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Kitchen on the Road- Paris, Maria Loca and Much More (Part Deux)

September 24, 2013 by Renee

Friday was a fabulous day. After trying to convince a friend who lives in Paris that Lightroom was the way to go and giving them a quick tutorial I was treated to a lovely lunch at Café Pinson, a unique vegetarian restaurant where much of their offerings are also vegan and/or gluten-free. This is just one of a handful of such restaurants in Paris. Unlike NY where you can find a vegan and gluten-free spot on nearly every corner, gluten-free and vegan places are just beginning to become more popular in Paris. This bright and welcoming space features a menu that’s both inventive and tasty. It was almost as if I were in Brooklyn- except it was Paris.

I can only thank David for what came after lunch. Not only did he introduce me to the Jacques Genin store, which sells some of the city’s most divine chocolate, caramels and pâtes de fruits and where I savored (perhaps too many) mango-passion fruit caramels, but he also took me to an extraordinary spice shop and recommended an amazing spot for cocktails and weekend brunch.

The sleek, ultra modern interior of Jacques Genin feels more like a high-end jeweler rather than a confection shop and though it may feel pretentious and intimidating at first, the staff was warm, friendly, and more than happy to translate the flavors and make suggestions.

Each luxurious piece of caramel is wrapped in clear plastic and encased a melt in your mouth, buttery morsel that exuded its rich flavor with every nibble. I tried several different chocolate ones but the mango-passion fruit were so delicate and delightfully bright and fresh that it was love at first bite. And second. And third.

While a bit pricey, you can see the love and passion behind each tray of goodies- they are perfect- not only in the look, but in the way they taste. They are truly works of art and well worth the splurge.  You can purchase your treats in a clear plastic bag (pay by weight) or in a pretty box if you are so inclined as to be unselfish and to give them as a gift.  I took a bag to go and I’m afraid that I didn’t really share them.

Caramels

Confections 2

Thiercelin (Goumanyat & Son Royaume) is a beautiful spice emporium situated in an old apothecary shop. Run as a family business since 1809 they are especially known for their saffron, the shop’s signature product grown on their own farm in southern Iran.

As soon as you enter, you’ll see large jars filled with various spice mixtures and peppercorns at their “sniffing bar.”  Here you can take a whiff of mace, star anise, cloves and juniper berries, inhaling aromas so vibrant and complex that any spices you buy at the grocery store will now seem to be a poor, pale substitute.  The store boasts almost 200 different varieties of spices and plant extracts and is the place that Alain Ducasse, Joel Robuchon and other Michelin-starred chefs come to buy their rare spices.

They carry an amazing array of peppers, including white Malabar peppercorns from the Malabar region of Kerala, India, which are considered to be some of the best peppers in the world.

The proprietor really enjoys educating his customers too and even in the short time I was there, I learned quite a bit about the different varieties of peppers, spice mixtures and even the craft beer they sell. I inhaled so many glorious scents!

I picked up a bottle of the white peppercorns, a bottle of Ras el Hanout du Roy, a mix of more than twenty crushed flowers and spices that is used primarily in Moroccan cuisine and a bottle of the award winning dark Artesian beer, Bière de Brie Ambrée (http://www.biere-de-brie.com).  Just as we were leaving, the proprietor gave me a parting gift, a bottle of agar agar so I can make their recipe for panna cotta from the back of the bottle.  I’ll have to translate it soon!

I am kicking myself for not buying some of their saffron and for not taking photos of anything else in the store other than the beer, but that is a good reason to return!

Paris -0353

After parting ways with David, I met up with my friend Michael and we made our way towards O-Chateau for dinner.  But walking down the street, you know it is always exciting in Paris-Oh My! Hope no one was hurt.

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Continuing on to dinner….

This time we had made reservations and I was so happy that Olivier was there to greet us.  As always, dinner was fabulous and we had several glasses of delicious wine.

