Paris, France
American Ouais: 6 Rue Mabillon, Paris, France 75006 Paris.
My stomach is often an iron tank, but French food is certainly its kryrptonite. When I heard about American Ouais from Brenda, a fellow globetrotter, it was the perfect solution to my problem. I had absolutely no idea the food would be so amazing. By far the greatest crab cake sandwich I’ve had in my life. I topped it with the slaw that came with it. I sat there, took a bit, and immediately put the sandwich down to pay my compliments to the owner, Gillian Grant, who sat with us, laughing and eating. Then came the cheesecake, made with love by Gillian. Words aren’t enough to tell you the incredible experience that happened on my tongue.
If you’re in Paris, and have a hankering for American with a french touch, go! Say hi to Gillian for me.
Havanita: 11 rue de Lappe, 75011 Paris, France
When is Cuban ever a bad idea? This place is tucked away in Bastille, and I came upon it on a search for street fare. The smells that smacked me in the face when the door opened were enough to bring me to my knees. Our server, Andres, kept us laughing with his stories of how he learned English by listening to NWA’s second album, and watching American films like Friday.
I ordered the Mixed Fish with Green Rice and Plantains. One bite in, and I knew I’d need to pace myself to keep from looking like the stereotypical greedy American. I went in, got to play some games, and loved it down to the final grain of rice. The people watching through the window kept the conversations going, and the atmosphere reminded us why we came to Paris, and why we now need to go to Cuba.
London, England:
Senzala Creperie: Brixton Village Market, 41-42 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8PS
If you know me, you know how much I love a good crepe. Until I found this amazing place, I swore the greatest crepes were made on the lower east side of NYC. Now there’s a tie. My first time here, I went with my friend Marita and was lucky enough to sit with the owner and get personal recommendations. Outside of the price being incredible, the taste is certainly on point.
The Picante crepe (cheese, homemade spicy minced beef, red onions, fresh tomatoes, red peppers and jalapeño peppers) wrapped in a Galette with Senzala’s own chili sauce is the way to go without hesitation. Get it, enjoy it, tell the server and the owners how much you love it, then tweet about it.
Bamboula’s Kitchen: 12 Acre Lane, Brixton, London SW2 5SG
I love Brixton! I love the smell of incense when i walk out of the tube, and the sound of a drum in the distance. The Jamaican accents remind me of Brooklyn, and the women remind me of every woman I’ve ever fallen in love with. The food, like everything else here (except gentrification), must be good.
The Akee + Saltfish, Snapper, Goat Roti, Oxtail, Patties, and everything else on the menu will make you weep with joy. Wash it down with a coconut water, I say. Come in and know you are in the Islands. Be patient, be kind, and be happy!
