Parisian Macarons

MACARONS. I LOVE them.

I don't even know where to begin.

The pictures speak for themselves. ENJOY.

Ladurée

75, avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008

16, rue Royale, 75008

flavors (from left to right): salted caramel MY FAVORITE, pistachio, coconut, chocolate, coffee, red berries, and orange blossom

flavors (from upper left to lower right): rose MY 2nd FAVORITE, bitter chocolate, caramel, coconut, coffe, orange blossom, pistachio, orange bergamot...all in a beautiful little box

Pierre Hermé

4, rue Cambon, 75001

a beautiful display of rows and rows of perfect macarons sprinkled with iridescent powder

flavors (starting from top): jasmine tea, passionfruit milk chocolate, salted caramel, and apricot pistachio...the flavors here are much more inventive than the traditional ones are Laduree

and finally...

Nutella Macarons by Christina

My homemade macarons are nothing like the exquisite light, crumbly, delicate Parisian macarons but there's something about watching the foot of the macarons rise in the oven that is just so satisfying.

Desert Picnic

Mini Eclairs etc.

so cute!

Tarte Tatin

best tarte tatin I had the entire time in Paris--beautiful carmelized apples in a light flaky crust without being overly sweet aahh I'm craving one right now

Raspberry Tart

I don't particularly like raspberries but this was amazingly good--I had to actively restrain myself from going to get another piece

Breizh Cafe

Breizh Cafe

109, rue Vieille du Temple (3rd)

I realize it's taken me a while to post something and I apologize to anyone--if there is anyone--who has been expecting something new to read. The internet that I had in Paris was awful but I am now back in Taiwan so eventually I will have all my pictures of Parisian food up!

Before my discovery of Breizh Cafe up in the Marais, I had been slightly disappointed by the crepes and galettes I had--some were slightly soggy and lacking the thinness I craved. Not anymore.

The fact that the owner's wife is Japanese is blatantly evident in the simple presentation of the food and the spartan decorations in the cafe--both of which I love. The food was not overdone--just the freshest oysters and a perfect galette.

These oysters were AMAZING--definitely the best I had in Paris. I LOVE how they were presented on a plain black slate with a line of sea salt.

The thing buckwheat galette with delicious melted Gruyere cheese, ham, runny egg, and artichokes was even better with a cup of brut cider on the side. I wish I could eat one right now.

I need to be back to Paris! Sadly, when I went back a week later for my dessert crepe, they were already gone for their summer break. Next time I'm in Paris, this is definitely one of the first food stops I'm making.

Chicken is just as good as beef...

I had my first chicken pho the other night. It was amazing! The broth was so rich and the chicken pieces tender and flavorful. SO GOOD. It even came topped with crispy fried pieces of what I think were shallots.

Chicken Pho

Cafe Margeride

After writing that last blog, I couldn't thinking about steak tartare the rest of the day. Therefore, for dinner I had to treat myself to some more. :)

Tartare de Boeuf a l'Italienne

This time it was beef tartare with tomatoes, basil, and parmesan. It was amazing with a few crispy fries and a glass of rose wine.

Brasserie Birthday

Bofinger

7 rue de la Bastille

For my birthday, I decided to treat myself to a classic brasserie meal. After doing some research by consulting various guide books and the internet, I settled on Brasserie Bofinger. I didn't know if I could trust guidebooks and the so-so outside decor made me a little anxious.

However, once through the door, I was greeted cheerfully by the bartender and led to a seat next to two nice french gentlemen. The perfectly preserved original belle epoque decor inside was absolutely beautiful. The original glass cupola was definitely the star.

While we were reading the menu and deciding on our courses, the two gentlemen sitting next to us got their meal. It was a masterpiece--a HUGE icy plate piled high with all sorts of shellfish. I must've been drooling while I was looking at it.

I got a more modest plate of shellfish though it was probably just as tasty. I loved the clams and cockles and whelks and winkles...I'm still not entirely sure which is which but they were all so tasty!

I also finally had my escargot. They were a good size and incredibly delicious and full of flavor. The best part was soaking up the excess butter with my crusty bread. So sinful but so good!

The duck breast was also really good and it came with sticks of grilled polenta. The sauce was good and the meat was perfectly cooked.

Overall it was not only delicious food but a wonderful dining experience. The ambiance was great and the staff cheerful and friendly. A perfect Birthday lunch :)

Cafe Tresor

So my roommate and I were wandering the Marais and doing some shopping the other day when we realized we were super thirsty and hungry. Luckily, the narrow streets were dotted with colorful cafes. We sat down at Cafe Tresor (Treasure) and scanned the menu.

I had been in Paris for about 2 weeks already and STILL hadn't had steak tartare with fries so I figured it was about time I did.

Steak Tartare, Frites

A mound of finely chopped raw beef might not look like much but I promise you, it was a delightful explosion of flavors and textures in my mouth. Mixed with some caper, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard, the combination of the soft beef and crispy fries was amazing.

