Guerlain du 68 Champs-ELysees

Yesterday was one of those floating-on-air days even though it was raining cats and dogs and grey as can be in Paris. We got invited to see all the new changes at 68 Champs-Élysées, Guerlain's flagship store and 4 years in the making. You really must visit if you come to Paris. It's like an aromatherapy treatment from the moment you enter the door.

"Luxe, calme et volupte".

We got a tour from top to bottom

Where M I?

OK U got it. Mignon non? At Monoprix with matching glasses, cups, plates et pas cher...
I love the reflection in Christian Constant's ice cream ardoise
The REAL thing is nice too on rue de Rennes near Monoprix..

I'm sitting in MIYOU - Guy Martin's quickie lunch place on the deuxiem etage 2nd floor in Le Bon Marche

And eating a designer layered salade of quinoa bien sur with shrimp + pomegranate seeds = miam :)

No ones going to mind if I bring out my tarte au citron meringuee of the day, since I bought it next door at La Grand Epicerie, right? Louise says it's No.#4 (3.60 euros) on the best meringue list. I'm working my way through the list this trip. Fortunately I've already eaten Patisserie des Reves last trip so I am a little ahead.

3 down with 9 more tartes to go in 10 days.

wish me luck :)

Rick Tulka, famous Brooklynite-expat cafe artiste waits for me at his fav cafe Le Select. Out comes the chocolate mac Louise says is the best in Paris (I meant to get the mini size but was trop blase when La Grand Epicerie vendeuse burbled something and I just nodded back oui) - quelle idiot moi. Next time I'll note the bag is awfully big for two little macarons. Rick asks me to stop embarrassing him and hide the mac...ahem

We both doodle in unison - great fun.

Afterwards a stroll down my old haunt, rue Vavin.

An 'Older French Girl (OFG) leche-vitrine/licks the windows browsing.

Perfectly severe yet charmante clothes pour la bebe...

Pink scooters line up outside an ecole...

Giant pink meringues, formerly my dessert of choice before macarons came along - I love the way they crackle when you bit into them and then telltale crumble down your front. Chomp, chomp.

Pink ballerines - icon of Paris.

Only in Paris - DIY Whoopie pies in pink/rose

A final green tea Matcha domo dessert from Sadaharu Aiko just before bed instead of something pink. That green tea kept me up till 2:30 AM :(
Still...what's not to love about being in Paris?

Bonjour PBers!

Guy Martin, Portrait of a Grand Chef

Fruit de la Passion et la Fraise, watercolor, 9" x 11"
I've always wanted to sketch pastries in rows - the way you see them in patisseries windows...
 A wonderful cake sketch of Wayne Thiebaud's et voila!Artists sketch out their ideas before painting. Many pastry chefs, Japanese or otherwise, also sketch before baking their creations. Who knew Michelin 3-star Parisian chefs sketch as well? I watched a fascinating documentary on Guy Martin yesterday. Chef Guy Martin earned his bones not in any culinary school or by doing stages, but on his own cooking in several country chateaux in the Savoy region. He was then invited to cook in one of Paris' grandest restaurants, Le Grand Vefour and won his third star. I've looked in the window and admired the menu, but that's it.

Chef Martin hangs out with artists in his spare time for inspiration...

 Back in the kitchen, Martin sketches out his ideas like this 'red' ratatouille. Quelle surpris!

Another intriguing thing about chef Martin - he invites French school children in gratis for special lunches to educate their palates.
Lucky ducks!

  I'm waiting for an electric knife to cut cleanly through my 'pastry models'...

Hurry up Amazon...

BONJOUR GUY MARTIN, Chef-Sketcher!