the city of love.
the city of french baguettes, french poodles* and the Eiffel Tower.
*Truth be told, I didn't see ANY french poodles in Paris :)
Definitely a city that should be in your "TOP 10 CITIES TO VISIT-before-I-grow-saggy-tits-and-flabby-skins" list. I've been fortunate enough to have visited this beautiful city twice and both times: a completely different and new experience.
A few years ago, if I went to Paris and spoke English I would be subject to blatant rudeness and outright rejection. I remember that there was even a time where a ticket person for the Eiffel Tower refused to sell us tickets because we didn't speak french! Nonchalantly, she just shut her till, moved to a new cashier and opened shop there... yup, you read right!
Now it's been 5 years since my day as a young high school student and things have absolutely changed: waiters and salespersons speak english, they don't even get touchy* when you tell them that you don't speak their language. Once in a while though, do expect a rude wakening... 5 years isn't really a long time...
*When I say touchy, I mean: the "OH-MY-GOD! YOU VILE THING" expression on their faces when you say that forbidden statement "sorry, I don't speak french"
As for me, I absolutely adored it: the language, the shopping, the SALE, the food (PASTRY!!), every-single-friggin-thing!! Even down to the typical commercialised tourism you get when you go to the ever popular touristy places. Why? Simply because there's always something to experience!
.Sidewalks packed with illegal immigrants selling goods, among them: key chains, eiffel tower replicas,
even grilled corn cooked from a huge dented paint tins atop of a stolen shopping cart.
In this particular trip, I was amused by the sights of illegal immigrants hoarding the sidewalks of the Eiffel tower, selling pre-made souvenirs for easy cash. I thought it was odd because all these items were placed on top of square rags with ropes tied tightly to the corners. It wasn't long until I found out why: a policeman came walking by to help a small lost child and immediately, these sellers were on the get-ready-to-scram pose with the corners of the rags all scooped up to make an easy get away carrier for their items... just in case the police turned to chase after them.
Amusingly odd, no?
During my trip to Paris, the one thing I've noticed was the sudden popular growth of macarons!! Oh man! I've tried making these at home and je detest, absolutement. It was most definitely the most challenging thing I've tried to make in the kitchen.
Then I came across this cafe...
Macaron-pornography to the max! I dream to work in a place like this! While dad and l'oncle 'brahim went to check out some guy tech-stuff, mom and I decided to go for a sneaky quick trip into the boutique store... the queue inside was INSANE! Small macarons were sold for 3 or 5 euros each whilst the big ones were 8euros (I think?) Crazy right?! They have an immense collection of macarons, you can check out what they offer here: LaDuree.
I managed to sneak in a quick photo before being politely told off by one of the staff and I mumbled my apologies in french. hehehe. I couldn't resist! I think the cafe was gorgeous!!
I've tried a few macarons back when I was in Brunei from Fleur-de-lys but I have to say, I was quite put off by the whole thing due to its tooth-aching sweetness. And no wonder why, if you look up the recipe for it, the icing sugar used is super-duper insane! Paris was a pleasant surprise because when I tried to macarons here, they were to-die-for: texture, taste, smell... everything and the best part is: they weren't sweet at all!!
.When in Rome do as the Romans do, so when in Paris.... : At Fouquet's "
.the price definitely reflects the quality of your coffee: are you willing to pay 9euros for coffee? :).
They say: when in rome, do as the romans do... so now that we were in Paris... what else was to be done but go for a nice coffee? :) Dad ordered the patisserie du maison and boy, oh, boy was that one heck of a dessert! I love how the french make their desserts without it being overwhelming sweet...
.cafe viennois: coffee with whipped cream.
.la patisserie du maison: gateau bombe au chocolat.
The quick weekend trip to Paris was refreshing and I was inspired to create something in the kitchen. Parisian-inspired cupcake? I wonder how that would go in terms of flavours and designs. Any thoughts?
