Paris Day Two: Pastry in the Rain, and a Friend Reunion

February 13, 2015February 13, 2015 / beccalev / Leave a comment

Not the best of weather, but better than the snow storm I was leaving behind. And plus, it’s Paris. Weather does not get in the way of any of the beauty (or food).

Izzy and I started off our day with breakfast at her host family’s apartment. Izzy successfully got a photo of our delicious goodness, and I truly appreciate the effort and kindness her host family had sharing their bread, butter, jam and Nespresso machine with me. Breakfast was always delicious.

After our usual Parisian breakfast, we headed into the streets, walking from the Pantheon to the Bon Marché. By the time we got there, it was time for more coffee (not surprising). And where else is there near the Bon Marché to go for coffee? No place but Coutume Café. As warm and lovely as I remembered (and filled with more French people than any other stop), Coutume Café never disappoints. Though we didn’t partake over my visit, their brunch looked amazing for those craving scrambled eggs and bacon in Paris.

Coffee made strolling through the Bon Marché possible, given my ever-present jetlag, so on we strolled. Until we got hungry 🙂

But not for lunch food. Just pastry. And not just any pastry. The pastry of dreams (La Patisserie des Rêves). The ultimate decadence: caramelized cream puffs paired with whipped cream, nestled on a vanilla pastry cream topped pastry, otherwise known as a Saint Honoré.

Thoroughly satisfied, with sticky fingers and scarves full of crumbs, we continued our wander into the 7th. We discovered Izzy has a favorite bridge: Pont Alexandre III. And naturally, we walked onto the Champs Elysée and saw the ever-beautiful Arc de Triomphe.

After that, it was one straight shot to the Bastille. One hour walk, straight shot. I was reunited with my partner in crime when I had been abroad and now full blown Parisian goddess.

She introduced me to Café de l’Industrie, and along with her great friend, we shared a fantastic French meal. Totally delicious (I naturally picked Confit de Canard), and so so great to be reunited and introduced in the same meal. A fantastic evening.

Addresses:

Coutume Café

47 Rue de Babylone, 7th Arrondissement

La Patisserie des Rêves

93 Rue du Bac, 7th Arrondissement

Café de L’Industrie

16 Rue Saint-Sabin, 11th Arrondissement

Paris Day One: Musee D’Orsay, Croissants, Coffee and Ramen

February 13, 2015February 13, 2015 / beccalev / Leave a comment

Hello again! It’s been a while, but going back to Paris has gotten me bitten by the blog bug. Thought I would update this with my newest hits from my trip!

A bit of background: I studied abroad in Paris three years ago, and now my sister is taking her turn abroad. I was lucky enough to get a great deal on tickets to Paris (and a free place to stay, with my sister) so I was able to go to Paris and spending all of my money on food 🙂

Day one was all about jetlag, so I had probably 6 coffees that day. Top coffees of the day: Broken Arm and Craft Coffee. Both part of the “hipster coffee” movement in Paris, their brew and preparation of coffee were both excellent, and their calm atmosphere (while aimed at anglophones) were incredibly lovely.

First stop: the Musée d’Orsay. This has always been in my top 3 museums, and being back did not disappoint. Plus, it was like being back studying abroad, since I was attending my sister’s art history class 🙂

Following this was our lunch visit to Cosi. Not to be confused with the well known US knockoff, this anglophone friendly one-stop-shop has luscious salads, scrumptious sandwiches, and ooey gooey desserts, all served with their signature bread. Just as delicious as I remembered.

For dessert, we waltzed across the city (easy to do, since the walk is so beautiful, you lose track of time) and headed over to Du Pain et Des Idées. Let me tell you. This may now be my favorite bakery in Paris. It is filled with only French people (so you know it’s good) with a line out the door. It smells like warm baking bread with a hint of bruléed sugar, and the pastries it churns out are baked warm and fresh throughout the day. They now hold my heart for the best pain au chocolat in the world (I don’t have a picture of it, and I’m not positive I ever will). Their escargot chocolat pistache is one of their other incredible treats (pictured here).

After a day of jetlag, I just wanted a bowl of something delicious to eat before I went into a deep blissful sleep, so I filled myself up with my sister’s choice: Sapporo Ramen. It was a rich and flavorful broth filled with handmade noodles that made the whole warm bowl intensely satisfying.

Sleep was good.

Addresses:

The Broken Arm

12 Rue Perrée, 3rd Arrondissement

Café Craft

24 Rue des Vinaigriers, 10th Arrondissement

Du Pain et Des Idées

34 Rue Yves Toudic, 10th Arrondissement

Sapporo Ramen

37 Rue Saite-Anne, 1st Arrondissement

The San Francisco IIHC Food Awards

January 15, 2014January 15, 2014 / beccalev / 2 Comments

Having just completed my most recent jam-packed and belly-expanding trip to San Francisco, I am now ready to give out the first ever Instead I Had Cake (IIHC) Awards to the Best Of San Francisco.

Best Pastry Award: Tartine Bakery (double pain au chocolat)

After coming back from a nine month stay in Paris, I have developed an acute ability to judge the difference between a decent chocolate croissant and a fantastic one. And this pain au chocolat was PHENOMENAL.

