Jessica's Dinner Party

by jessica yoon

europe

Pierre Hermé

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.

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Tomato, Egg, and Goat Cheese on Poilâne

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.

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Asian Kitchen in Paris

Asian Kitchen in Paris | Jessica's Dinner Party

I’ve done a good job at avoiding the kitchen for two weeks, but I think it’s time I start working those hot plates!  I’ve started to become a little homesick for Korean food, most likely sparked by a confrontation with a harsh old man who told my friend and I never to come back to his store.  There was nothing wrong that we did, unless browsing through books in a bookstore is a crime here!  I guess I need to learn more about the French service industry, obviously, the customer is not always right!  It was about time I start craving for some rice anyway.  After all, I am Asian.

Asian Kitchen in Paris | Jessica's Dinner Party

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Roo de Loo and Rollet Pradier

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.

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Le Pré Verre

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!

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