You really can not go wrong there. The filet is consistently perfect, melt in your mouth tender and incredibly flavorful. I never leave any left over! We also really enjoyed a plate of thinly sliced squid topped with a light salad. Then we each had dessert.  The profiteroles were light and airy and filled with a chocolate creme. My rose of pistachio and creme filled cake with raspberry ice cream was delicious and visually stunning.

O-Chateau1

O-Chateau 2

In case you were not aware, Olivier has a second book that was released this year- Into Wine: An Invitation to Pleasure, which makes learning about wine not only fun, but also unpretentious as Olivier’s enthusiastic sense of humor and personality shines throughout. If you don’t have a copy, I’d suggest you order it. It’s a quick, entertaining yet informative read. (Links to my Amazon Affiliate Shop where you can order your own copy.)

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We finished off the night with a stop to my friend Max’s bar- Maria Loca. This was the first time I had been there since it opened and it was the last night it was going to be open before they closed for the month. So I was very lucky to sneak it in. I am beyond blown away by how awesome this bar, no, cocktail lounge is.

Paris -9977

It was wonderful to catch up with Max (former sommelier at O-Chateau) and to see his vision come to fruition. He gave me a tour of the entire place and explained some ideas that he and his partners have for the future. I have no doubt they will make them all happen.

The decor is funky and casual, dimly lit at night with an array of exciting bottles housed in an assortment of wooden crates behind the shutter fronted bar. Featuring a different artist’s work on a rotating basis, the walls are lively and fun and offer a showcase for up and coming talent.  They also have regular jazz nights making this a cool, relaxing place to come hang out for a while.

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The kitchen is huge and puts out some seriously scrumptious tapas and small plates. Even though we had just finished dinner, we dug right in to the sliders, mini pizzas, shrimps, cheese and fruit. I definitely want to come back for a full eating event and to try many more of their creations including weekday lunch, but this night was just a preview. We were there for the cocktails. And wow! The Cocktails!

Michael Landart, who just competed in the Diplomatico World Tournament in Venezuela, is the cocktail creator extraordinaire at Maria Loca.  His concoctions are so inventive and feature unusual ingredients like balsamic vinegar reduction, Jamaican black pepper and Tonka beans. Surprising flavors alone but when paired with the right spirit and infused with one of the house made syrups, you are in for a pleasurable experience.

I tried the Rosé… mais pas trop! Made with Plantation 3 Rhum (3-Star rum), Citron vert (lime), Sirop de Canelle maison (cinnamon syrup), Baies roses (pink peppercorns), Pamplemousse (grapefruit) and Spanish Bitters. It was delectable. Tart and warming, and perfectly balanced.

My friend had the Jamaican Pearl, a mix of Appleton V/X Jamaican Rum, Citron (lemon), Mélasse d’Ananas (pineapple molasses), Poivre de Jamaique (Jamaican peppers) and Cherry Hering (cherry liqueur). His drink was also tangy with a bit of a bite but went down smooth.

Maria Loca

These were probably some of the best cocktails I have tried in a long while. Coupled with the atmosphere and the good food, I can see how Maria Loca is quickly becoming one of the hippest nightspots in Paris.

It was rather dim and I didn’t take very good photos here either… but that just means I have to go back again. And have a few more drinks.

Soon!

 

Here’s where we spent some of our day:

 

Cafe Pinson

6 rue du Forez
75003 Paris, France

 

Jacques Genin

133, rue de Turenne
75003 Paris

 

Thiercelin

Goumanyat & Son Royaume

3, rue Dupuis
75003 Paris

www.goumanyat.com

 

O-Chateau

68 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau
75001 Paris

 

Maria Loca

31, bd Henrie IV
75004 Paris

 

Filed Under: Drink, Travel, Beer, Cocktails, France, Wine Tagged With: Jacques Genin, Maria Loca, O-Chateau, Paris, Thiercelin, Travel

Kitchen On the Road- Sights of London, Tate Modern and The Prince Albert Pub

August 11, 2013 by Renee

I had a day of sightseeing in London, so me and about five million other tourists made our way to Buckingham Palace to see the infamous “Changing of the Guard”. I had no idea, really, just how many people there would be there. Not only was I no where near the gates, I was across the street, down the block and behind some rather tall people. However, my trusty Canon G12 in hand, I was able to at least get some shots worth keeping.

