For a country known for relatively small portion sizes, I am forever stuffed after eating out in Paris. I might attribute this to excessive baguette consumption or even overly tempting dessert menus, but overall I think the small portion size is a fallacy. It’s no surprise that Paris is an expensive foodie city and as I’ve discussed many times on my blog, I find it very difficult to eat well cheaply. Of course, when you think about how much it costs a restaurant or shop to have employees (social charges) it’s no wonder the food costs so much. 

In any case, it is for this very reason that I often push myself beyond the point of satiation and into the realm of painful overindulgence. Though I have successfully been able to convince some waiters to wrap up my meal to take home, I’m more inclined to finish what’s on my plate to justify the price and avoid any potentially unfortunate incidents with servers.

Brunch in Paris is a perfect example. It’s an opportunity for restaurants to capitalize on the overwhelming trendiness of “le brunch” by offering fixed menus between 20-25€ (on average) with more food than anyone should be allowed to consume in one sitting. It’s rarely worth the expensive price tag once you consider the belly-ache that usually makes its appearance by the 2nd course. But people are willing to fork over the money for an all-afternoon binge fest with friends. {This was definitely a topic covered in “How (not) to Become Parisian”}.

The offering usually consists of a glass of juice, choice of tea/coffee or hot chocolate, a basket of toasted baguette and your choice of pastry served with bowls of jams and nutella, some form of an omelette (I love the smoked salmon option) or burger, more baguette, and a selection of desserts which undoubtedly includes pancakes (pancakes for dessert always makes me laugh). That may not sound like a lot, but it is rather daunting once it’s in front of you. 

But there are places that go about brunch a bit differently. High on the trendiness factor AND originality, Tartes Kluger is one such spot. One of my French friends and I got together last weekend for lunch and as usual, she left the location up to me. Tartes Kluger is quite close to my neighborhood and has been on my must-try list for months. Everytime I’ve wanted to try it they were either closed or packed and so I put it off. I made a reservation for Sunday, early afternoon, excited to try THE place for tartes, one of my favorite dishes. 

Sweet and savory tartes made with all-natural ingredients and organic wherever possible, Tartes Kluger has that certain something extra. Located in the haut-marais in an old workshop redesigned as an industrial loft with visible bricks and long, community tables (much in the same style as Kitchen), TK was launched by a former lawyer with an insatiable love for simple but healthy tartes. Diners have their choice of 10 savory tartes and 8 sweet tartes which can be enjoyed on the spot or ordered for take-out. I love the idea, the unique combinations and the ambiance. 

What I should have assumed when making my reservation was that they would only be offering their brunch menu on Sunday; no à la carte orders. Neither of us sporting a substantial appetite, we were dismayed by the idea of paying 25€ for a very large meal we’d never be able to finish. We were going to leave and head somewhere else but I thought, maybe they’d let us share the brunch. Sure enough, they were willing to accommodate.

First up, the carrot-candied lemon-coriander tart with a side of gazpacho, grains with mixed  vegetables, and a green salad. Everything was fresh and flavorful and made me very curious to try the tarts they offer on other days. We split the glass of juice and each had the bottomless coffee. A paper bag full of fresh baguette slices accompanied our meal. 

 Had our wallets been fuller and our appetites larger, we each could have easily piled away the brunch ourselves but this hit the spot.