I love Kouign Amann

Paris has a delightful array of pastry to try. The chefs are constantly competing with each other to come up with the best croissant or the best new surprising cake. Things can get pretty "innovative" and sometimes it adds up to a disappointment but when you find a pastry chef that does a classic perfectly...well, its lovely.

Kouign Amann has been popping up around the city this winter, probably because its heavy, warm and full of delicious, comforting salted butter. I remember trying one when I first arrived in Paris (not knowing what it was or what to expect) and I didn't really enjoy it. Clearly, I did not know pastry at all then! Because this pastry is so wonderful I just can't live the rest of my life without it. And I think I love them event more because they are a regional pastry from Brenton (aka: Brittany).

Thank goodness for David Lebovitz coming through with a working recipe for me to try when I get home. I take back what I said before, David.

I bought myself some individual kouign amann yesterday so I could treat myself for breakfast today and clearly enjoyed it too much to take a photo for you all. So here are photos from the shop where I bought them. I don't really recommend the shop for his chocolate or anything else (even though he is an MOF) but if you are in the city looking for a treat, stop in and pick up some kouign amann. I recommend the salted caramel. You'll die a little and go to butter heaven. *Heat these babies up in the oven for a few minutes before you eat them and it will be even more amazing.

You're welcome.

Georges Larnicol, MOF
132 Blvd. St. Germain 75006
33 1 43 26 39 38
http://www.chocolaterielarnicol.fr/

*he has many boutiques throughout Paris, this is just one location.

The List: Paris.

Judge me if you want but I love making lists. They keep me organized and I love being able to cross things off them.

So, naturally I made a list of things I am going to miss about Paris and things I will be happy never to experience again and also what I am most excited for back in the good old USA.

Wanna know?? Here is the Paris List.

Things I will NOT miss about Paris:

The smell of PEE. everywhere.

Being confused 90% of the time. Ooh la la, French.

Freezing. All the time.

Being stared at for no reason.

The Parisians. They are a depressed, angry group of people. Just Parisians. Other French people are awesome.

Paying 6 euros for the world's worst cup of coffee.

French banks.

Being worried about people trying to steal my things all the time!

Everything being so small. It's like living in a miniature world.

My laundry taking 2 and a half hours for a normal cycle and then taking two days to hand dry. wtf France..really??

That's not sooo bad..right? Now for the positive!

Things I will miss most about Paris:

The FOOD! Bread, cheese, butter, pastries, wine, paté...all these things will never be the same for me. Ever. I will miss it dearly. This move might be good for my waistline though.

The buildings and architecture. This city is beautiful. Gorgeous. Romantic. Just an average building on any given street can be breathtaking. I will miss walking around and admiring the city and the feel of Paris.

The Seine. I love this river. I will miss running along it and having picnics with friends. I will miss taking photos of it every time I cross it. Its lovely.

The BIG city. I never thought I would love living in a city (Paris is the first city I've ever lived in) but turns out that I love it! It feels good to get out of the city from time to time but I really enjoy the energy and the endless amount of places to explore. You could live here your whole life and never know Paris completely.

The restaurant and culinary scene. The French take their food very seriously. Everything is FRESH and well prepared. The chefs are educated and truly love what they do. I will miss exploring new wine bars, restaurants and pastry shops whenever I want to. I will miss the big outdoor markets that are selling really fresh and wholesome produce. I love feeling like I am part of an industry scene here.

The Eiffel. No denying it. I love eiffel. Its beautiful and breathtaking from all angles. I will miss being able to see it whenever I want to and sometimes when I'm not even trying to.

The ability to travel. Its Europe's best perk.

The street food. Crepes, falafel, sandwiches...yum.

The inspiration that Paris gives to its people. I hope this feeling stays with me. I feel like anything is possible and I have Paris to thank for that.

Paris, je taime.

An afternoon in Versailles

Today is the first day of the end of Paris. Last night I celebrated the end of my internship at Sébastien Gaudard's Patisserie des Martyrs. I can't believe it's over.

Naturally, this has got me reminiscing about the past year and everything I have done and experienced. The incredible people I have met and grown to call friends. I feel SO lucky to have gained this experience and these beautiful memories that I will have the rest of my life.

Of course there are things I might have done a little differently. Especially, I would have learned French BEFORE coming here! But I wouldn't change my experience. Paris will always be mine. It will stay with me forever. Just as Hemingway said...

While looking back on the year I found these photos that made my heart smile. The beautiful weather of Spring in Paris and a great afternoon with friends making a fun meal in Versailles.

As you (may or may not) know, our pastry group comes from all around the world. We made an international lunch and it was delicious! We had French, Brazilian, Vietnamese, American..all kinds of delicious things! 

I will miss times like this and I hope to keep in touch with these wonderful people I have met here and grown to consider my "Paris Family". Unfortunately, the time has come to go our separate ways but I will cherish these memories. C'est la vie. 

