You know you live in Paris when…: French Combat Rations
At home in Paris, in a neighborhood with an extraordinary array of food shops, bakeries and restaurants, the author opens a box of French combat rations and sets out on a mission of three square meals.
French Wines for an American Thanksgiving
Americans celebrating Thanksgiving in France typically, even traditionally, enjoy their fresh French turkey with some fine French terroir in their selection of wine—make that wines, plural, since a long meal calls for more than one.
La Fontaine de Mars, Mainsail of Culinary Explorations in Paris’s 7th arr.
The mainsail for culinary explorations in Paris's 7th arrondissement is La Fontaine de Mars, the ultra-traditional, southwest-leading Parisian bistro, red-and-white checkered tablecloths, watchful matron, harried but attentive service and all.
A Meal in Montmartre: Chicken or Beef on Rue Lepic
Strolling down rue Lepic in Montmartre may lead on an essential dining question: Chicken or beef? Le Coq Rico, Antoine Westermann’s “poutryhouse” near the top of the hill, or Les Fines Lames, a beef restaurant run by a three friends towards the bottom?
The Humble Crepe Gets a Paris Makeover
The humble crepe has been enjoying a Paris makeover recently as stylish yet relaxed restaurants devoted to neo-griddlecakes topped with anything from yuzu and Japanese sugar to sautéed scallops have popped up in trendsetting neighborhoods throughout the city.
Kei Kobayashi: Exceptional French Chefs Aren’t Always French
If the name Kei Kobayashi sounded more French then perhaps this exceptional chef would have more American and British clients at his restaurant Kei, near Les Halles. As it is, he has a faithful French clientele, Japanese clients and a smattering of other well-informed international gastronomes. No need to wait for him to earn a third Michelin star to put Kei on your culinary map of Paris.
Benoît Castel: Bread, Brunch, Pastries in Eastern Paris
Brunch at Benoît Castel Ménilmontant, a pastry shop and bakery in the 20th arrondissement, is an ideal place to begin weekend wandering in the increasingly gentrified neighborhoods of eastern Paris. We came for the bread, we stayed for the brunch, and only later did we taste the heart of Benoît Castel’s trade, the pastries.
In the Spirit of Normandy: Calvados Cocktails
Getting into the spirit of Normandy with the history of the apple brandy calvados, the rise of the calvados cocktail, encounters with top bartenders Colin Field and Marc Jean, and the Calvados Nouvelle Vogue International Trophies competition in Normandy. Includes four calvados cocktail recipes.
Vézelay: A Chardonnay Emerges from the Shadow of Broader Burgundy Wine
From time to time a winegrowing area will flex its viney muscle and, claiming distinctiveness, seek to untether itself from broader semi-generic wines in a region. So it is with Vezelay, France's newest village appellation, a chardonnay from Burgundy.