lunch date: Chez Mademoiselle bistro (and a stroll afterwards in the Marais)

Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 019Easter Monday was a national holiday in France.  I met up with my Swedish friend, Andreas, at a cute little bistro in the Marais.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 010Not far from Saint Paul metro station, Chez Mademoiselle is situated at 16 Rue Charlemagne, a quiet street in the southern half of the Marais (near the river).Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 009They serve up traditional French cuisine and their portions are generous.  I had the roasted cod fillet with potato purée and a red pepper sauce.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 022Andreas had a plump-looking duck and chicken combo.  The bistro offers a fixed price menu at 17 euros 50. You can choose between a starter and a main course or a main course and a dessert.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 020For starters I had a crudité salad and my lunch companion had a plate of fresh scallops.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 016After lunch we strolled northwards, walking in the direction of rue du Temple, number 44 to be exact, to a boutique called ESSENTIEL.  Based in Antwerp, Belgium, this is a colourful Ready-to-Wear collection for men and women.  At reasonable prices.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 045Andreas was looking for shoes, I wasn’t looking for anything.  In the end, he bought a pullover and I bought a carry-bag.  Here he is….looking very GQ indeed.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 030Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 031Blue is his best colour.  It matches his ice-blue Scandinavian eyes.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 034As for me, I spied this leather carry-all bag.  I love squishy bags that you can throw things into, sling over your shoulder and GO!Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 038Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 036Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 028Once our respective purchases made, we stepped back outside and continued walking north.  I never tire of the history and architecture of the Marais district.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 048Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 046We were on our way to the rue Charlot which is lined with interesting boutiques on either side.  This fabulous boutique below sells fabulous leather products.  All products are entirely conceived and crafted in their Montreal workshops.  Mais oui, m0851 is Canadian.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 054Yves Andrieux and Vincent Jalbert, at number 55, are a designing duo who transform antique fabrics into clothes, bags, cushions and throws.  Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 055Had this nice-looking Italian café been open, I would have popped in for an espresso.  But it was closed.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 058Below you’ll find the links of these three boutiques.Marais Easter 21 avril 2014 002

http://www.m0851.com/home/

http://www.vincentjalbert.com/en

http://www.essentiel-antwerp.com/