it was grey and rainy and green

Paris makes for a wonderful escape, but you already know that. I left Zach in Zürich and made the jaunt solo. I visited with my friend Tala at night and spent the days wandering around the city eating bread and pastries. My when-in-Paris attitude led me to a lot of pastry shops and a lot of delicious food. Generally if I saw a line outside a boulangerie or patisserie I waited, eyed what the people ahead of me ordered, and ordered the same thing. At one point I think I had two baguettes in my purse, both with ends missing, seven madeleines and four financiers.

This photo is my favorite. I think it captures the I'll-have-what-your-having theme perfectly.

Here are the highlights, and yes, I know, they are mostly food related.

- blé sucré really does make the best Madeleines 

- You can make them by following along with pastry chef Fabrice Le Bourdat

- Take note that there is 410g of butter in only 24 Madeleines. Wow. 

- If that seems excessive follow this recipe - It was inspired by the real thing, but only uses 120g

- I surprised myself here by trying foie gras mousse with rhubarb and strawberry and loving it. 

- My friend Tala bought Frenchie's new cookbook and had him sign it. Now I just need her to translate the recipe for the chocolate pot de creme with passion fruit and caramel. 

- This chocolate eclair made the torrential rain feel like a summer sprinkle. 

- When I wasn't eating eclairs to escape the rain, I hunkered down with a syphon coffee at Coutume Cafe and an espresso and a borrowed book at Merce and the Muse

- We ate an amazingly satisfying lunch at Cafe de la Croix-Rouge. Poilane bread, toasted and buttered, topped with thinly sliced roast beef and served with a side salad - tartine heaven.

- Verjus wine bar has a killer bar menu - there's nothing like tucking into a cave-like spot for some buttermilk fried chicken after wandering around eating Madeleines in the rain. 

- The Luxembourg Gardens - likely Zach's favorite spot in Paris and I can see why.