Barbra Austin

Back in July I had a dessert at Vivant that I still think about: A slippery peach, juicy and fragrant, served well by a dollop of lightened mascarpone and crushed almonds. When I told Pierre Jancou how much I liked it, he immediately and ardently deflected all credit to the fruit, the grower, and the location of the orchard. I probably blushed.

I’m on the road now (more on that soon) but here are a few stand-out meals I’ve had recently in Paris.

I’m just going to get this out in the open before I lose the courage to say it: Pascal Guerreau’s mille-feuille at Tholoniat rivals the one at Jacques Genin.

I feel like I’m at risk for becoming one of those people who never leaves her neighborhood; who, to the great annoyance of friends, only agrees to do things within walking distance.

This is very exciting.

Homemade salsa, freshly mashed guacamole, agua fresca, handmade tortillas… It almost brings a tear to my eye, and not because the salsa is honestly hot.

Le Verre Volé, a favorite address of mine, has undergone some renovations.

The words “cuisine factory” are written on the façade of Café Tolo, which seems odd considering that it is a small place doing something close to home cooking.

Natural wines and simple food served in a quirky space by handsome hipsters is the formula for many popular bars à vins in Paris.

I went to the Marché St. Quentin today, and this is what greeted me at the door:

(If you are particularly fond of our four-legged or fine-feathered friends, you may not want to see these photos.)

In Paris, there’s really no need to travel far for bread. But that doesn’t mean there’s not bread that’s worth a trip.