What Marie-Antoinette ate for Christmas

Living in France, it's a year since December 25, 2012, everyday is an epiphany. Light bulbs 💡 go off all the time. 

Food windows like this leave me amazed and transfixed.

Some French people (not the marche locavores or bio-crazy) want to eat like Marie-Antoinette.

Maitre chef Antonin Caréme set the bar high for wildly imaginative cuisine both visually and flavor-wise. The tradition continues today.

Guess where I found this extravaganza on Christmas Eve day. Monoprix! It is a good day to shop by the way. There were not so many last-minute crazy shoppers. Most French have been planning this meal since November. It begins at the Salon du Chocolat.

Sumptuous dishes The Royals wouldn't turn their noses up at.

 

These pretty jelled creations are from the town of Vernon close to Giverny, Monet’s home.

An exquisite layered affair spotted in a rue Saint Antoine's vitrine. 

Back in Paris at none other than MONOPRIX.

Are you planning a banquet? The ex-king of Spain is coming. Where do you go for provisions? MONOP.

I'm painting Chris and Steve's portrait in Paris. They invited me along while they picked up their specially ordered büche at Laduree I didn't say no.

I didn't resist a mini version of their order- Büchette Paeva, four red fruits with almond and vanille creme inside. (8,50€)

They invited me demolish this little puppy. Perfect for 3 bites. No more. That's a smidge of raspberry confiture inside as well as flavoring the outer cake casing.

Marie-Antoinette's OTT style isn't limited to the dinner table. Nail polish ads are just as fabulous. BHV had posters/affiche all over town deconstructing the traditionally elaborate Christmas Büche with a gold-leafed real log topped with meringue mushrooms. A clin d'oeil/wink to French traditions. Yes there are still plenty of buches in Paris until New Years.
But nO day-after-Xmas sales here.