Anne H.
Yelp
Let's face it, the almighty BIG thing that one always misses when not travelling to America - which I tend to do on a monthly basis - is their sumptuous, calorie endorsing, emphatically cholesterol rendering Breakfast/Brunch. The fact that you walk out of the joint feeling stacked just like a plate of their delicious, sweet, mouth drooling pancakes, is really rather liberating stuff. With America being classed as my third home, having graced more US diner seats than the Pope has blessed his precious flock on a Sunday morn, I would like to think I could be a walking advertisement for pancakes and porridge. Who wouldn't want to be a billboard for that wholesome, staple culinary action....bit of crumpet anyone?!
Being a petite French/English girl, by looks alone, you'd never pick this weakness in my occasional forays into indulgence....food, that is...
I can't go as far as to say that this little number is a leader in American petit déjeuner, certainly not in the class of Dottie's in San Francisco or the floods of other Breakfast/Brunch speciality dining sensations that hog the streets all over the US of A, however, I endorse their courage and creativity in thinking of the American tourist's bellies who flock to Paris each year and who still feel a wee bit homesick for it's grass-roots grub - even after just one day!
Of course, long gone are the days where 'An American in Paris' was a preferred guest at any establishment where the golden dollar was King. Besides, they always tipped. Something the Brits are not particularly keen about. These days with the euro a constant 1.40 to a buck, the local bars, cafes and establishments would rather Souffrent en silence and have a Brit or a German at their table. Business is still business at the end of the day.
Like it's older, but definitely smaller brother, 'BIA numéro 1', this place gets almighty busy and chatty. It must have done to warrant a major overhaul in taking over the shop next door to become double it's size and capacity. I am thinking the owners must have realised their open doors will always be a gravitational pull to Americans, as you will find the occasional one still around, even now. More thrifty than before as few big spending 'Whitey Bulgers' and other notorious Crime Bosses entertain Paris any more ever since the Gendarmes cleaned up their 'fugitive on the run' act.
As Britain and Germany are as Americanized in all ways these days, even when there's a shortage of the real McCoy in the winter months - as then, the American Tourists usually stay back in the comfort of their own homes - the tables at BIA always seem to be jam packed. I think it may have something to do with you know what you are going to get routine. Most westerners really don't like TOO many food surprises. And, like the British who simply ADORE queues of any kind - I think they even self flagellate over the event - when in Paris these days, the Yanks do something they absolutely loath to do back home, they are now prepared to act like 'when in Rome' and join a queue. Their stomach cause is way too deserving. This could be seen as an International Coup in 'blending in' all by itself.
