Les Papilles, a Parisian Bistro

It’s the summer holiday season and many are heading out to find new adventures – but France is one of those destinations that has typically scared away the vegetarian adventurers - because finding good vegetarian food there is generally considered to be something of a challenge. A typical response to vegetarian requests may include anything ranging from a blank look, a green leafy salad, or another green leafy salad. Those perceptions are demystified for Paris in food-writer and Francophile Rashmi Uday Singh’s book, A Vegetarian in Paris.

The premise of the book was to find not just pure vegetarian restaurants, but fun and interesting places where one can find good quality vegetarian or vegan food. Challenging? Well, Singh tried and tested a large number of restaurants and cafes herself, short listing them down to about 300. The result is a hearty take on where to dine in Paris, divided by cuisine (French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian etc) and price. She then further rates each place by quality and taste of the food, ambience, and service. There’s something for every budget – from the poor student to the visiting families.

But what makes this a fun read, even for the armchair tourist, is that Singh has added in notes on the historical background of the eateries, anecdotes and other fun facts. Additionally, she’s also managed to convince some of France’s top notch chefs, including Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse, to part ways with their favourite vegetarian recipes.

The book gives a feeling of being in Paris, enjoying the ambience of the city and the food. It has also compiled a section for where to buy gourmet vegetarian and vegan ingredients in the city, as well as provided information on various food tours that are available there.