Sweet temptations

Since I have been in France I have had some amazing meals. I guess, I didn't expect anything else from the country whose cuisine has inspired the world all over. When you think about France, chances are you think about food. From the gastronomical fromageries (cheese shops), epicurean boulageries (bakeries) and tres dangereux patisseries, you can't walk more than a few metres without stumbling on something wondrous to put into your mouth.

As a self-confessed foodie, I need to chart some of my favourite meals, snacks and everything else in between, because god knows, the French eat all the time, no matter what time of the day it is! (This is something we noticed as soon as we arrived in Paris, whether it is 3pm, 5pm or 11am breakfast/brunch/lunch/afternoon dinner/early dinner/late supper, somewhere someone is always eating). It's fascinating!

I am going to keep a list of some of my fave haunts and keep adding to it. Some places will be worthy of a full posting in their own right. Today I will just talk about patisseries and places of oh so sweet things. St Germain has two of my new favourites: Gerard Mulot and Pierre Herme.

You can't miss Gerard Mulot on Rue de Seine. There will always be a line outside the front and the smell of baking croissants, brioche and quiche wafting down the street. You can find it by following your nose. A "local" parisian friend took me there, and I have been back twice since. It is always good to know that the art of eating croissant et cafe in the mid morning is not just a thing for the tourist trade. This artisan patisserie is full of French people doing their thing, which at many times of the day involves consuming a buttery (there's that word again) treat and a strong black coffee. I would recommend their spinach tart and salmon quiche too. c'est tres bon!

And right around the corner from Gerard, if you are still peckish (and even if you're not, this is a must see!) is Pierre Herme. You might be mistaken in thinking that you are walking past a chic boutique when you stroll past the Herme abode. And The Wallpaper guide informed me that Pierre also shows off his creations twice a year on the catwalks. But tucked away in a small street behind St Germain Boulevard is the home of the gloriously decadent and visully spectacular macaroon mansion (though it is only a few square metres in size).

I had never really been a devoted fan of the macaroon (pronounced ma-ca-ron with a heavily rolled "r" sound) until I came to Paris. These little divine jewel coloured morsels can be up to 4 Euros a pop, and are only one mouthful! Oh, but they are so worth the money and the calories. A thin, crisp shell, circular in shape, slightly rounded, and a tender interior. Just thinking about it now makes me quiver with pleasure.

When I was there on a Saturday afternoon, Parisians were queuing up to storm the tiny boutique. The piles of multi coloured temptations are a feast for the eyes, they are just so glorious and beautiful that you cannot help yourself. It is like a child in a candy store or moths to light. The divine delicacies come in flavours like white chocolate, hazelnut and truffle or other exotic incarnations such as rose and litchi.You have not known Paris until you have loved macarons, it is haute couture for the taste buds.

Merci,

Mel