PastryParis by Susan Hochbaum

There's nothing like browsing old Paris pics to get in a certain frame of mind.

Especially when you're supposed to be drawing Place Vendome + gems + perfume bottles etc.

I've yet to ride a Bateau Mouche although I watched Audrey Hepburn ride with Cary Grant in Charade the other day.

Here's a bateaux that will make you want to dream.

Christophe Michalak's Tarte au Citron Meringuee by Susan Hochbaum,

from Susan Hochbaum's new PastryParis gift book.

Susan juxtaposes Paris' luscious pastries, often in onsite settings, in a whimsical way that reflects their design, colors, ingenuity.

Bear and myself have been tussling over who is going to get their paws on Susan's book.

Bear, being the true Parisian, won.

Visual wit abounds. Look at the sublime repetition of forms in the Laurent Duchene's minty mousse dome sitting on a layer of strawberry jam amidst raspberry coulis whilst facing the Pont Neuf.

Pierre Herme's macarons sit by the Saint-Sulpice fountain, just a stones throw from his shop on 72, rue Bonaparte. Clever of Herme to put his patisserie by a park full of benches for hungry shoppers.

'Bear stop hoarding PastryParis!'

You can meet Susan at WH Smith in Paris 20 October, 7 PM.

Be sure to RSVP.
There will be a pastry tasting and champers

I was gazing so intently at Susan's Napoleon/croissant hat, I had to run out of the house and find something to pop in my mouth. Now I know how you feel when visual temptation calls.

I'm lucky a shop nearby carries Balthazar almond croissants. This is what happens to the day-old croissant. They're filled with almond paste, smothered in toasted almonds and squashed down. They look a bit sat on...Still it taste darn good after drooling over Susan's pictures.

Susan's book will be out on October 11. Mark your calendars and have pastry on hand for heavens sake!

BONJOUR PastryParis!

Parisien Pastries!

Sometimes a Parisien pastry looks like jewelry...
And sometimes a Parisien bracelet looks like pastry...
Sometimes a Parisien pastry looks like a work of art (more often than not)
And sometimes a Parisien artwork of food looks like I don't know what...
Sometimes looking at boxes of macarons makes you want to take out your paintbox...

And then you pray.

Sometimes a box of Parisien fraises/strawberries...

Looks just like a berry red pousette/baby stroller...

Or like a Parisien pup in a berry red coat...

There's no question...

That Parisiens...

Get their 3 - 5 (RED) fruits a day...

But are they getting them all in pastries is the question.

And does it matter?

BONJOUR PARISIEN PASTRIES!!

Paris Lunettes

Along with ogling pastry shops on every street corner in Paris. I am drawn to optical shops.They're almost every other street corner. This charmer, Optique des Vosges is in the Marais, 12-14 rue Saint-Antoine, 75004, just a spit from Place du Vosges.

I don't know what I'll do when the coke bottle frames go out of style. I'm addicted. It's the only way people are sure to find me, by my scarlet red goggles.

I found my frames by chance in Urban Outfitters for next to nothing. A village optical shop replaced the lenses.

The French are lucky to have their National Health pay for their fancypants lunettes/glasses.

 Is why you can't go two steps without tripping on a lunette shop.

OUCH! 360€ for this barely-there transparent cutie.

Transparent is IN, though I haven't seen them at Urban Outfitters.

I call these glasses 'Jagged Little Pill' like Alanis Morissette's song. Don't ask me why.

A very eccentric design for an artiste no doubt, though not this artiste. I would lose them in an instant. One thing about big coke bottle glasses - they're easy to spot when you leave them around.

Something else easy to spot are the mini billboards in pastry shop windows.You don't need googles to read these sign posts.

BONJOUR PARIS LUNETTES!

Boulangerie Gosselin

Sometimes the best thing you can do in Paris is take the wrong bus and get off at the wrong stop.

I thought I'd give you something to chew on over the week-end.

While shopping madly and wrapping gifts even more madly... A little look at Boulangerie Gosselin...

There are 3 branches - one is at 258 Boulevard St Germain, 75007

 Another at 28, Rue Caumartin, 75009 and 125, rue St.-Honore 75001 (merci Sweet Freak) Watch their delicious video here.

Oh why didn't I go inside and taste a slice of tarte au pomme or fige?

This is actually a neighborhood patisserie/boulangerie...

One you might never have heard of it...But everything looks...

Quite superior, including this lovely ganache gateaux au chocolat.
BEAR is always smitten with old fashioned giant meringues - miam

We WILL have to go back another time won't we for a taste!

BONJOUR BOULANGERIE GOSSELIN!

Bonne Week-End!

Paris Patisseries:History Shops Recipes

So tighten your bibs this morning PBers.

There's gonna be a whole lot of droolin' goin' on.Ze book I have been waiting for arrived yesterday:Paris Patisseries:History Shops Recipes
And it is worth every minute of anticipation and excitement.
The photographs by Christian Sarramon are incredible and incomparably detailed - almost better than the real thing! There are plenty of interior shots too like Angelinas here.

And Poilane's galette des rois here. The text is just as detailed as the photographs. You almost don't need to go to Paris.

Compare Sarramon's Ble Sucre's tarte tatin.

With my pathetic shot. Oh well c'est la vie..

There are two dozen recipes both metric and non-metric for the bakers out there. And extensive details on the best patisseries in Paris in the back of the book - this is a team effort and part of an excellent series published by Flammarion. 

The introduction is by Pierre Herme so everything is top drawer about this book.

I give it 5 miams.

That's the top grade at PB.

A box of French macarons also arrived yesterday!

Two dozen in fact and none of them broken. I asked The Tea Room to send me a box to try out and I have a happy report.

They are very fine indeed.

Not Parisien bien sur, but French and good size, good texture, good taste and the price is not bad at all in my opinion. Certainly worth munching on while you drool on the above book (just to get the full Frenchie experience).

Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would, now
So good, so good, I got you

Whoa! I feel good, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I got you

BON WEEK-END PBers!!!