YUM. I'm drooling just thinking about it again. I might have to treat myself to another plate of steak tartare today.

L'Avant Gout

There's a charming little restaurant across the street from where I have class in the morning. I've walked by it many times and finally, on a Saturday afternoon, I decided to walk in and sit down for a nice lunch. I didn't know what to expect but it didn't disappoint at all.

Unable to decide what to order (and unable to decipher part of the menu) I ordered the menu dejeuner (the set lunch menu) that came with a soup, plate of the day, wine, and coffee--all for 14 euros, it was a pretty good deal.

The nice waiter recommended a crisp dry wine and I was glad I took his advice. It went wonderfully with the rest of the meal.

Veloute d'Asperge

The asparagus soup was deliciously velvety and creamy. The waiter set down white bowl with a single piece of crouton and roasted cherry tomato in front of me and poured the light green soup into the bowl from a pitcher. Lovely presentation and incredibly delicious. It was probably my favorite part of the meal.

Croustillant d'Agneau

puree de carotte

The main course was lamb wrapped in light crispy phyllo dough and baked in a oven. It sat on top of a smooth, slightly sweet bed of pureed carrots. The combination of flavors was amazing.

The meal was finished with a nice cafe and gingersnap cookie.

Le Quartier Asiatique

The 13th arrondissement is not famous for its restaurants. However, it is near the Asian Quarter and during my pre-trip research I read about the one thing one must try in this quarter--the Vietnamese Pho.

I must say, I was not at all disappointed. To say that the Pho was a bowl of perfection might be going too far but it was certainly more than just a good bowl of soup. It was NOTHING like its American cousin--a flavorless broth accompanied by just as flavorless, textureless skinny noodles topped with a few absentmindedly thrown on and questionable slices of rare beef.

Pho Special from Pho 14

This was a hearty broth--one that you want to keep drinking spoonful after spoonful. The meat was succulent, the tripe was tender, and the beef balls were flavorful. Add a few basil leaves, bean sprouts, chillies, siracha sauce, or hoisin sauce (in my opinion the broth was so good it needed neither of the sauces) to your liking and you've got well...a perfect bowl of noodles.

The sign of a good restaurant--seeing mobs of people outside waiting for seats as youre walking out after a satisfying meal

The First Dinner

Last night I attempted to cook dinner in the hotel room kitchen....

It was no easy feat.

Although after overcoming the obstacles of not enough counter space, annoyingly dull knives, and a very difficult to control electric stove, I was able to concoct a very decent meal from the treasures I acquired from the farmer's market that morning. Et voila, here are the results.

Fresh Linguine in Tomato Pancetta Sauce

accompanied by a Green Salad Dressed with Balsamic Vinegar

A pan full of freshly made al dente pasta mingling with a tomato sauce of browned pancetta, shallots, garlic, white wine, fresh Roma tomatoes, and tomato puree. FRESH pasta is ALWAYS better than dried pasta.

Paired with a nice little salad of local greens, a variety of baby tomatoes, a balsamic vinaigrette, AND the crowning touch---homemade herbs de provence croutons I made from a day old baguette! I think taste testing that first crunchy crouton was my proudest moment yet.

All this paired with a little glass of white wine and a Pellegrino and you've got a wonderful meal made from a few fresh ingredients in an absolutely TINY kitchen. :) Please be proud.

Hopefully this kitchen and I will continue to get along...

Farmer's Market

Being jet-lagged still, I woke up too early for class today. Luckily, it's a Tuesday--which means that there's a farmers market right down the street. It was amazing--with beautiful produce, fresh pasta, cheeses, charcuteries, seafood...anything a cook's heart desires. I am sure these will not be the last pictures of the farmers market that will end up on here.

The Farmer's Market

My Lunch

After class, a few friends and I walked to the nearby boulangerie/patisserie that was recommended by our professors. One look at the variety of sandwiches available and I knew one of them would be destined to become my lunch.

a smoked salmon sandwich with chevre on a sesame baguette accompanied by a wonderful strawberry (trifle?) dessert.

My First French Baguette

From the moment the yeasty scent of freshly baked bread first wafted towards my direction, my nose started leading the way. It took me down a tree-lined side street and into a cute little boulangerie. I contemplated a sandwich, a macaron, or a pain au chocolat but ultimately I was there for the baguette--and that was what I got. The nice French lady handed the baguette wrapped only in a tiny piece of parchment paper to me and to my utterly delighted surprise, it was still warm! Thoroughly excited, though too embarrassed to let it show--I didn't want to seem completely incompetent to the French--I pretty much skipped my way back to my hotel room with a long baguette in hand.

I had to restrain myself from breaking the perfectly golden crust before I made it back into my room, but when I did, it was amazing. The thin crispy crust easily gave way to the soft, tender, yeasty center. I devoured a piece with entire baguette still in hand before remembering the cute glass jar of Nutella I got this morning. Add a smear of nutty, chocolate-y Nutella and you've got heaven in a bite. sigh. I'm loving Paris.