Barbra Austin

I will admit that I was nervous when we walked into Le Cotte-Rôti last weekend and found the place barely half full. Had I only imagined that it was so good last spring? Had there maybe been a drop in quality since my previous visits? Was I crazy?

No, no, and no.

If carnation pink was your favorite color of the Crayola 64, then Pâtisserie des Rêves may very well be the pastry shop of your dreams.

Fresh figs rate among my very favorite fruits, and they show up at the best time of year, when summer produce is having its last hurrah and fall’s firmer fruits are showing up.

There were many things to love about this meal, three of them being the ventrèche, jambon de Bayonne, and filet mignon that made up the plate of Basque charcuterie we started with.

I would like to dedicate this photo to every Parisian cashier who has ever given anyone a hard time for not having exact change.

Don’t worry, we didn’t actually start singing.

Generally, when fruit is as beautiful as this collection of late summer jewels, I hesitate to manipulate it in any way.

We almost didn’t order dessert the other night at Bistrot Paul Bert.

If you’re like me, then when you hear the word “gazpacho” you probably start seeing red.

Confession: I bought this Croissant Ispahan at Pierre Hermé this morning because I thought it was pretty.