The Europe Tour

What a time it was, touring around England with our buddies in Planes! Good music, good friends, and of course, tons of great food.

The tour began in Manchester, before a show in Birmingham, and three shows in London. It seemed like everyone in the north of England dislikes those from the south, and vice veras. I don't know why, but everyone I met was simply wonderful.

But I couldn't spend time in Europe without heading south to France to visit my friends and old haunts, so when the tour closed, I hopped on the Eurostar and spent a week in Paris. Over this past trip to Europe I ate many great meals, but here are some that stood out amongst the rest.

A day off between shows turned into a beautiful day at the beach in Brighton. At the Brighton Shellfish & Oyster Bar located right on the beach, I dug into briny oysters, fresh crab, welks, hereng, octopus, etc.., and you can't ask for a better view. I'd advise to stay away from the jellied eels though, unless that's your thing.

199 Kings Road Arches | The Fishing Quarter Brighton Beach, Brighton BN1 1NB, England

Located just north of the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, La Cusine De Philippe is a quaint little restaurant dedicated to the classics, and especially to soufflés. For lunch there is a choice of a two or three course meal with a glass of wine included. On this particular day, the lobster bisque with crab soufflé for a starter and seasonal strawberry and rhubarb soufflé for dessert were delicious and perfectly puffed up.

25 Rue Servandoni, 75006 Paris, France

My favorite meal of this trip was at Camille in the Marais. On a charmingly sunny day I sat down at a little outdoor table and enjoyed a delicious two course lunch starting with thick white asparagus before sinking into a plate of hearty blanquette de veau. The meat was tender and sauce was rich and perfectly seasoned. A pichet of white wine completes the meal.

24 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 Paris, France

You can't dislike Breizh Café. Crispy galettes filled with the best seasonal ingredients in creative combinations, like the one I chose, filled with white asparagus, smoked duck breast, crème fraîche, and a sunny side up egg. Their dessert crêpes aren't to be missed either. It's best to make a reservation or you will likely have to queue up.

111 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris, France

And finally, no trip to Paris would be complete without a picnic along the Seine or Canal St. Martin, weather permitting, of course. On the walk to the Seine from my apartment I picked up a stunning Coulommiers from Fromagerie Saint Charles, perfect to spread on a baguette tradition from the nearby Au Petit Versailles du Marais.

77 Rue St Antoine, 75004 Paris, France

1 Rue Tiron, 75004 Paris, France