Paris (Hot) Dogs!

Heavy duty research on The New York hot dog in Paris has kept us busy at HQ PB

Bear and I were near moved to tears when we spotted Jeff Koons' dog at the musée Pompidou last week. Memories of New York hot dogs past came to mind in a whoosh of emotion and knocked us flat. The pursuit was on.

Head honcho of Serious Eats, Ed Levine picked Frenchie To Go for the best hot dog of  Paris and best taste of 2014. He waxes poetic..

'The hot dog in its brioche bun is a work of art, maybe not deserving a place in the permanent spot in the Louvre, but worthy of a gallery showing on the Left Bank for sure. I took a bite. The memory of Nathan's flooded back to me. It had that snap, the grind gave it a perfect, just chewy enough texture, it had been properly smoked, and the garlic and salt that seasoned the hot dog were perfectly proportioned. 

*And it even had a surprise, an innovation that US hot dog sellers should take note of: the housemade sauerkraut, redolent of juniper, was beneath the hot dog, nestled in the depths of the brioche bun. It was the hot dog equivalent of finding the surprise gift in the old boxes of Cracker Jacks.'

We went off for a dog. Is he talking about the same dog I ate? The bun was not soft. The mustard squiggles got on your hands while eating?!(and 8 euros!)

A classic Nathan has the sauerkraut piled high on top.

Croute underneath the dog is the French way 😳

One can see why the French are crazy for NYC!

Doesn’t the French éclair appear to be a relative? Having perfected eclairs, they are driven to perfect the other?

La Mosaique - Pat's Hot Dog 56 rue du Roi de Sicile Marais was buzzing last Saturday.

Is this Pat? I did not want to derangée to ask.

You put on the toppings yourself - Relish, hot peppers and tiny fried onions.

I got the 'Alsacien' not noticing it was a chicken dog. This tasted more like a REAL New York hot dog than Frenchie I have to say. Plus Pozzetta is across the street waiting with pistache gelato. What's not to love? The price is right too.

At Les Halles cinema I passed on the so-called Original New York dog. No kraut on offer.

Leonie's Deli is brand new, open just one month 67 rue d'Argout 

Everything is bio.

I got the 'Bonnie and Clyde'

pain blanc - saucisse de Strasbourg

cheddar fermier - relish - oignons frits

moutarde douce / ketchup

Did they have any kraut? 

No way. Too stinky they said. Hmmm.

Other options: 

Paul et Virginie, Jeanne et Serge, Laurel et Hardy, Tristan et Iseult.

This shop LOVES hot dogs and does them proud. Their serving tray has a mission statement printed on it. You won't need a book here.

On to HUTCH 63 rue du Faubourg Saint Denis 75010

This place came the closest to fulfilling our dreams of the REAL New York dog. Their options are simple and right on. All for 4 euros.

Manhattan (cheddar)

Brooklyn (oignon confit)

Coney Island (chilli! a first in Paris)

New York(chou blanc!!)

And they didn't mind a bit putting the sauerkraut on top. Yahoo

Ze dog New Yorkaise parfait at Hutch wins Top Dog in Paris.

For a brief moment I thought I was back in New York.

Will a Sabrett hot dog cart please come to Paris!!

Now back to eclairs.

Paris is OK

PBer Carolyn wrote and asked if I was OK?
She'd seen pictures of armed soldiers in the streets of Paris.

I've seen Parisians walking their little dogs and eating ice cream cones. No soldiers.

The cafes were full up on Saturday, a nice sunny day.

In the Marais everyone was carrying orange BHV sale bags.

Me too.
I fell hard for this little Cotman travel watercolor box on sale. Reduced from 72€ to 28€. My excuse? I will paint in cafes (my new year's resolution is to sit in a cafe now and then).

I've had these travel sets before.

At least 15 years ago same box in a different color. I wish I could still fit into that Agnes B. top...

Paris pastry chefs are busy gearing up for Easter/Paques so I had to go to a tasting on Friday at Christophe Michalak Masterclass 60 rue Faubourg du Poissonniere. 75010

Michalak always puts a unique, whimsical twist on classic French desserts.

Like this grilled croque monsieur sucre  Michalak created on the spot on his new Panini toaster for us to taste. Inside Valrhona chocolate ganache, citron vert and banana sprinkled with caramelized sugar. Yum.

Sunday night I was running to catch an early show of Whiplash and looked in at Un Dimanche a Paris full of people buying chocolate.

A quick look inside Grim'Art, a pen shop. Addressing lots of envelopes, pens and calligraphy have become a recurring obsession.

By the time I got to the Odeon, Whiplash was sold out. Parisians are going to the movies folks.

Walking home I passed the 3-day vide grenier/brocante(outdoor antique market) at Mutualite-Maubert.

I used to be obsessed with silverware before pens and envelopes took over my life...

I went and saw Whiplash tonight. Excellent.

When I came out of the theatre the cafes were filled with people.
Still no soldiers.
Notre Dame is beautiful as ever too.
Paris IS OK people!

How to buy Paddington Bear’s Hat

Yesterday Bear dragged me to see Paddington since we missed it during the Christmas season.

OK, The truth is I dragged Bear to see Paddington. I'm a late-comer but none-the-less mad about the bear.

We saw the French version so a French leçon is part of the deal. Translation: 'Please take care of this bear'

Paddington has lovely manners.

Most of the time...

This movie excerpt the French call "Chaos dans le sale de bain"

LOL

The original drawings in the first edition of A Bear Called Paddington in 1958 was illustrated by Peggy Fortnum and are so casual and charming.

I quite fell in love with Paddington's red suede bucket hat.

I am not alone.
Vogue magazine thinks Paddington is the bee's knees too.
They say: 'Here's the thing about Paddington: He really is kind of chic'. They love his battered suitcase, blue duffle coat and like me, his rag-taggle red hat.

Paddington being of Peruvian origins, I thought I'd check there first. Nope. Nothing close.

Same goes for just plain 'Paddington Bear's red hat'.

Vogue suggested Lovely Bird suede bucket hat at Urban Outfitters but they are not present in Paris in a big way...

Finally at Amazon I found a sort of look-alike faux suede hat. I sent it to author of Le Road Trip,  Vivian Swift and asked her to sit on the hat for a week before sending (to achieve the crumpled look. Peut-etre...qui sait?

When Bear and I were leaving the theatre yesterday, we noticed in the credits, the actual makers of Paddington's hat are Moody and Farrell of London. (250£) We may have to make a special request.

Bear was thrilled to see Paddington is also an artiste of distinction.

He's been busy painting 'bonus' renewal original watercolors for Paris Sketch Letter renewers. BIG MERCI!

By the way, original author 88-year old Michael Bond has a cameo part in this delightful film. Keep an eye out for him. 

If you've ever been a stranger in a strange land (me in Paris) or even just waiting at the station to be picked up and wondering if someone will  ever come or...you will LOVE PADDINGTON. A ❤️heart-felt film not just for kids. Please go!

Evidently lots of kids wrote to Paddington and sent letters to the fictitious address in the book. They ended up in author Bond's mailbox.

If you'd like to get 6 past Paris Sketch Letters in your mailbox, there is a JANUARY SALE in my Etsy shop.
6 letters in ONE envelope minus the extras (weight issues) at reduced price and reduced shipping (with just one fold in case you'd like to hang them on the fridge).
What's not to love?
Paddington left his paw prints all over Paris. And he's made me want to wear a hat 🧢 Cheers, Carolg & Bear