I pass this café often when strolling up the rue de Chemin Vert, in the 11th arrondissement. Someday I’ll stop in at the bar for a café express since I’ve always loved the lettering out front. My local La Poste, a streamlined Art Deco masterpiece built in 1935, meant to suggest the speed and futuristic-optimism of the industrial revolution. Some would argue La Poste is…
In this month’s Hemispheres Magazine, the magazine of United Airlines, you’ll find my article about exploring the chocolate shops of Paris. I talk about many of my favorite places, why I like them…and what I recommend you get while you’re there! Although the article is only available on United Airlines flights in October (so book your flight to Paris today!) you’ll find a special ‘Cyber…
What do you do with a fruit who’s flesh is gritty and rock-hard, inedibly astringent when raw, and as vexing to slice through as a tough ol’ catcher’s mitt? No one seems to know what to do when they happen upon some quince at the market. The gnarly-looking fruits seem as if they’ve just been plucked from a medieval centerpiece, surrounding by medlars and split-open…
I am often asked the difficult-to-answer question, “Who is the best chocolatier in Paris?” There are very few parts of Paris where you can’t find something delicious made of chocolate. Luckily from my apartment, I’m just a few blocks from Dalloyau, Gerard Mulot, Lenôtre, and Joséphine Vannier near the Place des Vosges, a small chocolate shop whose window delights the tourists, but belies the more…
“This isn’t your house? Paris is your house! A dog dèjection left on a sidewalk is a 183€ fine. 30,000 garbage cans are at your disposal in Paris” (If you think it’s icky looking at this on your computer, this sidewalk billboard faces the tables at an outdoor restaurant and cafè. Imagine looking at that while enjoying dinner!)
While strolling the Mercato Centrale in Florence a while back, I was introduced to this curious gelatina, a little pot of Beer and Chocolate Jelly. When I told the shopkeeper I was a chocolatier, he gave me the jar as a gift (that’s why I love Italy…) and told me to let him know how I liked it. I conferred with my pal Judy and…
The stinky garbage strike finally ended…phew! We had ice cream at Dammann’s on the quai Montebello… I bought some fouque-ing seal oil to winterproof my shoes… I found a place to swim au natural with Parisians… …and my favorite chocolate shop in Paris gave me a nice, big bag of chocolates…for being such a good customer! Damman’s Glacier 1, rue des Grands Degrés Tel: 01…
Since we’re on the subject of beignets, I spotted these enticing looking pastries at one of my favorite out-of-the-way boulangeries in Paris. It must be a global trend. Boulangerie au 140 140, rue de Belleville Paris Tel: 01 46 36 92 47 Métro: Jourdain
We made it to Amateur Gourmet Survivor: Round II! The fierce competition already managed to raise so far $2750 thanks to many of your generous donations. This time, for Round II, it’s all about beignets, those favorite deep-fried pastries from New Orleans. Melissa, my dedicated Survivor contestant, made two separate batches: due to a successful whining campaign by yours truly, in addition to caramelized-apple beignets,…
Join me on my Spring 2026 book tour for my latest book, The Great Book of Chocolate
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