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This weekend, like about 75% of the world’s population, I went to go see The Hunger Games movie. And, while the movie was great, I left the theatre with another realization – Lenny Kravitz is my spirit animal. Not only do we share an ill-conceived interest in poorly applied gold eyeliner (it looks better on him than me), but Lenny also introduced me to the best meal I’ve. Ever. Eaten.
Lenny Kravitz, Spirit Animal
While in Paris, we were always on the lookout for a good, cheap meal. One night, while we perusing someone’s random guidebook, we came across an interesting little piece of information – Lenny Kravitz named L’As Du Falafel in the Marais the “best falafel in the world.” So, of course, we had to go. I mean, who better than Lenny Kravitz, a somewhat random and obscure American popstar (in 2008, the time of our trip, he hadn’t really done anything of note since winning a Grammy for a cover of the Canadian song “American Woman” in 2000) to provide his expert opinion on Mediterranean street food?
While we visited L’As Du Fallafel as a sort of joke, it was obvious that the operation at this hole-in-the-wall joint was anything but – the line, which extended at least 20 feet down Rue du Rosiers, is deftly handled by an employee or two with an order pad taking orders and collecting cash.
L'As Du Fallafel
This kept the queue moving really quickly, so in less than 10 minutes I had a steaming hot pita, bursting at the seams, in my hands.
Photo credit David Lebovitz
From the first bite, it was obvious that this falafel was something special. The pita was sturdy enough to hold all its contents, which included a large helping of creamy hummus, pickled red and white cabbage, and a large slice of buttery eggplant, not to mention four or five balls of the best falafel in the world. And the whole thing’s topped off with a drizzle of delicate tahziki sauce and an optional “piquante” sauce (they’ll ask you at the window if you want your falafel “piquante” and the answer is YES. A thousand times, yes).
And L’As Du Fallafel is incredibly proud of Lenny Kravitz’s good word – they’ve got about six pictures and articles about Lenny posted on their walls, alongside a bunch of other reviews and awards. Turns out, France is a big fan of Lenny Kravitz in general; in 2011, he was received as an Officer into the French government’s prestigious Ordre des Artes et des Lettres.
I’m not sure if L’As Du Fallafel is the “best in the world,” because I’ve only had a chance to eat at a handful of places. But, it certainly outshines the other falafel places in the Marais (I’ll admit cheated on L’As Du Fallafel on occasion when their line was just too long) and it’s certainly the best I’ve eaten (many places serve a falafel that’s too dry, accompanied by uninspired garnishes like lettuce and tomato). But if Lenny Kravitz says it’s true, I’ll take his word for it for now. And you should, too… next time you make it to Paris grab your own falafel at 34 Rue du Rosiers (Metro: St. Paul).
