We really didn't want to come home, it was perfect in Paris. The sun shone, the wine flowed and the food - well, the food was an experience. One of the things I love so much about the French is their innate appreciation for food and drink. Such care and importance is attached to eating, from the quickest snack to a celebratory dinner. Great thought and effort is put forth and therefore great satisfaction is guaranteed. If there is one thing I hope to bring home with me, it is that appreciation, that the process of making and the effort it takes is SO worth the result.
Here are a selection of delights we enjoyed.
A succulent lamb dish
A perfect poached pear
A beautiful lemon tart
A magical restaurant
Ina Garten has long been a culinary hero of mine and after reading her "Barefoot in Paris" and her reference to Dehillerin, the celebrated cookware store, I promised myself if I was ever there I would pay a visit.
I left the family happily splashing in the pool, jumped in a cab and headed across town. I gazed mesmerized at the display of copper pots and pans gleaming in the windows.
This was no pretty wrapped up in tissue paper Williams Sonoma store. This was the Home Depot of culinary stores. This was a real "slaving over a hot stove" cooking store. They had EVERYTHING you could possibly imagine - and more. I poured over the countless utensils I had never seen before.
The store was buzzing. After a couple of laps upstairs and down it was all too much. I felt like a toddler in Toys R Us. I removed myself as fast as possible to the brasserie across the road and ordered an expresso. When my heart rate had returned to normal, I realized that I needed to go home with a small copper pot. I didn't possess anything copper and after all it was SO French! Another couple of laps around the store and I found my treasure, the sweetest little copper pan that now happily sits on my stove.
We walked for miles, everywhere there were beautiful bakeries, grocers and butchers right in the heart of Paris.
An enchanting candy shop
The fishmonger
Paris was an education and a delight.
Just stumbled upon your blog and am drooling over the Parisian "Home Depot of culinary stores"! Congrats on finding the perfect copper pot. (As I was reading I was thinking, I HOPE she bought something!) ;-) Your trip sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun, beautiful wrap up of Paris! I loved seeing all these pictures. And you have left England and I'm getting ready to go next week! My daughter lives in London and I will be there visiting her for two weeks - too bad our paths didn't cross :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Mary, your post is wonderful! Thank you for taking me back to Paris with all your great photos. I bought a copper pot in Dehillerin's too. It is the perfect souvenir from a fabulous city. I couldn't go to Paris without visiting that amazing store. I think "Barefoot in Paris" is Ina's best book.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm and the presentation of the food as well....... Diane
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Diane!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to leave Paris either, it looks like you had such a great time. I've never been, but am hoping to make a trip soon! All of the food you ate looks delicious. And I'm sure I would have felt the same way in that cook store. I think you made a great choice with the copper pot!
ReplyDeleteThe poached pear looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Paris too, we were there last December, it is only 4 hours on the TGV for us, so not too long. I LOVE your post and what memories you now have, as well as that copper pan!
ReplyDeleteGREAT post!
Karen
I am sure I am not alone in being grateful to see some of the magical things from your Paris sojourn. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, a trip to Europe might be justified by a single visit (or 6) to that amazing store. Wow.
ReplyDeleteAll of this looks amazing. I'm so happy for you that you were able to enjoy such a wonderful trip!
wow, such beautiful shops,, they sure do know how to do it right up to the nines don't they,, I would love to have these shops,, we have a few speciality shops but not enough.Thankyou for sharing these beautiful photos, will you return,, stupid question I'm sure,
ReplyDeleteOh I just want to kiss your little copper pot and welcome it to your family! I'll bet it was so exciting to make that final choice in that massive store. I love that you had to go across the street and have a little "time out" before returning inside. Every time I see photos from someone's trip to Paris, my heart just beats a little bit faster. If you have time, find Rue Cler and wander up and down...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I love them all!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful food and shops! I would of been a bit overwhelmed in that store too. Your copper pot is darling!
ReplyDeletePrecisely why I want, MUST, go to Paris. I wonder if I could talk the Toddster into it . . . hmmmm....
ReplyDeleteJust breathtaking. I so want to go to Paris someday but now after seeing your pictures I feel like I was there in some way! Thanks for that and so glad you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a trip Mary! I too would have been like a kid at ToysRUs in that kitchen store. I mean it doesn't look like it could get any better than that! It might be hard to get me to leave (or at least get me to leave with my credit still in tact). ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, what a holiday!!! Love the tour of Dehilerins...now I know I'll need to visit there, too! Have a lovely weekend~
ReplyDeletei hope i would be able to visit paris some day. That store looks awesome, i would probably spend hours there!
ReplyDeleteI love love love Paris! And now I have a new reason return since I have never been to that fabulous Dehillerin shop! lol... Sounds like you had a wonderful time :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great holiday! And, you found your perfect little copper pot.
ReplyDeleteI like it!
Your photo of Lemon Tart has me drooling and I'm going to make some very soon... :-)