G. Detou: A Must-Stop Shop for Pastry Chefs

G Detou 3

Paris is heaven for both amateur and professional patissiers (pastry chefs and bakers). Not only are there numerous world-class pastry shops (patisseries) to try, but there are several culinary supply stores that are simply unsurpassed in their collections of baking equipment and supplies. For pastry chefs looking for the highest-quality or the most unusual ingredients, the boutique of choice is G. Detou. The shop’s name is a homonym for the French term “I have everything”—j’ai de tout. And the place does seem to have it all. If you can’t find it here, you won’t be able to find it in all of Paris. Continue Reading →

Marais Institution Makes Europe’s Best Falafel

L'as du Falafel 3

If you’ve ever visited the Marais—specifically the Jewish neighborhood along the Rue des Rosiers—you’ve undoubtedly seen the long lines at Middle Eastern restaurant L’As du Fallafel. And virtually everyone orders the falafel pita—deep-fried balls of ground chickpeas seasoned with garlic and other spices and covered with fried eggplant, pickled red cabbage, hummus, hot sauce, cucumbers and tahini. This house specialty even led to the restaurant’s slogan “Toujours imite, jamais egale (Always imitated, never equaled)”—and draws raves from both locals and tourists who say the falafel is the best in Europe. Continue Reading →

Sunday on the Rue des Rosiers

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Paris’s Marais district is home to the city’s LGBT community. But it’s also home to the city’s Jewish community, and the Rue des Rosiers lies at the heart of it. The four-block-long street has a number of fantastic Jewish bakeries, restaurants and curio shops, but, sadly, like much of Paris has fallen prey to the influx of clothing boutiques and even some chain fashion shops. Still, the area is well worth a visit, especially on Sundays, when most of the rest of Paris is closed, but the shops on the Rue des Rosiers are open (and jam packed!) And be sure to try the falafel at L’As du Fallafel, arguable the best in Europe! Continue Reading →