SSD Part III

Probably by now you have figured out the shady reputation that this neighborhood is known for, if not I'm going to tell you.

As soon as you step off the metro @ Strasbourg Saint Denis or Chateau d'Eau, you may notice a line of black African men standing in the corridors or at la sortie de metro. These men may approach you and ask if you want your nails or eyebrows done, but mostly they are selling hair products for African women. and they are working off commission, so sometimes they resort to harrassing and pulling your arm. Since I have been going there, I have been only asked once. Usually I hold on to the arm of my husband and they don't approach me. Don't be alarmed and just say no.

Another problem is prostitution. The number of women you see may depend on the time of day, usually there are more women at night. and the pimps often stand with them on the street, to encouraging selling. Y and I were asked if we wanted to do a threesome with a woman and I just looked at the pimp and said "WTF". So that is why SSD has a bad reputation, but don't be scared off.

DO:
- check out the neighborhood and take in it's wonderful qualities
- have fun, you are on vacation
- walk with people you trust
- check out my previous ideas and let me know what you think

DON'T:
- walk around at night/early morning, it can often be dangerous
- act stupid or walk drunk, it is easier for people to take advantage of you

Please comment if you have other suggestions, about visiting the area or if you have encountered it's fault.

SSD Part II

The Indian culture is also very present in SSD. This year, for Thanksgiving, Y and I dediced to eat at an Indian place called Kahmir Café located at 63 Rue du Faubourg de Saint Denis.

It is a halal restaurant, meaning they do not serve alcoholic beverages and all the meat is prepared according to Muslim tradition. My husband is Muslim and eating out is sometimes difficult, but this restaurant was perfect!

The menu for two people was 35 euros including chicken and lamb tandoori, a fish dish, and the speacial, plus dessert.

It was Y's first time trying Indian and he loved it.

 Restaurants are not the only Indian specialty in SSD, there are covered markets (hidden street passages) and most are shops with the smell of Indian spices.


If you like to eat exoctically and oriental, check out this restaurant or others on the street and let your tastebuds go wild!

One of my Favorite Things!

Favorite area: Strasbourg Saint Denis Part I

It may be surprising to some that my favorite neighborhood is SSD, because it has a shady reputation (I will discuss this later in Part III).

 My husband and I go there at least once a week because it is the one of the biggest Turkish neighborhoods and there are many authentic Turkish restaurants.

Restaurants to check out:
Corba Salonu at 15 rue du Faubourg -Saint Denis
An all you can eat soup restaurant, with a never-ending breadbowl. As soon as you make your decision for which soup, it is served steaming hot before your eyes in less than a minute. All for the low cost of 5 euros.

Genc Ura Dorum at 13 rue du Faubourg - Saint Denis
A small sit-down restaurant with less than 10 tables. The staff is really nice, they speak French, English, Turk, and Kurde. We usually eat a stack of 8 pizzas or lahmucan, that is nothing like the pepperoni and cheese variety, but rather lamb with a mix of spices and tomato sauce. and try it with some fresh ayran (a yogurt drink)

Urfa Dürüm 63 rue du Faubourg-Saint Denis
Another small sit-down place, where one can see their lunch cooked before their eyes. It is a traditional kurde restuarant with little chairs that are kind of difficult to sit on. They offer pizza as well, but the adana kebab is to die for.








If you are looking for something new to try head to Strasbourg and get ready for a mouth-watering adventure!