Strike Food Strategies

OK.  It’s the weekend before the “BIG” strike, as big as the one in 1995, the pundits say, 3 weeks, until the government caves in, as it always does, except this time it’s the Energizer-bunny, Rolex-watch-loving, sun-glass wearing, newly-separated/divorced/etc. Sarko, who says “no way.”  So how does one prepare?  Well, in October (the 18th to be exact,) we merely reserved with Daniel Rose of the top-hit, impossible-to-get-into place – Spring, which I figured might be a bit of a schlep but the question to him was “will you be there?”  Ans: “we’re all scooterized.”  And, indeed they were and the quirky room was full and the meal, as always, was impeccable.  As you all know, the 19th, things slowly returned to normal (oh yah, there were long waits while Sud Rail and Metro #12 got their act together,) but one could get to another great meal at Pierre au Palais Royal on public transportation in a reasonable period of time.  Now tho’, we’re facing a “renewable” strike, where my failing memory tells me, in 1995, during the last one, you could walk freely into the Metro, but there were no trains running and the only action was on the “Batobus‘s,” which is OK if you worked in the Ministry of Finance. Now, however, thanks God, we also have the automated #14 Metro, which, is there a message here?, is only good if you work in the Ministry of Finance.  Humm, sounds like a conspiracy, which of course is a French and Texas and Republican specialty.  Facts tho: Sarko was Minister for the Budget from 1993 to 1995 but not Minister of Finance until 2004 (this is more than you wanted to know about penguins isn’t it?)  Let us “stipulate,” as the lawyers who run/ruin our lives, say:  1 – that we Amuricans don’t like strikes and the French folk interviewed on the 20H00 News dislike them but smiling, support them, but  2 – that we still must eat.  In any case, as my wife Colette, children and most unfortunately, now, grandchildren, say to me now – “Get to the point.”  How does one deal with eating out once a day (as I do) with a BIG strike?  Slight diversion for points of information on my Methodology:  (1). I keep a running list of new restos on a yellow pad with several items on the right side; open Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and in my quartier (the 18th).  (2). For my daily duties/reviews, I pick out what sounds most promising/interesting/innovativ e/etc. despite distances, from among readers’ tips/my equivalent of the Baker St irregulars’ emails/web news and published reports.  But with strikes, one has a shift in strategies.  Suddenly, there are places on that right margin (e.g., nearby) that are:  1). About to open, or just opened, without many reviews – such as L’Oxalis, brought to my attention by alert reader Paga, husband of one of BP’s most learned correspondents.  2). Just opened and were rather OK on first try – such as Le Café Qui Parle, reviewed* elsewhere (you can Google my review as well as I).  Note: This is a place that: I would have died to have eaten at when I was 25. I would have liked when I was 50, but I think is fantastic as I approach 75.  3). “Not been back to in several years but sound OK when ‘discovered’ by others,” such as Le Restaurant.  4). Pigs-in-a-poke, that one has passed on the street, such as La Preuve Par Neuf.  5). Places that one eats at on the “chef’s night off,” such as 2 Pieces Cuisine and Le Truc.  Of course, despite my having lived in New York for 25 years, I never took cabs there (disclosure: I had bicycles, motorcycles and even autos) and I’m not about to now, but one could.  And one could/can also walk, as a friend of ours who lives in the Marais does, from wherever.  And now, of course, with Velib, one can rent a bi from, is it 480 locations?  I guess a final option would be to eat at home, which I can think of worse things (such as water-boarding) as, but I only do that at breakfast and supper.    So my friends; gird up thy loins and venture out.  Just recall that:  – A transportation strike is always a pain.  – Sarko is not going to solve everything in the first 180 days.  – But even if there’s a disastrous strike, the good side is that you get to eat out in the nabe and might find some really neat stuff!    *My last meal was on 26 October 2007. Fully paid for.  My favorite this week despite its location is: Le Café qui Parle 24, rue Caulaincourt, 18th (Metro: Abesses) T: 01.46.06.06.88 Closed Wednesdays Lunch formula = 12,50 €, menu 17, a la carte 25-30, and a no limit on the food Sunday brunch for 15 €,  ©2007 John A. Talbott