Archive for the 'bakeries & restaurants' Category
Pierre Hermé.
No one else really compares in fame or stature in the pastry world. His desserts are innovative and forward while being respectful of tradition. Everything about his exudes sweet elegance.
Miss Gla’Gla Ishpahan. A lychee and raspberry sorbet sandwiched between rose flavored macarons shells. Refreshing and just sweet enough, this was made two and a half centuries too late for Marie Antoinette. Pink, dainty, and extremely expensive (6.20 euros), I think it would have been the perfect summer dessert for the ill-fated queen.
continue reading »
June 13 2010 | bakeries & restaurants and paris and thoughts | 8 Comments »
Le pain Poilâne is the most well known bread in Paris. Ironically, it is not a baguette, but rather a round and rustic sourdough loaf. Even if Poilâne isn’t a family’s local boulangerie, or bakery (which is the case for the majority of people), everyone has had Poilâne. It is served in many bistros and restaurants, most often as the base bread for tartines. I also feel that in some ways Poilâne is very representative of the essence of French boulangeries. It is a family business passed down from generation to generation and operates under the philosophy of tradition and quality. Although the small shop has now grown into a worldwide business (they export to at least 11 different countries), everything, except the kneading, is done by hand.
continue reading »
June 09 2010 | bakeries & restaurants and paris and recipe and sandwiches and thoughts | 9 Comments »
Julia Child is a relatively new figure in my life. Before reading Julia and Julia, I had never heard of “The French Chef” or Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Quite shocking, especially because she is such a familiar character in my life now. However, I’m glad that I got to know her during this time, because her story resonates with me more than it ever could have before.
continue reading »
June 03 2010 | bakeries & restaurants and paris and thoughts | 7 Comments »
Although I’ll be in Paris for about a year, I decided to pack light, or rather, as light as possible. This is extremely difficult for someone who is a sentimental pack rat who likes to keep everything from useless trinkets won at state fairs to report cards from the sixth grade. I did my best to cut back and consolidate, but ended up having to ship an extra bag and carry on a mini suitcase that was 15 pounds overweight. It sounds like a lot of stuff, but once I got here I realized that I really did cut back on a lot (including an unconscious decision to leave out pajamas).
I wanted to bring a lot of books on Paris but narrowed it down to three: Clotilde’s Edible Adventures in Paris by Chocolate & Zucchini blogger Clotilde Dusoulier, Hungry for Paris by Alexander Lobrano, and Zagat: Paris Restaurants. Yea, they’re all about food. I’ve been ferociously highlighting and jotting down addresses of places that sound good. My list is probably already long enough to take a year to get through!
continue reading »
May 30 2010 | bakeries & restaurants and paris and thoughts | 5 Comments »
I haven’t cooked in my “new” kitchen yet. There have been plenty of other foodie distractions and interests that have kept me away from the apartment. I’m actually hoping that I can keep on eating out so that I don’t have to face the kitchen. It was so utterly disappointing to walk into my new life as a to-be pastry chef only to find that the “kitchen” was actually the laundry room with two hot plates and a microwave almost as old as I am. I just had to laugh because it felt like one of those moments when a kid gives you a hunk of mud and calls it food. I’m being negative. At least it’s kind of adorable when a kid does that. I’m just trying to ease my way into that part of the house. It’s only been a week since I arrived, so I’m giving myself another seven days to get over the hot plates and try frying an egg.
In the meantime, I have many restaurants and cafes I can write about to show how I’ve been avoiding you-know-what.
continue reading »
May 26 2010 | bakeries & restaurants and paris and thoughts | 8 Comments »
Next »
