All the food blogs on Paris seem to be talking about the Hidden Kitchen which is one of many underground private restaurants around the world. The one that most Paris bloggers are writing about has been operating for just under two years by a couple from Seattle, Laura and Braden.
The idea is you cook an upscale 10 course American style dinner, invite 16 mostly Anglophone tourists (opps “friends”) to your apartment, who pay 80 € each (It use to be 12 guests who paid 60 €, but when you’re successful you expand!) and no one’s the wiser!
The Hidden Kitchen has found its niche and dinner guests are giving rave reviews. If this seems like your cup of tea, but your budget is telling you that it doesn’t include spending over $200 for two to sample American cuisine in Paris, then I suggest going to dinner with Jim Haynes.
If you’ve lived in Paris for any length of time, then you know who I’m talking about! Jim has been putting on his Sunday dinners for Parisians and travelers alike since the 70’s. The first time I heard about Jim was actually back in 1979 when a friend of mine asked if I wanted to go. She had gone previously and loved the whole ambiance of meeting people from all walks of life and from every corner of the globe. Well, 30 years and more than 100,000 guests later, Jim is still serving up Sunday dinners at his atelier near Montparnasse!
For 25 €, no you’re not going to get the sit down dinner with a description from the chef about what you’re going to eat and the selected wine pairing for each course and rub elbows with your fellow compatriots like you would at the Hidden Kitchen.
Instead, you’re going to serve yourself from large serving bowls and drink table wine or beer, and you’re going to jockey for a place to sit, but you’re going to meet a very interesting host that has traveled the world and has met or befriended some of the most fascinating people; legends like John Lennon and Henry Miller included.
You’re also going to rub elbows with Parisians and all kinds of foreigner alike. You’ll strike up a conversation with people who have interesting careers or exciting jobs and those who have no job, but are travelers, wanderers, nomads and are just as interesting to talk to.
There’s no secret code, or unknown address where you have to wait until the last moment to find out where that underground restaurant is going to be. With Jim, you just call him up or e-mail him, give him your name and tell him you’re coming for Sunday dinner! Don’t be surprised if he remembers your name and be ready to mingle with 60, 70, or 80 other dinner guests!
If you think you’re too young or too old for this gathering….think again. Ages average between 20 to 80!!! Lol.
Maya Muses: Part of your contribution goes to a number of Jim’s projects with the arts. He’s somewhat of an institution and as he says, getting on in years (75) so how much longer he will be doing his Sunday dinners depends….
Photo Credits: Flickr
