Paris is going to hurt. We've been in town less than 48 hours, have eaten 3.5 meals and we're already wondering how we'll be able to survive this city on a budget while still being able to sample the amazing food we know this city has to offer. After some discussion, J and I decided that we'll go out for dinner 1-2 meals per week while alternating lunch between cheap meals (< 10 Euros total; sandwiches, crepes to-go, fast food or eating in) and pricier meals at brasseries, bistros and cafes. Since we'll be here a whole month I think this plan will still give us plenty of opportunities to sample the local cuisine.
What I should have known, but only recently realized, is that Paris is very much like NYC in that it's a melting pot of people all over the world. Good food doesn't just mean French food. I've already heard that Vietnamese and Mediterranean food is really good here. However, I still must wonder if I should spend my precious meals on eating non-French foods. Can't I get good Vietnamese at Pho Pasteur when I visit Boston for Christmas? Shouldn't I eat Argentinean food when I'm in Buenos Aires or Italian food when I'm in Rome? I am soooo lucky that this is the biggest dilemma in my life right now.... =)