There’s something mysterious– maybe even alchemical— about the qualities that have to come together to yield the “ideal” croissant. To make the cut, it should […]
Curious History of the Croissant (& Is it Really French?)
Food
5 Classic French Desserts & Sweets to Try For Christmas
As soon as late November or early December comes around, I find myself craving a few classic French desserts and sweet nibbles typically enjoyed around […]
Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin: A Modern Temple to Wine
It would take a 21st-century team of curators and wine experts for Bordeaux to get its Cité du Vin, a massive complex dedicated to wine […]
Where to Taste Delicious French Pastries in Paris: A Few Picks
The history of French pastry-making is, like almost everything else in the Gallic world, passionately debated. Some claim it starts with the 13th-century baker Régnaut-Barbon, […]
In Paris, Café Terraces Spill Into the Streets In Wake of Health Crisis
The outdoor café is part of what gives Paris its charm and energy. Whether it’s occupied for breakfast and morning coffee, pre-dinner apéritifs with friends, […]
Most Beautiful Restaurants in Paris: Stunning Dining Rooms
Recent trends in the restaurant world have tended to de-emphasize the importance of the dining room from an aesthetic point of view– or at least […]
The Forgotten History of Paris’ Wine Market (Halle aux Vins) & Warehouses
The area around the Quai St-Bernard at the edge of Paris’ Latin Quarter is strikingly contemporary– in contrast to most of the 5th arrondissement, where […]
Inside Le Train Bleu, One of Paris’ Most Beautiful Brasseries
During the heyday of train travel in the late nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries, rail stations in major cities were places where wealthy travelers showed off […]
History of Champagne: How the English Helped Birth Bubbly, & Other Facts
There’s something deceptively timeless about raising a toast over a glass of champagne (or some other form of sparkling white wine). It’s easy to imagine […]
Inside Maison Julien, the Bakery Awarded Best Baguette in Paris in 2020
It’s an annual tradition that’s certainly not taken lightly. Every year since 1994, a panel of judges gathers in the French capital to select the […]
Why Brittany Butter is Salted (& Coveted): A Bit of History
My partner and I almost always have a block of salted Brittany butter in the fridge, and usually there’s a “backup” somewhere in the freezer, […]
Some of the Best Places for Coffee in Paris: Roasters & More
It’s starting to feel like a routine to note that Paris has been getting significantly better at producing things it was once mediocre at. Craft […]
In Review: Clover Green, for an Elegant but Relaxed Meal in Paris’ Saint-Germain
It can be surprisingly difficult to find a “traditional” French restaurant in the capital that offer reasonable fixed-priced menus and thoughtfully presented, delicious dishes. But this […]
Paris Cocktail Week: Sample the City’s Most Creative Drinks
Cocktails haven’t always been a strong suit in the French capital. Just a few years ago, procuring a decent mixed drink– much less a thoughtfully […]
Inside the Paris Wine Museum (M. Musée du Vin)
Aside from the humble baguette, there is perhaps no other staple more common in French homes than the bottle of wine. Parisians have the luxury […]
Best Places for Brunch in Paris: Our Picks
It’s not always easy to find a decent brunch in Paris– or anywhere, for that matter. These days, brunch seems to be a bit hit-or-miss […]
Paris’ Little Tokyo: Best Japanese Restaurants & Shops Around Rue Sainte-Anne
While most tourists with a taste for gourmet experiences come to Paris to try French food, a few know that the city harbors its fair […]
Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Tastings in Paris: How to Enjoy?
The French may not celebrate Thanksgiving, but on the third Thursday of November they find something of their own to be thankful for: wine. To be […]
Parisian Legends: Interview with Patrick Roger, France’s Own Willy Wonka
I’ve pulled up an interview from my archives: a conversation with one of France’s celebrated chocolate-makers. It was originally published on About.com Paris Travel in […]
L’Officine Universelle Buly, a 19th-Century-Style Paris Apothecary
I’ve always been a bit skeptical of the apothecary trend. It’s generally struck me as a marketing ploy to raise the perceived value or originality […]
