English Speaking Spots in Paris, Part 2: Broken Biscuits

This post is the second installment of my "English Speaking Spots in Paris" series.

Broken Biscuits

I found Broken Biscuits one fateful day after visiting the Pere Lachaise cemetery.  The storefront is tiny and there is only space for 2 or 3 people to sit inside, so I almost passed it by. The shop is located in a passage with few or no cars, so there are usually two tables outside in the road where you can enjoy your delicious pastry and coffee.  Sitting at a tiny blue table with a cup of something warm and a lovely bite to eat in a cobbled alley with a view of a florist shop is altogether Parisian.  At least, the Paris that people from the New World dream about.

Cafe Creme and Cheesecake

The pastry case at this place is impressive.  In it you will find classic French offerings, re-done favorites, and even British inspired treats.  At the counter, a pile of golden madeleines will entice you while the friendly staff makes your coffee.

It is obvious that a huge amount of care goes into the food and drinks produced in Broken Biscuits.  So, treat yourself to a delicious and gorgeous experience there as soon as possible.

Details

Eats range from 2-15€

Drinks from 4-6€

Address:
10 Passage Rochebrune, 75011 Paris

Metro: Rue St. Maur, Pere Lachaise

Hours:
Monday/Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday-Friday:

8:30AM-6PM

Saturday/Sunday:

10AM-7PM

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English Speaking Spots in Paris, Part 1: Boneshaker

I know it can be anxiety inducing to visit a country where they don't speak your language.  Of course, in Paris most people have some level of English and you should really try to speak in French when you visit, but it can be sort of fun to visit a cute cafe where you hear the proprietors speaking multiple languages behind the counter.  

For your convenience, I've compiled a list of my favorite French/English speaking spots in Paris. This is the first installment.

Boneshaker 


This is a doughnut shop.  In the light of this fact, perhaps you can understand why it is the subject of my first "English Speaking Spots in Paris" series.  Doughnuts are one of my absolute favorite foods.  This is pretty much the only place I've been able to find in Paris with real doughnuts.

Boneshaker is a tiny gem in the heart of a fun neighborhood in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris.  The storefront features a display of doughnuts, bicycle decor, and the window seats have a view of the lingerie shop across the street.  The kitchen upstairs is the birthplace of irresistible doughnuts, brownies, and more.

Boneshaker Paris

The Interior

Menu

Raspberry-Lime

Salted Butter Caramel

Chocolate Cardamom

Peanut Butter Banana, Cherry Pie, S'Mores, Beer Glazed

"Martha Washington" aka Cherry Pie

S'mores

House Made Lemonade

Organic Teas

As you will be able to tell from the photos you just scrolled through, I have enjoyed Boneshaker's doughnuts on multiple occasions.  There is often a new seasonal flavor to try which makes frequent visits necessary for an addict like me.  

Try any flavor of doughnut; you won't be disappointed.  Rumor has it that Saturday is cinnamon roll day, so it can't hurt to head over then.

Thank you for making Paris an even happier place, Boneshaker!

Details

Eats range from 4-5€

Drinks from 3-5€

Address:
77 Rue d'Aboukir, 75002 Paris

Metro: Sentier, 

RER: Chatelet/Les Halles

Hours:
Tuesday-Friday
10AM-5PM
Saturday
10AM-6PM

Phone: +33 01 45 08 84 02

Email:
bonjour@boneshakerparis.com

Website:
http://www.boneshakerparis.com/

Je Suis Parisienne and Other Lies

Lie 1: Je suis Parisienne

It's not that I truly think I'm Parisian.  I mean, maybe a little.  But, each time I successfully give directions, am able to carry out a food order entirely in French, or have a baguette poking out of my bag I feel like I belong here. Plus, I love cheese; it's pretty Parisian to love cheese.

Aside from that, there are ways that I will always be American.  I continually pronounce English words like an American instead of like a French person.  For example, the word "bagel" is pronounced more like "bagelle" by French people.  I'm sorry, but it's an English word and I can't bring myself to mispronounce it.

Lie 2: Expensive is better

The crêpe in the next photo was delicious and cost me 3€.  The crêpe in the following photo cost 4€ and tasted far worse.  

This guy was made lovingly by Patricia, the woman who runs the crêpe place at the market.  It is made with buckwheat flour, cheese, butter, eggs, and ham.  

This guy, on the other hand, was more expensive and made at a busy crêperie near Centre Pompidou.  It was not made with the buckwheat flour which is traditional for a savory crêpe.  It was over-filled and not folded in that lovely way that Patricia has.  

Lie 3: There is no good Mexican food in Paris

So maybe I still haven't sipped a great margarita yet in Paris, but it is possible to find decent Mexican food here.  

Lie 4: It is possible to overdose on viennoiserie

It's simply not true.

Arguably the best croissant in Paris

Bocamexa

Quick Mexican food and drinks.
Two restaurants and one food truck.

http://www.bocamexa.com/
95 Rue Oberkampf, 75011 Paris
127 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris

Gontran Cherrier

The best and most beautiful croissant I've enjoyed.

http://www.gontrancherrierboulanger.com/
22 Rue Caulaincourt, 75018 Paris
8 Rue Juliette Lamber, 75017 Paris
1 Rue Grande Fontaine, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Dominique Saibron

Big, busy bakery where you can
watch the boulanger work through the window.

http://dominique-saibron.com/en/home/
77 Avenue du Général Leclerc, 75014 Paris

A Taste of Berlin, Part 1

It was a foggy weekend in Berlin.  A 13 hour bus ride from Paris meant that upon arrival it was necessary to immediately begin the search for sustenance.  On a Saturday morning in February, the streets of Berlin  are empty.   And if you walk in the opposite direction that you are supposed to, it might be difficult to find a living soul to ask for directions.  When you do find someone, however, they will likely be quite helpful.  Assuming the directions you get are correct, you will find the bakery you seek.

Kaedtler Bäckerai 

Kaedtler is a Jewish bakery that is only open until noon on Saturdays, so we got there 20  minutes before closing time.  The shopkeeper was sweeping and the cases were mostly empty.  She was very helpful, pointing out what was left to sell behind the counter.  We ended up with 2 pieces of cheesecake, 2 Hamentaschen, 1 Mandelecke and 1 chocolate-rum-ball.  The total somehow came out to 6€, which made me sure that the shopkeeper gave us a few things for free, seeing as it was closing time.  

The Mandelecke, an almond cookie dipped in chocolate, was slightly sticky and delicious.  A great balance of sweetness.  The cheesecake with mandarin oranges had a nice texture and good flavor.  The one with cherries was also yummy, but the cherries overpowered the flavor of the cream cheese just a bit.  The pastry on the bottom of both cheesecakes was a little soggy and had sort of an off-flavor.  The Hamentaschen were filled with jam and delicious in a simple way while the chocolate-rum-ball was too "rummy" and hard to eat because of the astringency.

  

Mogg

This is definitively the best pastrami I have eaten.  The flavor, texture, thickness of the slices...these people know what they're doing.  At Mogg, my boyfriend and I ordered a pot of mint tea, a reuben, a classic pastrami sandwich with coleslaw, and potato salad.  Each part of this meal was stellar.  Even the servers were helpful and friendly without being overly-attentive.  The atmosphere was one that made you feel like you were in the right place.