InstaParis 2

A while back I posted a bunch of my instagram photos of Paris since I had moved here. You all seemed to enjoy it so here is round two!

On Instagram? Follow me @britcampbell09 :)

Paris Food Truck: Le Camion Qui Fume

As Americans most of us are familiar with the idea of really good food being served from a truck. It is a fairly new idea but it really caught on in America and the companies have done pretty well. In France, this is a completely new, foreign idea. 

Now there are two Americans (Californians to be exact) who are shaking up the food scene here in Paris and they have really begun to win over the Parisians. The two food trucks are Le Camion qui Fume (burgers and fries) and the Cantine California (burgers, tacos (!!) and cupcakes)

Last week I waited in line in the FREEZING cold (lets talk waiting 40 minutes in 35 degrees and windy) to try Le Camion Qui Fume for the first time. It was worth the wait. This is only the second burger I'v had since I've been in Paris but it tasted like home. It might be even better than burgers you find in the US. 

With incredibly fresh French ingredients, the meat, cheese and even the freshly baked brioche bun all come together for a mouth watering taste of America and guess what? The French are loving it! 

Please forgive me for the terrible iPhone photos. I could barely get the courage to take my hands out of my gloves to snap the picture at all! 

To find their schedule check their website or follow them on twitter. Next up is the Cantine California. Check out this video about them in the NY Times!

Do you love food trucks? Have you tried any in your city??

 oh so attractive, we are.

Paris: Coffee Shops

I am a coffee lover. I could have multiple cappuccinos and lattes everyday and that would make me one happy girl. Before moving to Paris I had heard and read horror stories about the lack of good coffee here. People made it sound like I would be doomed to a life of terrible, bitter coffee for the year with no escape.

Well, to their credit - they are somewhat correct. Your average cafe offers up Cafe Richard's coffee which is definitely not good or exciting but it isn't the worst thing ever if you are in need of some caffeine or just don't particularly care how your coffee tastes.

Needless to say I have gone out of my way to try and find a good cup of jo in this town. I have had a few good ones here and there but I have named my favorite. Luckily for me, this shop is on the same street that I work on so I get to enjoy it anytime I want!

The employees there probably think I'm mental because they see my English speaking face at least twice (and sometimes more) a week. They are such a nice and pleasant group of people. I love this Aussie founded coffee shop because their coffee is hands down the best I have had in Paris and their lunch options are just as delicious. 

Pick from sandwiches stuffed with quality ingredients like avocado, sun dried tomatoes and smoked salmon or pick up a piece of banana bread to go with your drink. They even offer fresh squeezed juices of all kinds! Hang out in the cafe and join the rest of the crowd working on their laptops and chatting with friends out on the street side. 

Rue des Martyrs is an amazing little market street with so many options for lunch but Kooka Boora is always by go to. I will miss this place when I have to leave. Stop in the next time you are in Paris!

Kooka Boora Cafe
53 ave Trudaine
75009 Paris

Thankful Thoughts Vol. 1: Paris

It's November! For real? Where does the time go?!

Fall has actually been treating Paris really well the past week or so. It has been freezing cold but at least the rain has been held to a minimum which I am so happy for! Today I might have been caught in the most intense hail storm I've ever seen (and I mean, i-n-t-e-n-s-e!) but it was fun so I'm not complaining.

So, of course November means it is soon going to be one of America's finest celebrations - Thanksgiving! I'll be spending my first Thanksgiving away from home this year but that doesn't mean I won't be celebrating just the same. We are already planning our feast with pumpkin pie and green bean casserole included.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I will be writing about all the many things I have to be thankful for in my life throughout the month. Some friends will be stopping by to share their happiness with you also. Feeling grateful for things this season? Share your happiness and link up with me or send me an e-mail for a guest post!

Let's state the obvious. I am SO THANKFUL for PARIS! I am in LOVE with Paris. It is the most beautiful place on earth and I really don't think any city can compete. Paris has taught me so much about life, love and myself. I could never repay what I have gained while living here. Paris is inspiring.

Paris has given me the memories of a lifetime. It taught me how to live life.

It taught me about food. 

It taught me how to eat. 

It guided me to my passion. 

It brought me amazing new friends. 

It showed me how to slow down and how important it is to find joy each and every day and in everything. 

It made me thankful for America and a place and people to call home.

It shows me beautiful things every day.

It reminds me to enjoy myself and indulge in life.

It taught me about quality.

It taught me that time is precious and life is fleeting.

It showed me that change is good. and inevitable.
It reminds me how incredible life is and how big and beautiful our world is.
It taught me about all the little pleasures in life and how those little things add up to be the big things.

Paris is a part of me now. This place fills me up, makes my heart swell. It has changed me, inspired me and I will never quite be the same again. Paris truly is a moveable feast and I am SO THANKFUL that I came to the table.

Merci pour tout, Paris.

<3