Paris vs. New York

 Looking for pink in New York takes extra effort. And it may smack you in the face like this giant heart candy (an artwork) on Madison Avenue.

 I tasted tiny pink sugar hearts in an UES(upper East side) penthouse on Saturday. They're from Chambre de Sucre (Japanese). You can win some you go to Une Deux Senses.

 New York is full of Paris' pinks like this Eiffle Tower at Pylones...

 Comparisons are not odious if you're reading Vahram Muratyan's Paris Versus New York-an adorable gift book for the Paris/New York obsessed.

 A few sample pages just in case you haven't clicked on Muratyan's FAB blog...

 I beg to differ with Mr. Muratyan on this page...

 With Parisian's cupcake obsession...

 And New York's macaron obsession (these are from Patisserie Ceci-Cela) the tables have turned don't you think?

 Amelie vs. Carrie...mais oui

 Ralph is better doing a pink trench...

 And French Jacadi on Madison does perfect French stripes.

 Both towns are neck and neck...

When it comes to little shop dogs don't you think?

Cupcakes Berko

Cheescake and cupcakes. What's not to love? BUT is this why you come to Paris? OUI! If it's BERKO in the Marais at 23 rue Rambuteau 75004

I'm not even a cupcake person but...

These little minis are soooo enticing.

Now Berko has long rectangular tartes in citron meringue too...

What to get? The citron meringue mini cuppie? Which one would you fall for?

OR the long tarte thing? The tarte thing won out bien sur - more lemon meringue to love. It was just as good as it looks, maybe even better. Note the pecan tartes behind and it ain't even Thanksgiving!?

Berko has new little mini round tartes too...

I thoughtfully waited until after lunch before showing you these...

BONJOUR BERKO!

Inside Fortnum & Mason!

Inside Fortnum &Masons is a completely different story.

Very Xmasy indeed!

Naturalement they have the traditional teapots of every variety bien sur...

But tea in a pear container? Quite festive non?

In fact F&M's containers are some of the best!

Like this jolly tin...

Where else but merry old England can you find a biscuit box like this one?

More delightful British tins..The perfect gift for Xmas - a container of Stilton fromage...

An advent house to beat all advent houses non?

Holiday cupcakes not to be forgotten...

So even if the windows are full of skulls + truffles...

One can seek instant refuge inside with all the essentials for a lovely christmas

YAY!

BONJOUR FORTNUM & MASON!

Cupcakes Gallery Printemps

OH NON! not more cupcakes! Please blame BEAR.
Being a Parisien, when he sees the words 'CUPCAKES GALLERY' he goes bananas. And Printemps is co-operating fully...With a BIG cupcake party in full swing... Downstairs -anyone who is anyone is munching away... These are just mini cupcakes + bagels svp. BEAR, a recent New Yorkaise, adore les bagels and is moaning, mais je dit,
"Non! Absolutement pas NON!" Eeeek - le prix!
C'est un peu tres CHER non!
A mini lunch box of 1 mini cupcake + 1 giant bagel with lox + 1 drink is 12 euros.

Still...

They ARE awfully adorable et jolie - regarde le framboise!

Les mini oreo!!

Et speculas et caramel beurre aussi...

All cupcakes are from BERKO in the Marais

23, rue Rambuteau 75004

BEAR is lapping it up on his home turf...

I had to try at least 2 = a citron meringue + a speculas...

BEAR, being a true Parisien, insists we visit Cafe Pouchkine on the first floor at Printemps...

Bien sur, c'est plus elegant!

OMG!

BEAR is eyeballing the dotty macarons...sigh

Only looking this time BEAR.

Oh les gateaux c'est extraordinaire!

Very gorge indeed...

Time for a cuppa? Bear asks...

Jamais!

We must keep running.

Only a few days left in Paris!
It's thoughtful of Printemps to have something for everyone don't you think?

Not everyone is cupcakes crazy...hmmm

But if you are, Please sing along with SEVEN NATION ARMY

I'm gonna fight 'em all, ze CUPCAKES
A nation army couldn't hold me back from ze CUPCAKES!
They're gonna rip it off
Taking their CUPCAKE time right behind my back

And I'm talking to myself at night about ze CUPCAKES
Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind a cigarette
And the message coming from my eyes
Says leave it alone, ze CUPCAKES!

BONJOUR PRINTEMPS!