Dear Steemit Friends:
My trip to Paris was a schedule packed with sightseeing and photography, but in addition to that, I also had the opportunity to taste the famous French Oysters that are exported all over the world to high-end restaurants. Why pay more for less fresh oysters on the other side of the world when you can have them right where they come from, picked the same day, fresh as fresh can be!?
So, my appetite for French Oysters took me to this wonderful French restaurant called Brasserie La Lorraine.
Known to the local's as a first class bistro specialising in seafood, I was keen to taste what this restaurant had to offer because it's reputation for terrific seafood is well documented even in the Chinese travel community.
Established in 1919, it was originally called the Café des Négociants. Shortly after it was opened, François Pouillages who was a wood and coal dealer, bought the whole restaurant. It was no coincidence that his wife was already working in the restaurant.
In 1924, after renovation and expansion, the restaurant was renamed to La Lorraine. The name is a tribute to the repatriation of this territory from the Germans back to the French after the first world war. Over the years, the restaurant has gained considerable notoriety, in part due to it's proximity to the Empire Theatre, the Salle Wagram, and the Salle Pleyel. Notable figures such as Charlie Chaplin, Clint Eastwood and Jean Gabin have all dined at La Lorraine.
In 2013, the restaurant obtained the title of Master Restaurateur which cemented it's reputation as a top class restaurant which serves raw or fresh products.
So, what's all the buzz about eating Oysters anyway?
Oysters are a delicacy with some real health benefits!
Oysters contain more Zinc than any other food. Aside from obvious use as an Aphrodisiac, Zinc is also used by the body for growth and development of the immune system.
Oysters are good for the heart. Like a lot of other seafood's, Oysters contain high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and magnesium which combat heart diseases like strokes, high blood pressure, and heart attacks.
Oysters promote weight loss. Oysters are low in calories and low in fat, yet, have a high protein content which helps build muscle.
Oysters are full of other essential nutrients. Other than Zinc, oysters also have a lot of vitamins A, E and C, iron, calcium, selenium and vitamin B12.
Oysters help improve Energy levels. Oysters have high iron content which are in part responsible for transporting oxygen to individual cells and thus giving more energy.
Oysters promote a healthy balance of Cholesterol. Oysters can help raise HDLs and lower LDL's.
As you can see, Brasserie La Lorraine is a quite large restaurant which occupies the corner of a street of buildings with tables extending outside of the indoor seating area.
This seems to be quite a common arrangement in many Parisian restaurants. Of course, La Lorraine has as good heritage as any French restaurant, and this seating tradition remains intact.
There's something about French streets that make for fantastic street fashion photography.
The restaurant just oozes class. Look at these very large glass handles on the entrance doors.
The landing area is marbled and inside, we have a familiar red interior decor that is recurrent throughout the restaurant. Their logo is two overlapping L's which stand for La Lorraine and you can see this logo many places.
Since this was a Sunday afternoon, there were plenty of seats available.
The menu is simple and has both French and English.
Breadsticks with Cheese were included as a complimentary snack dish.
As were French bread rolls.
This is a small lettuce salad ordered as a side / starter.
And of course, le French fries for my fidgety fingers.
Finally, the Oyster platter arrives. Since I came here to try their Oysters, this would serve as the main course for the meal. I ordered 6 of each type of oyster which can be distinguished by their slightly different shades of colour and shapes of shells.
I really liked the rounder shell Oysters which apparently come from Normandy. They have a succulent texture and a natural zing that the others don't quite measure up to. Definitely give those a try if you come visit.
Of course we cannot forget shallots in a dish of mignonette. I however, prefer to eat them straight and unadulterated for their unmasked taste.
They even included some Macarons and Sweets for desserts.
Since it was a sunny afternoon, most people opted to sit by the window to get some sunshine. The seating area inside was mostly empty.
They have reflective mirrors throughout making the entire establishment very naturally lit. I thought these artificial flowers looked quite pretty.
They have some La Lorraine branded stationary for sale.
And finally, some more fashion street photography. I thought these pictures turned out really rather well. I can't imagine another city providing such good backdrops for street photography.
