" lol… Bad punnery…
• Produce Price Rating: A little all over the place. Some really good prices between a lot of average pricing.

• Paper Towel (Kirkland) - $27.99 12-roll pack -- 2-ply; 160 sheets
• Paper Towel (Bounty) - $27.49 12-roll pack -- 2-ply; 86 sheets
• Toilet Paper (Kirkland) - $25.99 30-roll pack -- 2-ply; 380 sheets
• Toilet Paper (Cashmere) - $24.99 40-roll pack -- 2-ply; 250 sheets (on sale)
• Dish soap (Dawn Platinum) - $18.99 2.66L -- Food Basics often has this jug for $10!
• Laundry detergent (Purex) - $24.99 9.24L -- 250 loads
• Garbage bags (30 gallon; large) - $15.99 100-pack -- Amazon has Glad standard 74L bags, 100-packs for $23, sometimes less if on sale
• Countertop green bin liners - $21.99 125-pack -- Amazon has Glad Compostable green bin liners 100-packs for $18, sometimes less if on sale
• Produce Price Rating: I need to do a proper check to be sure, but I find it's pretty average. There's an illusion of getting a good deal because of the bulk. Just be careful.

• Produce Price Rating: I have to start checking these just in case...

• Produce Price Rating: Sometimes they have cheap butter, eggs, and milk on weekends.

• Grocery Review Google Drive Location https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xhLvBP1smXb1eSnxAW5yyBjO2aYFLJHC?usp=sharing
• Cooking Tips and Recipes https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TCcHm9y0kWIa3x18hznKN2ix0BPcUv-m?usp=drive_link
• Google Maps list of the Grocery stores in Ottawa https://maps.app.goo.gl/YT7cZmv8vMQWU4J59

Section 1 - Biography

Section 2 - Assets and debt

Section 3 - Income

Section 4 - Travel expenses

Diary

• 10am - I get to the train station (having packed my bag half an hour before) and stop by my go-to boulangerie for a cinnamon bun (technically it’s an escargot), brie sandwich and caramel buerre sable (€11.00). It turns out my train is delayed by 30 min :(
• 10:40 - Our delayed train finally leaves. Ii get a shockingly chatty neighbor (considering it’s Europe) an hour into the trip. She’s off to visit her son and they’re going to prague for easter. Also she’s a psychologist.
• 1pm - We arrive in Paris. I take my time since I have several hours to kill, so I wander. I spend so long trying to decide where to stop for a coffee. The 8th arrondissement is terrible for reasonably priced beverages.
• 3pm - I finally stop at a brasserie for a café allongé. While I’m alternately enjoying the sun/shirking the rain, I also order a chocolate mousse (yum) (€8.70).
• 4pm - Time for my job interview of sorts! I’m trying to move to Paris in the fall and this opportunity is the most interesting one to come up so far, even though the salary isn’t great. Since I was passing through Paris anyway, I agreed to come in person for this test. It’s actually a practical exercise that I have 75 min to do. I eat a proffered dark chocolate and get to work.
• 5:30pm - I finish the test and walk to the train station. I’m feeling pretty good about how it went! I find a babrasserie nearby and drink a glass of white wine and complementary peanuts (€6.50).
• 6:40pm - Time for the train to Rouen, on which i finally eat my sable from this morning.
• 8:30pm - I arrive at the airbnb. My phone has stopped working for some reason so t god the host comes out to get her pizzas that she ordered because I would have been stranded otherwise. We have a nice chat, as she’s very friendly and her apartment is charming and cosy. I’m jealous, as my current apartment is not those things. I refuse to think about how low her rent or mortgage must be here. Pain!
• 9pm - I walk 5 min and get pizza from the same place she did. Neopolitan and a jug of water (€8.90). As I’m eating it, I think, “perhaps I actually didn’t want anchovies?”, but too late to go back now.
• 9:45pm - I return and settle in with Barbara Pym (Less than Angels). Soon I’ll have finished her oeuvre and then what will I do??
• 11:30pm - bed time

