LaCarmencita's Profile
Macaroon questions
Well, to add to the inquiry - does anyone know of a shop in Paris that will ship to the U.S.?
Herme does not. These are the only ones (of the above mentioned) that I have tried and they were delicious. My favorite was the rose flavor, mmm.
Exotic Salt
Hello Again All,
I have been reading the board in terms of specialty gift items and I have seen a number of mentions about flavored salts. Have any of you tried any particularly good ones? I read something about tea flavored salt from Mariage Frères but would like your opinion. I saw one type at a cheese shop but the colors of the granules seemed garish and impossible. I am looking for something really lovely to bring back for friends. As always, thanks so much for your comments!
Texas Bar-BQ Joints Map Project
I totally second the City Market in Luling BUT you did not include the JbarB Sausage Co. Of course I understand because it is a tiny hole in the wall in Waelder, TX (you enter through a swinging saloon door at the back of a convenience store) but it is phenomenal. The moment that the waiter opens the smoker lid and the gray mesquite scented cloud rises to the ceiling your know that something precious is about to take place. I can not overstate the impact of their smoked sausage, the tenderness of their brisket. I speak as the daughter of a Waelder native, now resident of Paris, France. This is beautiful food. Please add it to your list. You will not be sorry for the incredible secret you have shared.
http://www.jbfoods.com/
Bringing Cheese Back
Hello All,
I am going to go back to the US for a visit and I would like to bring back the gift of French Cheese. You have been so kind as to give me your opinions as to what to try and where to get it. Now I am curious about your experiences with traveling with it. The US customs site is a little vague stating " Hard cured cheese such as parmesan or cheddar are generally admissible, soft cheeses such as brie and soft curd cheese and cheese in water (ricotta, feta, etc.) are not." Have you had any experience with the "generally" aspect? How should I best pack it? Are there some types that travel better than others? I head that some fromagiers will vacuum pack permissible cheeses. My best friend in the world is having a cheese tasting party on the day I get back and I would love to bring something good. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Best cheeses in Paris
Hello All,
I have been in Paris now for three months on a pauper's budget. It's been lovely but I have now decided that life is too short to eat blasé cheese. Can any of you recommend your favorite types of French cheese? I love all kinds. I recently had some lovely Picodon and then just last week discovered the Fourme d'Ambert- yum! Really I am just interested in any suggestions at all. Thanks in advance!
Paris on the cheep
There are a number of posts that give hints to the this persistent question but since I was just there tonight-- I have to say eat at L'As du Fallafel in the Marias. I had heard all sorts of hype about it and so I wanted to see how it measured up to the myth. It is really, really delicious. The fallafel was just as amazing as everyone keeps saying it is. The only thing is that the fries were kind of limp but the service was so great we hardly noticed. Our waiter was cheerful and friendly and didn't mind us just sitting while we waited for the rest of our party. My husband and I are planning on making this place a weekly stop.
Of course, try the many markets around town and also in the Marais is Crêperie Suzette on 24 rue des Francs Bourgeois. They have great crepes that you can pick up at the window. They are also very friendly.
Deux Magots, the Cafe Flore and the Brasserie Lipp
Well, yes Les Deux Magots is a really nice room but I was just there about a week ago on a weekday afternoon and it was, well, really anticlimactic. The room was very crowded and the service was terse, no actually just plain rude. We were sandwiched between the wall and a table of fur clad ladies on a shopping spree. We had tea and requested a carafe of water which we never got. The bill came soon after we sat down and the waiter whispered something like "put away your books." It was loud, cramped and a far cry from the pensive ambiance conducive to thought and conversation that we were hoping for. Sad.
Box Wine
Ok, so some of you might want to have drawn and quartered for asking but does anyone have any experience with box wines in France, Paris in particular? Several people have mentioned to me that the box wine is worth trying but I am afraid, very afraid. Any suggestions?
Vietnamese in Paris
I just moved to Paris and had dinner last night in the 20th off the Belleville metro stop. My husband and I ate at Tin Tin Vietnamese Restaurant. It was crowded and we were hungry and it was quite cold so we decided to stop. It was only ok. The service was prompt and friendly but the peanut sauce was syrupy and the spring rolls were leathery. I probably wouldn't go back. I am originally from Houston, TX, a city which has fabulous Vietnamese restaurants, so perhaps I am a little spoiled nevertheless, I am taking Tin Tin off the list. The only real perk is that it was cheap: 20 euro for one appetizer, two Bun bowls and tea for two. There were several other options in the area including one directly across the street. I will report back as I discover more.
