A Stroll down rue Cler

 

Yesterday the weather outside was frightful, but never mind. The kids were wearing black shortie puffer jackets open in front.

I took a stroll down Rue Cler, one of Paris’ best Foodie streets.

We’re in Clementine orange 🍊 season, the main fruit to get us through the winter. Do not buy those charming ready-filled sacs or prepared cartons of fruit. You’ll be throwing out quite a few. Instead hand pick just what you need.

Chocolatier À La Mere de Famille has expanded from a closet-size to a much bigger shop.

And now they carry yummy pastries from Stohrer of rue Montorgueil!

I wish I’d had Bonnie along who knows Italian traiteur Davoli on rue Cler really well. Later she wrote me,” 

Check out the case…there are little signs on everything. 

 

For sides: the arronchini (rice balls) filled with ham & cheese are excellent and their purée (mashed taters) are exceptional. Don’t know how something so simple can be so good! We had their duck a la orange (hunks of duck w/orange slices and sauce, chicken & mushrooms in sauce, risotto w/seafood. Tell them “for one person…or two”, if you want leftovers.  They give you a receipt and you pay at the outside register (on the left). Then they give you your food.  Very nice and efficient. Inside they have NY-style cheese cake, bags of truffle chips, etc. 

More from Bonnie - “Jeusselin directly across the street has the best quiche in Paris…no lie!  (I spotted those good looking quiches). They will also fry you up a cheeseburger from their wonderful ground beef.” Next time Bonnie.

What I did get was a chevre goat cheese sandwich from the boulangerie on the corner. I fell hard for their pumpkin seed bread and bought a matching baguette. The pain au pistache/chocolate pastry was a mistake. Too sweet. I tossed it :((

If you want to sit down there’s Le Petit Cler. I ate there a long time ago. Classic simple, reasonable French bistro food from the same owners as La Fountaine de Mars.

Pralus has a small shop on rue Cler if you’re in the mood for their praluline cake with the candied pink praliné rose bits on top and who sn’t?

Do you love ❤️  classic French shop facades too?

At the rue Cler Fromagerie

Piles of chevre goat cheese inspired me to dig out my Paris cheese 🧀  map and put it on Etsy. Just the tip of the iceberg of all the foodie possibilities on rue Cler. Plus when it’s market day and the street is full of food stalls, you can really go to town. A wee taste of wintery Paris to tide you over till you can come for a visit. Stay warm dear PBers where ever you are 😊🐻❤️💋☕️

Maison de la Chantilly, Ines de la Fressange,

Tuesday was whipped cream tasting day at MAISON DE LA CHANTILLY

Gorgeous little mouthfuls of just the right amount of Chantilly whipped cream gathered from special French cows (FYI they do not reside at Chateau Chantilly but rather mid-France. Each one was personally interviewed and selected).

Their soft caramels made with Chantilly cream are 2-die-for I kid you not.

The Chef was on hand to fill your little cookie cone.

Not just any whipped cream can call it self 'crème Chantilly' by the way. There are rules just like Champagne. It is strictly regulated and requires a minimum of 30% fat. Who knew?

They have real Fontainebleaux and Pavlovas (I had to taste one). My first.

On Maison de la Chantilly's website they offer strawberry soup. I'm going back!

Strawberries make you think of shortcake. Red, white and blue July 4th coming up this Saturday.

The best, newest place to get your 4th outfit is Ines de la Fressange's shop on 24, rue de Grenelle 75007

Once an old bronze fixtures factory, the black- painted display cases are original and stunning

As is all the merchandise.

This is her concept store with something for everyone and their maison.

It's hard not to love her casual taste and superb eye.

Fressange's ebullient spirit is ever present.

I loved ❤️ everything in her store.

Especially the bits and pieces on her inspo board. Ines as a petite fille?

Fun, fun, fun! A don't miss shop with prices in all ranges.

Who knew there would be a Fourth of July Street Food festival in Paris?

I fell for cerises/fraises 🍓earrings in a shop window on rue Saint Louis en L'Ile. Cerises 🍒 are cute too.

This weekend I'll be painting strawberries at Chateau du Petit Thouars Independence day celebration.
Any PBers who show up will get the latest July Cherry 🍒 Sketch Letter  free. Y'all come.

🍒

I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience. 

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Thanks for reading PB 🍓

☕️ If you’d like to support my work, you can buy me a KO-FI here  ☕️  ❤️ Thank you so much! 🤸🏾‍♀️🎉🥂

Paris Bouquets

I tend to see a 'rash' of things in Paris.

Everyone sees Parisiens carrying baguettes - it's unavoidable.

Last time in Paris I saw a ton of people walking around carrying bouquets.

This bouquet-carrier, perhaps a flower delivery girl looks both ways before crossing.

I would too if I had such a lush bouquet in my arms.

I wonder if she makes trans-Atlantic deliveries - like right now, today.

Waiting in a Paris bus shelter in case of rain on your bouquet is wise.

It's also wise to wear colors that co-ordinate with your immediate surroundings, whilst carrying a bouquet.

Or not.

Very tall orchids on rue Cler.

I wasn't the only one seeing a plethora of bouquets.

Designer Kenzo filled his windows with them with matching scarves and skirts.

One thing Parisiens really get.

Is take-away/emporter floral bouquets.

They are available EVERYWHERE.

Who would not love to get a Paris bouquet delivered to their door today, please raise their hands.

This weather is the pits.
Or pop a bouquet on your head as a hat.

Who needs an umbrella?

BONJOUR PARIS BOUQUETS