• 9am - I wake up more or less, futz around the apartment for a while, drink some fruit tea, pack my bag so it’s ready for later and head out. I also realize my phone wasn’t working because i needed to top up the data so I do that (€20 but not really vacation spending and not counted in the total in the title as it’s a monthly bill)
• 10am - wander for a little bit, get cash from an ATM (€30 - not counted in total spend), go to the boulangerie/patisserie that the airbnb host recommended and have a café allongé and a raspberry croissant (€3.90).
• 11am ish - I walk over to the Musée de Beaux-Arts, which is free! You have to buy a ticket for the temporary exhibit, but I skip that. There are lots of nice impressionist works and a special exhibit of david hockney art for the normandy impressionism festival.
• 1pm - lunch! I order the menu formule for fun but have immediate regret when my appetizer comes out because i am an idiot and didn’t think through the implications of ordering a goat cheese and smoked salmon parfait. The taste is good but it’s way too rich for me and the texture is kind of disturbing. I eat it on bread, which is probably a faux pas but I persevere. I don’t finish it. My kir normand is delicious though. The eggplant lasagna is in line with my expectations and I follow up on the meal with an espresso (€22.50). I go to the bathroom afterwards and end up talking to yet more chatty french people!! I’m hitting hall of fame numbers here.
• 2:30pm - I walk over to the Saint-Ouen Abbey and feel a bit sick from the parfait 👍🏻 then head to another church/
• 3pm - I accidentally walk into active mass at the cathedral (church #3), having forgotten that today is Good Friday. The hymns are beautiful but I sneak out after a few min.
• 3:23 - I buy an apple at Carrefour (€0.84)
• 3:38 - I buy pajamas shorts with bugs bunny playing baseball (€25) from a boutique and then go to another cute store and try stuff on, none of which fits me. I also try on the pajama shorts (the changing room was blocked off at the other place) and they’re too small :( so I go back and trade for a medium, thankfully still with bugs bunny.
• 4pm - Then, I head to the place du vieux marché and visit yet another church, this one modern and stunning on the inside. On my way back to the airbnb, I stop at a drug store and find some fave lotion with spf 50 included, which i feel like I've been seeking for months (i guess the pharmacies near me hate me) (€15.90). When I get back to the apartment, I spend a few min charging my phone and buy my train ticket to Caen (€21.10).
• 5pm - On the train. I respond to the email informing me I’ve moved onto the next stage of the recruitment process after the test yesterday :-)
• 7pm - I check in at the hostel and chill a bit. They put a hold on my card for one night’s cost (not counted as it’s never actually taken out of my account, since I don’t trash the room) and charge me the city tax (€1.60). I chat with the other person in the room and she gives me some recommendations for the city including an Iranian restaurant that i decide to go to for dinner.
• 8:15 - I walk over to the restaurant. Kind of weird vibes as I walk the streets but maybe that’s just because it’s much less pedestrianized than Rouen? I will have to see it tomorrow in the daylight to make a real decision.
• 8:30 - The restaurant is cozy and the food is good. i get the vegetarian “assiette découverte”, which is a cold potato egg thing of which I was skeptical but which is quite nice plus moussaka, saffron rice and a little salad. I drink water (France is my ally because tap water is mandatory and free, as it should be!) and a cheap glass of red wine, generously poured. I have a pistachio pastry for dessert. A nice meal and I make knowing eye contact with another woman who is eating alone. The thrill of mutual recognition. I also finish my book. (€20)
• 9:15 - I stroll back to the hostel. There are more people out in the city now so it seems a bit livelier, but I’m still not convinced.
• 9:30 - I do my duolingo and my nyt games and go to sleep at around 11:15.

