Culinary Muse

Summer in the City

I realize that the rest of the country is sizzling, so it may be a bit unfair to flaunt our lovely, cool, SF summer fog. But flaunt it, I must. My new morning walk takes me down the hill, through Chinatown, across Broadway, a brief stop at Caffe Trieste for cappuccino, along Grant, another brief stop at the French American Bakery for an anise biscotti and then up the hill to Coit Tower. If I am there early, it is just a few ladies practicing Tai Chi and me. Any later than 9:45, and I am joined by lots of tourists, mainly from Germany or France. Weak $ = more tourists. Good for them, and us (at home).

Why Paris?

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary “the word ‘serendipity’ comes from the title of a fairy tale in which the heroes were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of.” I suggest that these were things that they consciously were not in quest of – yet. At least that is how serendipity works in my life. A chance meeting of an old acquaintance in a café leads to an introduction to someone who changes my life.  This time around it was my plan to stay at my favorite hotel in Paris that was dashed when I discovered that it was booked for the next six months. I agonized. Then sanity prevailed and I realized that there must be a reason for this disruption of my grand plan.  Perhaps there was another hotel or neighborhood that I was meant to explore? No room at the inn in the bohemian Latin Quarter led me to a quieter way of life in this 7^th arrondisement.  It is a neighborhood of high walls, narrow streets and the Eiffel Tower. I find it welcoming, comfortable and understated.  And for the first time ever, I am renting an apartment. Apartment advantages: more room, a kitchen to prepare a few meals, a washing machine.  Disadvantage: no maid service so it feels ever so slightly less like a real vacation when I am washing dishes and towels.

But back to serendipity and why I am here. I have returned to Paris to spend time in a place that occupies my imagination at least 50% of every day and to discover why. Serendipity guided me to a new neighborhood to discover the restaurant Chez L'Ami Jean (my next door neighbor), Le Chocolat par Michel Chaudun (two steps to the right) and Jean Millet Patisserie - 103 rue Saint Dominique -  for morning croissant et un grand crème (ten steps to the left). So far, so good.

Halloween In Paris?http://www.karlettamoniz.com/KARLETTA_MONIZ/HOME/Entries/2010/10/31_Paris__Halloween.html

Paris, Chocolate and more...

Follow me on Karletta Moniz as I explore Paris through a chocolate colored haze. Tonight I am off to La Soirée D'Inauguration for the 16th Salon du Chocolat. Looking forward to meeting the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, as well as the creators of the Salon, Sylvie Douce and François Jeantet. 

AMANO ARTISAN CHOCOLATE 'GUESS THE ORIGIN' CONTEST

  Okay, all you chocolate connoisseurs, the time has come to put your vast chocolate experience to the ultimate test.  Guess the origin of the cocoa beans that Amano Artisan Chocolate Amano Artisan Chocolate used to create their new chocolate bar and you will win a ‘one year’s supply’ of Amano Chocolate?  How much is that? Ten bars per month for a year, over $800 of chocolate.  And not just any chocolate, my friends. Some of the finest chocolate made.

Just take one look at the picture of the cocoa beans and you can already imagine the deep, rich chocolate flavor with hints of fruit.  Good luck, dear readers.  Make me proud! Contest details here.