Question the merits of a time-tested jambon-beurre or poulet-crudités to a French person and you’re liable to elicit a backlash. I speak from experience.
Despite evolving habits of consumption and a wonderfully creative food scene, their lunchtime staples remain entrenched in the past. As a longtime consumer of peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches (with crust), I certainly see the value in a classic. But I’m also a firm believer that there should be a whole host of options to satisfy our ever-changing cravings. The French have mastered this when it comes to pastry but there’s work left to be done on the humble sandwich.
Mid-market lunch joints should take a cue from the Verjus crew who recently began offering lunch in their downstairs wine bar. The menu currently features three US-inspired sandwiches and can be ordered alone or as part of a full meal which comes with a dessert and a drink. Two of the three current recipes contain pork, which I don’t eat, but the third was right up my alley. Days after trying my first Bakesale Betty – buttermilk fried chicken, homemade buns, cabbage slaw with shallots and parsley, and a mustard vinaigrette – and I’m still thinking about it. Talking about it too – my French colleagues have been instructed to give the menu a try and I’m confident that the Midnight Cuban in particular (first photo), with marinated and braised pork shoulder, grilled baguette, roasted garlic mayo, cilantro and pickled chilies, will capture their hearts and intrigue their bellies. So long as they don’t bristle at the price (15€ sandwich + dessert + drink).
Tip: take your lunch to go and head to the nearby Palais Royal gardens for a picnic
Verjus
47 rue Montpensier, 75001
Tel: +33(0)1 42 97 54 40
Métro: Palais Royal (1), Bourse (3)
Tues-Fri, 12:30-2pm
*I really love sandwiches. More on that here!