• 4am - Wake up for no reason. The joy of hostel life. Fall quickly back asleep
• 7:12am - Wake up well before my alarm and doze for a while.
• 7:55 - Think to check the train times to go to Bayeux and realize that there’s a gap of an hour and half between trains this morning (sncf!!!), which is a pain in the ass, so i rush to get ready and basically run to the station to make the 8:24 train. I leave my stuff unlocked in the room, so I hope no one steals it!
• 8:18 - I make it on the train and while sitting (before it leaves), I buy my ticket. €6 for a 15min train ride seems kinda steep but ok…
• 9am - I stop by a hipster cafe in Bayeux for a cappuccino and a cinnamon bun (€7.50).
• 9:15 - The big thing to do in Bayeux is see the Tapestry of Bayeux and its associated museum. Very interesting! (€12)
• 10:45 - I explore the town a bit. It’s quite charming imo. Also, my boss is from here or the greater town area, which is fun. On the way to the cathedral, I stop by a small art gallery that is free and has an exhibit of mostly work by art students. There’s one painting of the sea that I especially like.
• 11:20 - The cathedral is beautiful, of course. I’m particularly struck by the couple of “modern windows” that gleam from the outside.
• 11:50 - Train back to caen. It’s only €4.10 this time bc it’s a different train (??), so my discount card applies.
• 12:15 - I buy two bus tickets as I’m now finally going to the seaside at Ouistreham (€3.60).
• 1pm - Off the bus and I find a place where I can fulfill my one mission for this whole trip: oysters and a glass of white wine. I order 9 N°3 Normandy oysters. it comes with bread and a little salad and i enjoy every moment. (€23)
• 2pm - I see two kids eating ice cream and decide to follow their lead. I get a chocolate ice cream cone (€2.50). Then I spend an hour or so walking along the beach, reading the D-Day related plaques and looking at the ocean (really the English Channel but whatever). At one point, there are some people playing the bagpipes right near a monument to a Scottish piper who disembarked with the D-Day forces. I assume it’s a tribute and I find it quite moving.
• 3:20 - Bus back. I use the second ticket i bought in Caen.
• 4:05 - Back at the hostel and no one stole my stuff! I chill for a few min to charge my phone. I also make the tragic decision to skip the museum I wanted to go to tomorrow, which I think would have been very interesting, about WWII and the D-Day landings, because unfortunately the transit situation tomorrow is way messier than I thought it would be, so I’m gonna opt to take the train at 10am, so that I get back to Paris before night fall and also so I don’t have to pay ~€65. I book the tickets. (€35.90)
• 4:35 - I walk the streets of Caen! First I stop by a little community arts center type place and look t a free exhibit about the Orne river and its communities. I grab a free poster from it, since they’re being given away. Then, I visit some churches (ofc) and then walk around the whole castle complex in the middle of town, which is very cool except for the fact that it’s essentially a construction site on the inside ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ One of the churches I go into has gendarmes with big guns keeping watch at the door, which is not reassuring. Overall though I’m happy to correct my impressions from yesterday, as actually the city is very pleasant. I guess it’s just over by the hostel where it’s a bit weird. That being said T do still maintain that Caen is too car centric. So many parking lots and what feels like tons of traffic (outside of the pedestrianized center part).
• 6:45 - I finally settle on a place to stop and order a glass of red wine and a cheese board. Once again, I’m mistaken for German by the bartender, who is amazed that I am in fact American. Truly everyone thinks I’m German when I speak French. It’s quite odd. While I eat/drink, I start My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (€18.40).
• 7:45 - I stop at the grocery store and buy an apple and two bananas (€1.80)
• 8pm - Chaos move time!! I pass an oyster bar and head inside for 6 more oysters and a glass of white wine. I am unstoppable (€17).
• 8:30pm - “Home”. First thing’s first, taking a tums ;) Perhaps the second glass of wine was a mistake but it was really good so #NoRagrets and my stomach settles down basically immediately after I take them. I had intended to eat my apple tonight but now i’m not feeling it so I’ll have it tomorrow.
• 9:30 - A new girl comes into the hostel and is very eager to talk which is nice. She’s from china and is studying in Paris.
• 11:30 - Sleep!

• 8am - I’m awake but not ready to get up yet so i set the alarm for 8:30, although I turn it off before it rings. As I’m packing my stuff up to leave, I realize the clocks changed last night, which explains why I feel a bit off – I did not sleep for long enough! Mais ça va. There’s a giant ball of hair lying on the bathroom floor when i enter to brush my teeth, so that’s gross. Hostels 👍🏻
• 9am - I eat one of my bananas and then check out of the hostel. There’s a cute cafe that’s open just a few min away (and has almost the same name as my last name) so i head over there and order a long black and “ouef à la coque”, which i understand to be egg and toast. It turns out to be a soft boiled egg (my French egg vocab is not up to par), which i’m not mad about (€7.90).
• 10:10 - I make it to the train station and find a seat. The train is very crowded, no doubt due to the terrible schedule today.
• 12 noon - I arrive back in Rouen. I have 1.5 hours until my train to Paris, so I go in search of lunch. First, I eat the second banana, not out of any actual desire, but purely because it’s only getting more banged up the longer it stays in my bag. I see an osteria with outdoor tables and decide to eat there. I’ve been quite lucky with the weather as the sun is out again! I have a light lunch of rigatoni with tomato sauce and burrata (and just water to drink), during which I finish My Man Jeeves and start Transit by Anna Seghers. Afterwards, I order an espresso and then pay. Naturally, I managed to splatter tomato sauce on my shirt but life goes on (€15.90).
• 1pm - There’s time to get something at the patisserie next door (which has the same name as my first name! Big day for me and my names). I decide on a chocolate and vanilla tart and take it to go (€4.90). Then I take a looping walk back to the station and pass by La Tour de Jeanne d’Arc, which is apparently a donjon, a word I find hilarious.
• 1:30 - I settle in to my seat. The overhead rack doesn’t fit my backpack, so it seems fairly useless to me. So many trains have terrible overhead racks and I don’t understand why. I’ve also had terrible luck with getting seats facing the direction of travel. Woe is me etc. The woman next to me smells like old people, which I know is probably not very “politically correct” to say but is nevertheless the truth. At a certain point, I realize there are free seats facing the direction of travel so I move and take one fro the rest of the journey.
• 3:30 - I arrive at Gare Saint-Lazare and get on the metro to go to the hotel. My boyfriend lent me his Navigo card and it still has 5 rides on it, so I don’t pay anything for the metro.
• 4:30 - After waiting in the metro station for several minutes due to a sudden and torrential downpour, with thunder and lightning and the whole shebang, I get to the hotel and check in. It’s apparently 4 stars, which I did not remember at all lol. The concierge is visibly taken aback by the price for the room and says as much. I found a good deal (for a nice hotel in Paris) and I’m not complaining! He process the payment and gives me the key (€91.13).
• 5pm - I chill for awhile to wait out the rain and so call my dad and chat with him for a while. we discuss the fact that bitchiness does not need to be grounded in truth.
• 5:45pm - I walk the streets, first up rue mouffetard, where i stop to buy a Lebanese (I think) cheese pie (€1), then over to the Jardin des Plantes — the roses aren’t in bloom yet but there are many beautiful flowers all over — and then across the Seine and into the Marais.
• 7:20pm - I pick a bar with a free table outside and order a glass of sparkling wine (not champagne). The waiter forgets about it, so I get it very late which is fine, I’m not in a hurry. It is however pretty typical Parisian service. Cancel me if you must. While i’m sitting, I give €1 to a homeless guy. There’s a very gregarious man next to me and I can’t help overhear his enthusiastic exchanges with his conversational partner. I read more of Transit (€5.90).
• 8:10 - Heading back to rue mouffetard for some cheap eats for dinner. It has turned into a beautiful blue-skied evening, so I walk back instead of taking the metro. While walking, I reflect on the fact that French women all have great coats and that everywhere I go in Paris, I hear American accents. I pay €5 for a crepe with potatoes, an egg, and emmental and I eat it in the street (no bev sadly). I should definitely eat a vegetable tomorrow, but whatever I’m on vacation!! i eat my apple from yesterday to conclude.
• 9pm - Back at the hotel and time to wind down for the evening. I call my mom and then take an overdue shower. Like almost every hotel in Europe, the shower design is terrible and I get water all over the floor. Alas. I carry out my duolingo and nyt games tasks before reading for a bit and trying to sleep by 11.

