Fou de Patisserie

It seems like Fou de Patisserie is the hot spot nowadays if you're a voyager in Paris in search of a sweet treat.  The concept is simple: gather one or two of the best pastries from Paris' top patisseries and sell them in one store at one price point.  One stop pastry shop.  

Head over to the shop on the famed Rue de Montorgeuil and if you're lucky enough to snag a table out front, do so for the people watching on this pedestrian street.  If not, the nearest park isn't far.  And if you can stand the wait, walk over to the Seine before you take a bite.  

The good people at Fou de Patisserie will patiently wait while you make a decision and box up your pastries of choice rather masterfully.  The offerings change fairly frequently, so it's worth ducking in every now and again if you get the chance.  

The storefront is small, but just the right size for 3 or 4 patrons to browse.  They even have a selection of gourmet ice creams in the freezer case outside the door.  

This strawberry beauty from Un Dimanche a Paris consists of a crunchy cookie base, strawberry pate de fruit and a light cream.  It's finished with fraises de bois and was a delightful combination.  To the right you see Karamel's lemon tart.  It's a deep shell filled with lemon curd, caramel and hazelnuts.  Refreshing and rich all at once.  And check out that pillowy meringue.

On a beautiful day in Paris with visitors from Washington, D.C., I got to try these four lovely compositions.  A raspberry and vanilla pastry from Angelina, Cyril Lignac's gray beauty, L'Equinoxe, a "club sandwich" strawberry cake from Hugo&Victor, and Un Dimanche a Paris' milk chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel bar.

A long case shows off the pastries while pristine refrigerators keep the ones meant for eating fresh.  

The Phil'gout.  Get it?

Lime Tart

Pistachio Blueberry Choux

 Many thanks to Fou de Patisserie for your existence and helping regular people discover the most wonderful and delicious parts of Paris.

If you've ever visited, I'd love to hear about what you tried in the comments!

Foud de Patisserie

45 Rue Montorgeuil
75002

Metro: Chatelet/Sentier

The website is mostly dedicated to their publication:
http://www.foudepatisserie.com/

Ceci et Cela

Since arriving in Paris, I've absorbed lots of things. From the downright humorous to the mildly amusing, interesting to unlikely.

Eventually, I will take photos with my DSLR, I promise.  The iPhone photos aren't forever.

But, this post will be a peek into my life here through random pictures.  If you aren't into non-professional photos, consider yourself warned.

I've made it one of my missions, while here in France, to try as much of the cheap chocolate readily available in supermarkets as possible and to report back on how it differs from American offerings.  Milka and Côte d'Or are what I've tried thus far.  These two options are under €2.  Côte d'Or is a Belgian brand owned by Mondelēz. My first purchase was their "L'Original Noir" which is one of the most sugary "dark" chocolates I've ever tasted.  The tablets are difficult to break and overall too big.  In terms of taste, design and quality I wouldn't give this one a high rating.  The Milka "Triple" bar had a bit more going for it.  The tablets are the right size and in each row there is a different filling, three total, thus "Triple."  At least I can say that this one was fun to eat.  

I have only spotted a few American candy bars around.  Yesterday, on the RER, I was next to an older, very thin French woman munching on a Twix bar.  I'm wondering if this woman has cornered the market, because I have not seen a solitary Twix bar in any store or vending machine.  It's also possible that I am not looking hard enough, because honestly, I don't care.  I'm in Paris.  Why would I want American candy?

This gateau was leftover from New Year's Eve and came from a supermarket.  It was a fairly decent strawberry mousse confection.  The gateau itself is not particularly notable, but there is a small story behind it that I find amusing.  

My host kids are in the habit of TURNING DOWN CAKE for dessert and asking instead for cheese or a banana.  

Upon further reflection, I actually totally get the whole cheese thing.

They sell this book at the Palais Garnier gift shop and I want a copy.

Some people I've taken tea with *cough* take a lot of sugar in their tea, 3-5 lumps.  Also, note how adorable the sugar packets are here.  I've seen all sorts of cute designs and rectangular prisms.  Too bad  I never actually use them...   

La Diversité

Paris, I've found, is quite diverse.  It is a fact that makes this place so appealing to me in several respects.  The city and its suburbs are demographically varied, but what surprises me is the variety of activities, food, and scenery.  Each neighborhood has an identity, homegrown businesses, pittoresque parks and much more to keep its dwellers content.

sandwich in the cafe window

There are cute conceptual businesses like Cosy Corner in the 4th arrondissement with a view of La Tour Saint-Jacques just across the way.  Cosy Corner is a sleek, silent internet café perfect for studying or writing blog posts. For €5 an hour, visitors have access to wifi and silence along with unlimited tea-time beverages and eats.  A great spot to take your date if you're nervous about having a conversation.  wink wink 

I'm sure I will return often to study, write and have a piece of cake.  Obviously, like all things in my life, I'm in it for the cake.

Chocolate cake at Cozy Corner

Do you spy La Tour Saint-Jacques?

Human diversity played a role in my enjoyment of the New Year's Eve festivities in Paris.  I went to the Champs-Élysées to see the light show on l'Arc de Triomphe.  My group consisted of a Parisian, five Italians and yours truly.  Not only was my personal circle diverse and interesting, they opened doors for us to have funny encounters.  Like the Japanese gentleman who spoke to us in an enthusiastic smattering of French, Italian and English.  I also enjoyed the apparently typical group of Algerians who were chanting patriotically for their country even though patriotism is fairly irrelevant in terms of ringing in a new year.  

Champs-Élysées on New Year's Eve

I am becoming more comfortable with the language barrier, although I hope at least the French one will begin to fall, and I find it amusing to communicate through facial expressions, gestures and an odd word or two.   

This was supposed to be a food blog, right?  So, I guess it's necessary to have a bit more discussion of food and the different choices one has in Paris.  I've had authentic-tasting Middle Eastern, North African,  Indian, and Portuguese food and approximations of American specialties, but as of now, I think that the Mexican food is lacking.  

Upon my arrival last Sunday I was guided to O'Tacos in Saint-Denis which is a chain here that specializes in tacos, right?  Don't be fooled by the fact that this establishment is literally named after tacos.  The concept is French influenced tacos - which turn out more like burritos - and I'm not saying that they are displeasing.  However, my first Mexican (?) food experience here did not make me feel like I was in Texas eating outside of a hoppin' food truck.  I was just eating cordon bleu wrapped in a flour tortilla.

excuse this horrendous photograph

Paris is obviously a hub for culture, so it makes sense that plenty of activities are available to the common man.  Okay, maybe not everyone attends the opera or the ballet.  It is, however, likely that anyone could.  There are all sorts of discounts for students, employees of certain companies and specific day-of-the-week deals to make the arts and activities accessible for all.  Museums, landmarks, shows, you name it.  Last week, I had the privilege of attending a contemporary ballet at Palais Garnier.  The seats were the cheap ones, but by no means undesirable.  The view was unhindered and the performance immensely enjoyable.  I recalled trying to find tickets to a ballet at the Kennedy Center several months ago and the only available seats were upwards of $80.  Here it's more like $30.  I was even able to visit the tower of Notre Dame de Paris free of charge as a student.

Come out of the metro and BAM: Palais Garnier

Spectacular views from Notre Dame de Paris - free for students

Visit Paris and see for yourself everything it offers.