Changing of the guard 1

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The band was rather good. They played several modern day tunes including several from films and musicals and even some by Sir Elton John.

20130708-IMG_8974I even got a picture of the guy in front of me videotaping the festivities.

After the guard took their places and final people were moving away from the palace, I meandered down The Mall to the Horse Guard Parade.20130708-IMG_8989 20130708-IMG_9006 20130708-IMG_9025I do feel for these guys who stand so staunch while all the tourists pose with them. I wonder if they ever just want to crack a smile or make a weird face in the photos. I would.

Attack of the horsesThe funny thing is, when approaching from The Mall, you literally turn the corner right into the horses here. This little sign is on the far side of the archway and it would be a bit too late if you happened to walk smack into the horse. That’s British humor for you!

Crossing the bridge by the  Elizabeth Tower lends some lovely views. (It’s not called Big Ben- that is the bell of the clock in the tower formerly known as the Clock Tower. Trivia alert!)

Big Ben Clock Tower

But across the way, you can take Queen’s Walk all the way along the River Thames towards London Bridge and Tower Bridge passing the popular London Eye. It’s really a great way to see a lot of the city and take some some spectacular views and people watching.

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How’s this for urban gardening!?!  What a great way to use old windows and create raised beds.

Queens Walk Window Gardens

There is also some fun for the kids en route.

Walkway 2

These are some fun ads I couldn’t pass up. I can just hear the one on the right as the excuse to why one would play hooky from work.

Walkway signs

 

 

Three bridges, a boat and a train in a row!20130708-IMG_9364

I had made my way to the Tate Modern, which is free by the way, and had a look around. I love the MOMA here in NY and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, so I was hoping this would be of the same caliber. It wasn’t. I was a bit let down. But I did have a brilliant time watching life imitate art. Do you see it too?

Tate1 Tate2 Tate3 Tate4

And my favorite one-

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Could they be any more similar? Her bottoms match the bottom of the painting and the colors in her shirt match the top! Uncanny!

I loved the William Eggleston and Graciela Iturbide photography exhibits, along with several of the pieces of art held there, but for the most part, it just was not the best modern art museum I have been to.  But I can check it off the list now!

After this full day of sights I was famished! And who woudnt be after walking the entire length of the River Thames.  So I met friends for dinner. I suggested a “pub I found by a bridge”.

Turns out, my pub of choice, The Prince Albert Pub, is a gastro pub right at the foot of the Albert Bridge, one of the loveliest painted bridges in all of London!  It’s just opposite the Albert Gate entry to Battersea Park and across the bridge from the neighborhood of Chelsea (famous for Princess Di’s gym). Oh, and the food? Superb! Win!

We started with a zesty, fresh and cool gazpacho and a salad of mixed beans with salty, cracked olives and rocket We had the bone in strip steak which was melt in your mouth tender, peppery and topped with a sweet tomato salsa.  and there was also a thinly sliced duck breast served over a spicy watermelon salad with chilis and mint. The watermelon had been soaked in lime juice beforehand and it had the most refreshing flavor. Every now and then you’d get a zing from a chili but it was quickly calmed by the cold of the watermelon and the mint and duck combination. I want to recreate this dish for certain. It was so good!

Of course dinner wouldn’t be complete without dessert. A warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and creme brulee is always a good standard dessert. You really can’t go wrong with that!

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Prince Albert 1 Prince Albert 2 Prince Albert 3 Prince Albert 4

  The best part about eating such a good meal? The walk over the bridge afterwards.

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Goodnight London.

 

 

The Prince Albert Pub

85 Albert Bridge Road, Battersea,
London SW11 4PF
020 7228 0923

M-F 12-3pm and 6-10pm

Sa 12-4pm and 6-10pm

Su 12-4pm and 6-9pm

You can book online or call for reservations- walk-ins are welcome too.

Filed Under: Eat, Drink, Travel, Beer, England Tagged With: England, London, Prince Albert Pub, Travel, UK

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