Le Quartier Japonais

Creme Bavarois Fraise Japonais, 9" x 11"Creme Bavarois Japonais, 9" x 11" I recently got a copy of Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris - I've been reading it non-stop even while walking in the street... If anyone knows Paris' food, native Clotilde Dusoulier of the famed blog, Chocolate and Zuccini does and it's great fun to follow Clotilde into the patisseries, restaurants and marche wherever she goes and learn from her experiences. I opened the book to a section on Le Quartier Japonais (p.18) and was reminded.
Of my walk up rue Sainte Anne with French Girl one Friday night.

I'm sure you're thinking I am NOT going to Paris to eat Japanese food! But rue Sainte-Anne is lined with affordable, fun restaurants and the streets are filled with young French people out for a good time for little $.

We went to Restaurant Aki (not on Clotilde's list) but I saw bowls of Soba noodles on Flickr and was salivating besides pastry.

We sat at the bar and watched.

The chef throws together dishes faster then I don't know what

Plus we could watch the scene downstairs on his giant screen.

I was chastised by Fr Girl for getting a boring salad but I LOVE the orange-carrot-ginger-sesame dressing even if it is on iceberg lettuce 

Fr Girl got the more interesting seaweed salad and eggplant thing + miso soup.

And then Aki's famed dish, Okonomiyaki omlette - maybe she ordered too much.

And I had the fab Soba noodle soup. I wouldn't mind a bowl right now. Don't hesitate to eat Japanese on rue Sainte-Anne if you'd want to give your palate a rest and do take Clotilde's guide with you. It's the right size for travel and fine for a bit of armchair traveling.

BON WEEK-END et

BONJOUR LE QUARTIER JAPONAIS!

The Paris Walk part deux

Previously I was absolutely certain the Parisian straight legged gait...
Was due to the stance of the Eiffel Tower...

Then I spotted Pres. Charles de Gaulle on Champs Elysees et voila!

Even Parisian 'walk' lights commemorate...

General de Gaulle...

Your average Parisian simply does not bend their knees when they walk...

It's a fact no one else has bothered to notice. None the less I'm convinced.

It would behoove you to wear US Converse shoes if you'd like to blend in whilst practicing the Parisian walk - a bit of a paradox no?

Here a French dad demonstrates the walk...

The son seems to be getting it.

Not much is required of the Parisian dog.

If they choose to bend or not bend at the 'knee' joint (if there is such a thing)it's of no consequence. C'est comme ca.

BONJOUR PARIS WALKS!

Macaron/Food Photography Ranch Weekend

Last night I lite a 'macaron' candle and said a little prayer... Photo by Helene Dujardin
Macaron Queen, par excellance, Helene Dujardin is joining forces with Pioneer Woman, Ranch Queen, for a prize weekend in July of baking macarons, shooting them and riding broncos in OK. If you're a photography afficianado you'll definitely love Helene's new book on how to shoot food. I'm working my way through it.Ree Drummond of 'Pioneer Woman' is the mistress of home on the range. If you haven't visited, run over right now. You'll not be disappointed. And why not throw your hat into the ring to win this terrific weekend (July 23-24) baking and shooting macarons. Wouldn't it be great if a PBer won?
T-shirt by ANNE MAISONEUVE
I entered the contest. Even though I LIVE in macaron T-shirts and wear macaron boxer shorts. I drink out of a macaron cup... Use a 'macaron' mouse pad daily, still I cannot bake macarons! Macarons infiltrate my life in every possible way. But shouldn't I be baking the %$#@ things as well? I may have the biggest collection of mini macarons on the planet... While others go to Paris and buy Christian Dior socks I spend all my $$$ on macarons...

Attempting to read Japanese pastry books on macarons is not beyond me. It's called obsession.
Besides BEAR says he'd like to go.

BONJOUR Macaron Weekend!
 

Pain de Sucre & Kings of Pastry!

Tonight 'Kings of Pastry' will be playing on PBS. To get in the right frame of mind immerse in the amazing tartes of Patisserie Pain de Sucre. Last trip I only peered in the window. I didn't go inside. Admittedly I was munching on a tarte citron from Cupcakes Berko across the street.

An act of betrayal and regret I relive daily since.

Pastry chefs Didier Mathray and Nathalie create shapes, flavors, colors and textures unique among Paris' patisseries.

I can't wait to go back and taste these.

Or at least taste the mini versions - 'tentation'/temptation, the perfect name for this tarte framboise.

"Castanea'- Sablé à la farine de chataigne, pulpe de pomme légèrement caramélisée,praliné croustillant, crémeux au marron, biscuit tendre à la châtaigne, mousse à la pulpe de châtaigne, glacage à la noisette.

Pure poetry no?

What looks like a mini version of the Castanea is really a nounours - chocolate-covered marshmallow on a stick.

I have tasted many of Pain de Sucre's caramel macarons.

Do have the right snacks while you watch Tonight's Kings of Pastry.

Bonjour KINGS & Pain de Sucre!