I have yet to figure out what Parisian-inspired cupcake I can come up with... until then, I've been busying myself with french chocolates! Particularly inspired by the bombe au chocolat Dad ordered from one of the cafes... when I got back, I decided on making my own version! More on this on the next post! :)
the city of french baguettes, french poodles* and the Eiffel Tower.
*Truth be told, I didn't see ANY french poodles in Paris :)
Definitely a city that should be in your "TOP 10 CITIES TO VISIT-before-I-grow-saggy-tits-and-flabby-skins" list. I've been fortunate enough to have visited this beautiful city twice and both times: a completely different and new experience.
A few years ago, if I went to Paris and spoke English I would be subject to blatant rudeness and outright rejection. I remember that there was even a time where a ticket person for the Eiffel Tower refused to sell us tickets because we didn't speak french! Nonchalantly, she just shut her till, moved to a new cashier and opened shop there... yup, you read right!
Now it's been 5 years since my day as a young high school student and things have absolutely changed: waiters and salespersons speak english, they don't even get touchy* when you tell them that you don't speak their language. Once in a while though, do expect a rude wakening... 5 years isn't really a long time...
*When I say touchy, I mean: the "OH-MY-GOD! YOU VILE THING" expression on their faces when you say that forbidden statement "sorry, I don't speak french"
As for me, I absolutely adored it: the language, the shopping, the SALE, the food (PASTRY!!), every-single-friggin-thing!! Even down to the typical commercialised tourism you get when you go to the ever popular touristy places. Why? Simply because there's always something to experience!
.Sidewalks packed with illegal immigrants selling goods, among them: key chains, eiffel tower replicas,
even grilled corn cooked from a huge dented paint tins atop of a stolen shopping cart.
Amusingly odd, no?
During my trip to Paris, the one thing I've noticed was the sudden popular growth of macarons!! Oh man! I've tried making these at home and je detest, absolutement. It was most definitely the most challenging thing I've tried to make in the kitchen.
Then I came across this cafe...
Oh. My. God.
Macaron-pornography to the max! I dream to work in a place like this! While dad and l'oncle 'brahim went to check out some guy tech-stuff, mom and I decided to go for a sneaky quick trip into the boutique store... the queue inside was INSANE! Small macarons were sold for 3 or 5 euros each whilst the big ones were 8euros (I think?) Crazy right?! They have an immense collection of macarons, you can check out what they offer here: LaDuree.
I managed to sneak in a quick photo before being politely told off by one of the staff and I mumbled my apologies in french. hehehe. I couldn't resist! I think the cafe was gorgeous!!
I've tried a few macarons back when I was in Brunei from Fleur-de-lys but I have to say, I was quite put off by the whole thing due to its tooth-aching sweetness. And no wonder why, if you look up the recipe for it, the icing sugar used is super-duper insane! Paris was a pleasant surprise because when I tried to macarons here, they were to-die-for: texture, taste, smell... everything and the best part is: they weren't sweet at all!!
.When in Rome do as the Romans do, so when in Paris.... : At Fouquet's "
.the price definitely reflects the quality of your coffee: are you willing to pay 9euros for coffee? :).
They say: when in rome, do as the romans do... so now that we were in Paris... what else was to be done but go for a nice coffee? :) Dad ordered the patisserie du maison and boy, oh, boy was that one heck of a dessert! I love how the french make their desserts without it being overwhelming sweet...
.cafe viennois: coffee with whipped cream.
.la patisserie du maison: gateau bombe au chocolat.
The quick weekend trip to Paris was refreshing and I was inspired to create something in the kitchen. Parisian-inspired cupcake? I wonder how that would go in terms of flavours and designs. Any thoughts?
I have yet to figure out what Parisian-inspired cupcake I can come up with... until then, I've been busying myself with french chocolates! Particularly inspired by the bombe au chocolat Dad ordered from one of the cafes... when I got back, I decided on making my own version! More on this on the next post! :)
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