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.

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

Dinner at Benoit

Who knew that Paris had restaurant week? "Tous au restaurant" is the French version and I am so happy that my friend told me about it in time to make a reservation at one of the city's oldest bistros. Benoit has been serving great French food since 1912 as a family restaurant until they passed it onto the world renowned chef Alain Ducasse in 2005 and he promised to stay true to their traditions while bringing Benoit into its future.

As you walk in you are taken back in time to an older Paris. It is beautiful, warm and cozy with the most amazing china I've ever seen. The service was lovely (rare in Paris!) and every single thing we ate was perfect. That includes the massive slab of butter that we devoured completely. We have no shame!

Thank goodness for the two for one prices during this special week because otherwise my poor little self would not have got to experience such a great and classically French meal in this city. Mmm, I love Paris!

Best of Paris: Rose Bakery

As you already know, Paris is full of food. Cusine is oozing out of this city like nobody's business. People think that every restaurant in Paris is going to be a revelation to your taste buds but to be honest, that is definitely not the case. Most cafes and brasseries have similar menus and if you are just looking for a croque monsieur or boeuf tartare then you are usually safe just popping into the corner cafe but if you are looking for something special then you need to do some research.

One of my favorite places is a little cafe called Rose Bakery. It was opened by a Franco-British couple and everyone - Parisians and tourists - have developed a huge love for it. They offer a cool, relaxing atmosphere and really great, healthy food. They always have different quiches, cakes and salads to choose from. Not leafy green salads but things like risotto with roasted squash, peppers and cheese or a salad of perfectly roasted vegetables. I have never had anything that I didn't love which is good because it can be a little bit pricey.

Lucky me, I have Rose Bakery at my disposal every single day because their 1st shop is located on the same street that I work on and their 2nd shop is located directly across from my apartment. I can see it from my window! I haven't made it over there for weekend brunch yet but I am thinking its a good spot to put on the list when my friends come to visit in a few weeks.

Next time you are in Paris, pop into Rose Bakery - you won't regret it!

Pastry School Homework 2

I am being such a good student. I do my homework every week. I'm so good at doing my homework I think about it constantly.

Probably not the best thing for my hips but according to my chef butter doesn't count as calories because it melts at body temperature; which means it just literally melts right off you. Yes, he is a little crazy but he is also very skinny...maybe he knows something we don't.

Here is the collection of my latest research for my internship. I can't believe I am half way through my schooling. My internship will begin in July! Which place looks the best to you??

Jean-Paul Hevin

Un Dimanche a Paris

Sebastien Gaudard

Laduree

Pastry School Homework

It's really a hard job.
But someone's got to do it.

4 month long homework assignment: find a patisserie that you want to intern at.
aka: go eat as many pastries as possible and justify it by calling it "research"

The amount of patisserie's in Paris make the amount of Starbuck's back home look small. They are on every corner, basically every other shop. Like I said before, this culture is centered around food and desserts. Be jealous. :)

One of the best pastry shops in the world is Dalloyau. My chef (pastry school teacher), the other class chef and my art teacher (who is an MOF...remember what that is???) have all worked at this shop. My crazy teacher worked there for 12 years before coming to teach at my school. I am lucky enough to walk by this shop every single day on my way to and from school and I can't help but linger in the window sometimes because it is so beautiful. This is an option (of many!) for an internship...decisions, decisions.

My mom and I both picked a chocolate cake (surprise, surprise) and they were both incredible. I chose the Opera Cake and my mom the Faubourg. Yum. I'm sure we will be going back when she visits this summer, right mom?

French Cuisine in San Diego

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of incredible food here. The Parisian lifestyle is really centered around eating well, and they do just that. Now, you might be thinking that you don't really like French food very much, but do you really know what French cuisine is? 

If you are thinking of frog legs and snails, then you've got it all wrong. Yes, they do eat these things but there is SO much more on the menu! You have probably eaten more French inspired plates than you think. 

I am surrounded by food in every direction in this city but today I find myself day dreaming of a little French restaurant in Ocean Beach, California. Bo Beau's. Ah, what I would do for some of their brussel sprouts. Yes, you read that right...brussel sprouts. To. Die. For.

{and some of that San Diego sunshine wouldn't be so bad right about now}

I was introduced to this restaurant by one of my greatest friends Amanda (I miss you!). We went with another friend, Chantel (I miss you too Chantelly!) to have dinner and some much needed girl time. It was a meal to remember. 

 wine

 brussel sprouts 

beouf boruguinon

As the French would say, "Ohh la la!" it was good.

I miss my friends and those delicious little veggies.

Now, go eat already!

Bon Appetit!

Food. Glorious food!

If you like to feast, come to France (or Italy) and apologize to your stomach in advance. 

People ask me "what are you up to?" and it seems like I am always answering "eating".

Baguettes, croissants, pan au chocolat, pastries, tarts, cheese... the list is endless but most likely it is a baguette and cheese. On top of that, I am bringing home tarts from school almost every day. 

I am not complaining about this at all. I love that this country is built around food. Sharing meals, enjoying a sweet pastry each day, savoring a fresh baguette and scouring the fromager for their best cheeses. I think it is great because food brings people such pleasure. It is satisfying and most importantly, it brings people together. The average French family has a full 3 or 4 course dinner each night with their family and they all stop whatever else it is that they are doing and all come together around the dinner table. I think that is very admirable. 

So, in French tradition my mom and I have been taking on French cuisine. We usually pick the restaurant by walking by the windows and deciding that one is cuter than the other and then we have our winner. We have had some good and some not so good. Unfortunately, the famous Cafe de Flore was extremely disappointing but we have found some gems too.

One of the cutest restaurants I have ever seen is right around the corner from my apartment. The Petit Chalet is quaint, charming, welcoming and delicious. The waitress was so gracious helping me with my lack of French and was kind enough to help me sort through the word vomit that was pouring from my mouth while trying to order.

Oh, and I discovered that Fromage Blanc is amazing.

Bon Appetit!

Gone to get my Visa

Another marker in the preparations for Paris. Mike and I went up to Los Angeles today to apply for my student visa at the French Consulate. It is a little bit of a trek but thats not a problem when I have such good company.

The appointment itself was pretty quick and painless. Minus the fact that I think they had the heater on in this tiny little room. Maybe to make everything feel intense? If so, it worked. I was relieved to get out of there.

Afterwards we went to this amazing restaurant that Mike found right on the water in Santa Monica. It was called "The Lobster" and we had a great view of the water and the pier. It was relaxing and I loved having a nice lunch with my babe.

Now, I'm trying to find the motivation to go for a work out. Cuddling with little Tay sounds so much better!!

Did I mention it was just Taylor's 1st birthday? She is officially one year old! I love my little muffin!

Updates about Christmas...coming soon!