• 7am - Tragically my alarm goes off. I wish I had arranged thing so that I could have slept in a bit today to fully take advantage of the nice hotel room, but it is not to be. I do however make the calculation that i can snooze until 7:30, which I do.
• 8am - After i pack up my stuff and check out, I go to a boulangerie around the corner for a quick breakfast. I get a café allongé, a croissant, and a little beignet thing (€3.40).
• 9:15 - I take the metro (no charge again thanks to the bf’s card) to the Louis Vuitton Foundation and have to wait in line for a few minutes, as my ticket is for 9:30 (I paid €16 for it last week). The Rothkos are amazing, but the museum is pretty crowded (the exhibit closes tomorrow). I also spend a good amount of time marveling over how rich people dress their children and eavesdropping on kids make remarks about the art (adorable). My goal in situations such as these is usually to follow the flow of the crowd such that i can seize any openings to actually look at the art properly. I also regret the modern tendency to feel the need to photograph every piece of art. Your photos are gonna suck and you’re in the way of people who are actually trying to look at them with their eyes. I understand this makes me sound like a bitch but c’est la vie. This is no nearly as bad as the big Rembrandt exhibit I went to in Amsterdam last year; there, people were deranged with the photo taking and it was even more crowded, so all things considered, this exhibit is pretty well managed.
• 1pm - I’m more or less finished at the museum, so I walk to the metro and take it back into the city proper. I got off at the arts et metiers stop and decide to get falafel for lunch. I order a lunch deal that includes the sandwich, a mint tea, and baklava (€10.50). The guy at the falafel shop is the first person on this trip to correctly guess my nationality. A prize for him!
• 2:45 - I wander for a bit after eating but honestly my bag is pretty heavy, so I’m not that motivated to take full advantage of my remaining afternoon in Paris. I’m not far from a bar that i went to with a friend last June that was nice, so I walk over there and order a virgin spritz (€6).
• 3:30 - I do a little window shopping and browsing at thrift stores but don’t buy anything. I think about buying a Burberry trench for €125 but don’t in the end (something I kind of regret). At one point, it starts raining and I duck into a bag store, where I have a fun conversation with the woman working. Afterwards, I walk up towards the train station and sit in a park for a few min.
• 5:45pm - Early dinner at an Indian restaurant to avoid eating a sandwich on the train. I get a naan platter which is two pieces of naan and a sampler of four different vegetarian curries. It’s nice but I kind of regret not getting the butter paneer because i was scared of being basic. I don’t think the woman running the place would have judged me (€9.50).
• 6:30pm - I just head to the train station an hour early as i need to charge my phone and don’t really have time to complete any other activities. I chill until the track gets announced and then board the train. Good bye France!

Trip Totals

Reflection