From Paris with love

I love it when Americans talk about what make the French so French; from black turtlenecks and berets to necking in the parks, and lest one forget the old cliché (recently reintroduced in book format) “French Women Don’t get Fat.” It would seem that the New York Times has done it again. Elaine Sciolino, who [...]

While most Parisians prefer La Grande Epicerie at Bon Marché for their food chicerie, the new spice rack at Galeries Lafayette is unbeatable. Not only is it decadent but you can have it à la carte, a little here and a little there. Although there isn’t a sneeze guard, each spice is pristinely presented and [...]

When you’re on the cover of Elle à Table, and the December issue at that, you know that something good is cooking in the pot. Hardly open long enough for most of us to make a proper soufflé, La Cocotte already has swinging events for the wee and old, not to mention their own line [...]

Sometimes a croissant and a café au lait just won’t cut it. The concept of brunch is relatively new to the French, and of course, they have their own interpretation which isn’t bad, but heavy on the pastry. So if it’s eggs bene, a side of bacon and a bloody mary that will get you [...]

In the words of Bourdain, “everything that makes this place good would be illegal in the states,” yes sir-ee. The meat is seared over the chimney fire, there is normally a dog or two scampering around, the toilet is a real, bonafide outhouse and the owner has no qualms throwing back a few (or 7) [...]

All things food seem to come in threes; meals (entrée, plat, dessert), the price of an espresso, and the number of cookbooks that come out per day. This may seem like humdrum foodie banter but this proverbial mold holds true like chemistry, in this case, molecular. From the owner of Food Gallery, Claude Deloffre brings [...]

I can already hear the bottles popping. My favorite neighborhood wine and cheese purveyor is bringing out the bubbly this Saturday. Aside from their sublime selection of spirits and comestibles (cheese, confitures, foie gras, hand-made pasta, spices) they will have 13 champagne producers on hand to ease your way into the weekend. Hot shots such [...]

You don’t have to be a Spanish conquistador to travel the spice route. And you certainly don’t have to go so far, but you do have to be buzzed in. Goumanyat et son Royaume has been in business since sailing for spices was all the rage, but only recently have they made their wares available [...]

So you’ve read the reviews, you’ve made the reservation, but two days before your much anticipated dinner you still don’t know where you’re actually going. It is until the eve of your reservation that you will receive a confidential message detailing where exactly you will be dining. Risky business? Nah.
Hidden restaurants became popular in NYC [...]

The popular rue des Abbesses (18 arr.) has always had some pretty good bakeries, but it has been the baguettes and little breads that are taking over Amélie Poulain land. During my first year in Paris I consumed more fougasse from Coquelicot than imaginable. A fougasse is a thin bread, sometimes intricately woven [...]