Paris To Go: Simone Lemon

When Chiara, the super sweet blogger and tireless advocate behind Baci di Dama Living Gluten Free, invited me to Simone Lemon, I had no idea what an amazing afternoon I was in for. After reading about the colorful, eminently Instagrammable restaurant in our beautiful friend Soraya's guide, Paris Sans Gluten, she asked if we could test it together. Simone Lemon takes unsold produce from the best quality local producers, transforming perfectly imperfect fruits and vegetables into tasty dishes for a gluten free, vegan, and omnivore friendly buffet. As soon as I walked in, the friendly, model-gorgeous staff greeted me and explained the concept: Weigh your plate and bowl, paying just for what you eat, with no food waste. Any leftover food is composted in clearly marked receptacles, and real china plates and utensils sit alongside eco-friendly takeaway containers, in case you're in a rush. Ten euro will get you a plateful of filling, flavorful dishes, including gluten free options like beetroot carpaccio, tomato risotto, two types of salad, and roast aubergine and sweet potato, not to mention a heaping bowl of rich chocolate mousse and giant mug of organic sencha.

Google describes the atmosphere as "cozy, local crowd," which couldn't be more apt- office workers and businessmen sit alongside 9ème residents and ladies who lunch. It's busy during the day, but the organized, attentive staff somehow help everybody. The young co-founders, Elodie Le Boucher and Shehrazade Schneider (ESCP graduates) were so nice, I immediately wanted to be friends with them, and I'm a misanthropic recluse. Everything from the smartly designed interior to the impeccable cleanliness bespoke brilliance, delicious food notwithstanding. I know I'm gushing. I just really loved Simone Lemon, and all the food comes within 25-200 kilometers of Paris! It's a favorite among other zero wasters too, like Elif and Allegra.

I immediately told my husband we have to go there for lunch sometime. It's hard because I'm celiac and my diet is restricted, but he wants to be able to go to the same restaurants as me without being given food that his food eats. Places like Simone Lemon (which had several meat dishes people were raving about) allow us to share the dining experience so neither one ends up feeling like an outcast. Chiara told me a beautiful story about being able to eat a delicious gluten free pizza with her mother- finally, they could share a meal they both enjoyed. It was a wonderful bonding moment. She made me realize that in my family, food always glued us together, so it's important that I enjoy good, healthy cuisine as I start my own cat family with my husband. I stuck around while Chiara took beautiful portraits of Shehrazade and Elodie and when we left, they blew us kisses :) I was touched. J'ai hâte de revenir pour une prochaine repas sans gluten et anti gaspillage!