Lunchtime in Paris

An idea for 2008 - cake and books "Let Them Eat Cake Extravaganza" part II

Here I am just fooling around as part of my "let them eat cake series".  Some time back I joined Librarything and I really just love it as a way to organize and keep order in my book collection (I am aemilys on the site). But it's also a part of my life and so I've been thinking about ways to blog food and books at the same time...

this is an experiment - so on your bedside table you have some books and a snack and perhaps it looks like this...

or perhaps like this

I'm wondering if this is a concept? The books were good, the cake was delicious...

Last lunch of 2007 - Paris "Let them Eat Cake" Extravaganza part I

I'm still feeling motivated and I think it may be in part due to the very kind Wildschwein who have actually nominated me as blog of the week on their site (this is my first ever nomination for anything, wow). 

So thanks very Wildschwein and since I know you are dreaming and saving for Paris here is some more inspiration for you...I hope you like it (and please remember it's only part I ), so -

Others may prefer the jewels of Place Vendome but for a foodie there is only one place for a window shopping  pilgrimage in Paris...

Place de la Madeleine - home of Ladurée  - look at that line to buy macarons...

And here, some truffles at Maison de la Truffe  (the truffle house)

This is such an artsy photo (check out my Alfred Hitchcock like cameo appearance) of Hediard and what a nice window display that is!

Fauchon is doing some fashionable cakes this season. I particularly like this disco one covered in silver leaf - is it edible?

They've also got some lovely canapés for your next fête.

Oh, and what's this? the Holy Grail, the Hope Diamond, giant king crab's legs on ice - perhaps I will win the lottery some day.

But, until that time comes I've still got Duthil (no site) in the neighborhood and they've some lovely cakes as well.



Three chocolate cakes.



First cake...



Inside the first cake - the little orange cookie like thing is a macaron - what you wait in line for at Ladurée.



Ok, now that we've been to Fauchon we know that silver is in and gold is out but this lovely litte neighborhood cake has gold...and it was delicious;



if a little blurry.



and here is the chocolate monument, very nice as well.

Anyway, that's it for today. I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year, lot's of good food, good friends, and good fortune!

Lunch at the Louvre (the only food court in France!)

I had a sudden urge to blog today and so I took my daughter to lunch at France's only food court. It is located in the Caroussel du Louvre (the little shopping mall under the pyramid). The entrance is practical too if you want to go to the museum, when there is a huge line in front of the pyramid you can go through the carrousel and save some time.

I used to go there a lot when I got homesick because it reminded me of the mall and it's family friendly too.

Here is my beautiful daughter waiting in line for some Lebanese food (and as you can see there is an Italian place just behind for pizza). Please all cross your fingers for her because she has an interview tomorrow for a summer job at Yellowstone!



And here is her 11.90 euros lunch consisting of chicken, stuffed grapeleaves, tomato and cucumber salad with mint, and a coca zero (this is the manly version of coca light which they happened to be out of).



I had a lamb tagine and a diet coke for 14.00 euros. The semoule was actually pretty good but then I forgot to take a picture of the food stand. It is called Marrakech something and has a palm tree on the sign.



I did however (completely accidentally) get a photo of this romantic couple. In the background you can see the famous Universal Burger and a place called Douce France where they sell French specialities.



We got crepes for desert. Mine was supposed to be a crepes suzette...where's the strawberry?



Many crepes to choose from.



My daughter more wisely chose the chocolate and banana crepe. You can have whipped cream as an extra for 1.10 euro.



Please note that the opening hours on the site are incorrect (it is not open until 11 pm any more). The new hours are confusing so I took a photo. On Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays they close at 9 pm. On Tuesdays they close at 5 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays they close at 10 pm and on Wednesdays they close at 10:30 pm.

Aside from the stuff you can see available in the photos there are Chinese, Sushi, Roast Chicken, Salad, and Spanish places too. The food is just ok but it's convenient, and good for people with picky kids. And, of course, it's the only food court in France.

I also have some very exciting news. After two years without an adventure I've reserved a Paris/Mumbai for August 2008. I'm finally going to go to India! where I will try to take many fabulous food photos. Hopefully I will blog again before then but if not please make sure to come back in September for my lowdown on Mumbai street food.