A Fork And A Suitcase

Paris, a fashion capital, is well known as a shopping paradise which offers something for everyone.  There is an abundance of super high-end boutiques and haute couture stores, but Paris also offers plenty of affordable, more down-to-earth choices. For the very high-end stores like Dior,  Chanel, YSL, Gucci and such, Avenue Montaigne is the place to shop, and follow it with a lunch at Plaza Athenee.  Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore and its second part, rue Saint Honore, are dotted with one beautiful shop after another; a mix of reasonable priced and expensive, Hermes #24, Chanel #21, Goyard #233, Tara Jarmon #400,  Cotelac #284, and Comptoir des Cotoniers #342. A few notes about shopping in Paris.  It's always good to make an effort to greet the salesperson in French, they will try to help out even if their English is not great. I find that a lot of the department stores and small boutiques for that matter, are not air conditioned.  They can occasionally ...

While occasionally I treat myself to something very special, the biggest joy I get is from bringing home something delicious from Paris.  If I were not limited by the airlines, I would haul home a disturbing amount of treats, spices, breads, teas, and trinkets.  Here are some of my favorite things that weigh down my suitcases: Madeleines from Ble Sucre All sorts of creams and lotions from City Pharma Jellies and caramels from Jacques Genin These sardines in Bordier butter are heavenly.  As I was paying for them, the cashier at Le Bon Marche told me to sauté them a bit in a pan and enjoy with a nice baguette.  This is one of my favorite snacks. I can't hide the fact that I am a huge fan of Monsieur Bordier.  This caramel sauce is wonderful on pieces of apples, or smeared on a crepe. Delicious chocolate from Alain Ducasse A box of chocolates from Patrick Roger for my husband. A few slices of Poilane bread along with ...