A store front with christmas trees on the windows.

Aux Pipalottes Gourmandes

Walking around in Paris, it is not uncommon to see prepared food shops, dispelling most idealized visions of the leisurely, daily 3-course lunch. For my part, these window fronts do little to tempt me inside as the various trays of curries and bean salads don’t exactly excite my taste buds. That was until my coworkers invited me out to lunch at Aux Pipalottes Gourmandes in the 9th arrondissement.

This is a prepared food shop like none other. Run by a charming couple, the place boasts only about eight tables, all cramped into a tiny space. Getting into the chairs at the back requires a bit of maneuvering on the customer’s end, but once seated, every dish on the menu will redefine your opinion of reheated food. It’s like bringing Thanksgiving leftovers to lunch, only this is year-round and the options are endless — creamy carrot soup, curried chicken with wild rice, and saucy shrimp & scallops served over rice and a side salad. Top off lunch with your pick from the dessert case, which includes chocolate-salted caramel fondant, tall lemon-meringue tarts, and assorted custard parfaits…the choices are endless and ever-changing.

A black and white image of a scissors
Gourmet Shops in Paris

However, the products that decorate all four walls of the shop were what really cemented my unconditional adoration. Walls packed with bags of seasonal candies, jams and honeys, candles and gift boxes, including an adorable selection of colored marzipan, shaped like Parisian macarons. There was nothing I didn’t want and a lot I was afraid to buy, for fear that I would be sneaking off to the cupboard ten times a day for “just one more chocolate.â€

Address: 49 rue Rochechouart, 75009
Métro: Cadet
Hours: Mon-Sun 10 am – 10 pm
Tél: 01 44 53 04 53

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