It’s ultra buttery, delicately crispy, and densely chocolatey, with dozens of flakey layers and a soft interior. It’s exactly what I would have described as the ultimate chocolate croissant experience. I took one bite from that extra buttery-crispy-caramelized end and almost started crying, it was that good.

Tartine has been written up for having the best bread, the best bread pudding, and the best bread cookbook, and while I agree that those are also bread, bread pudding, and cookbook perfection, I will be the first to say that the best thing they sell is this pain au chocolat.

Best Ice Cream Award: Bi Rite Creamery

Known and respected for their salted caramel ice cream (the only one outside of Berthillon in Paris that I truly enjoy), this creamery does ice cream right. Smooth, buttery mouthfeel; rich, intense flavors; fresh, handmade hot fudge and whipped cream, this ice cream shop has it all.

For a truly amazing experience, my favorite combination was the roasted banana with their famous salted caramel topped with hot fudge and whipped cream. That first bite of that sundae is still one of the highlights of the trip for me.

In addition to their creamery, Bi Rite also has a market where they have gathered the best of the best of everything from around the city, encouraging consumers to not only buy their products, but just to buy right 🙂

Best Toast Award: The Mill

Not sure if you’ve noticed, but there is definitely a trend toward high-end toast making. Why, you ask? Well, after you’ve had a bite of the toast from the Mill, you will suddenly understand.

Using Josey’s Bread, McClellend’s butter, and other fresh local ingredients, The Mill toasts thick cuts bread of different flavor concoctions to perfection, tops it with interesting combinations of toppings, and charges you a whopping $3.75. It sounds like a rip off ONLY until you take the first bite.

The picture may not look beautiful, but I PROMISE it was one of the most memorable bites of the trip. Apricot Fennel toast with McClellend’s local butter, brown sugar, and sea salt. It was perfect. Plus, you can get the renowned Four Barrel Coffee at the same location, so why would you ever go anywhere else?

Best Coffee Award: Ritual Coffee

This may be a controversial response since Four Barrel is universally considered to be better, but the combined atmosphere and flavor of their signature espresso pushed Ritual to the top of the pile of the many cappuccinos I drank throughout the city.

The lemony espresso combined with the perfectly executed microfoam, friendly service, and cool vibe made the entire cappuccino a pleasant, refreshing, and memorable caffeinated experience. Plus, their logo is pretty sweet, not gonna lie.

Best Burrito Award: El Farolito

It’s hard to pick a best burrito since everyone’s preference is so personal, but the most memorable burrito bite I had was from El Farolito in the Mission. Their limited menu and incredibly casual seating area may be off putting to some, but what makes this place stand out is their use of freshly sliced avocado instead of guacamole, and their all-medium-heat salsa bar.

The fragrant rice, grilltop-browned tortillas, and succulent beans send this burrito to a cut above the rest for me.

RUNNERS UP

Runner Up for Best Ice Cream: Humphry Slocombe

Originally opened as an ice cream store not-for-children, Humphry Slocombe is know mainly for their meat and alcohol ice cream flavors, for those more adventurous eaters. While Secret Breakfast (bourbon ad cornflakes) is so their most popular flavor, their butterbeer ice cream (browned butter and stout) is my new favorite ice cream flavor of all time.

Runner Up for Best Coffee (and best pastry): Equator Coffee

Their location is just across the bridge, on the way to Muir Woods for those of you wanting to escape the city for a bit. Attached to a surf shop, Equator Coffee has an extra-chill vibe whole dishing our great coffee. The bright espresso flavor paired with their crispy-creamy Croissant-Doughnut is the ultimate breakfast (a policeman’s dream, the ultimate coffee-doughnut combination).

Runner Up for Best Burrito: La Canasta

This hole-in-the-wall, only take out Mexican paradise produces the burrito to which I compare all other burritos I ever eat. It has not changed a BIT since I was born, including the people who work the register and who cool the food. The people running this Mexican haven in the Marina live and breathe their craft, and I never regret a single trip to their small-but-mighty establishment.

Flavorful rice, chicken grilled-while-you-watch, tortillas tossed on the flattop, and incredibly genuine serviceable this a must-visit.

How to have the best Christmastime trip to Strasbourg, France

December 5, 2013 / beccalev / Leave a comment

Food you should eat:

Sausage (you’re so close to Germany, why not?)

Sauerkraut (same reason as above)

Spaetzle (I’m sensing a theme)

Hot Cider (because it will be cold)

Vin Chaud aux épices avec du miel (hot, spiced wine sweetened with honey? what’s not to like?)

Bamboules (chocolate covered gooey marshmallows. Yum.)

Tarte Flambé (not a tart, it’s like a cross between a pizza and a panini)

Chocolat Chaud at Bistrot et Chocolat (it’s worth it)

Man-shaped thing (doughnut/beignet or pretzel is recommended)

Gouter at Christian (it’s precious)

Dinner at Aux Armes de Strasbourg (despite some uncomfortable attention you might receive from waiters, it’s a nice and reasonably priced place to eat)

Things you should know:

Ask for directions for how to get to the biggest market. There will be maps, but the markets are a bit disconnected.

Walk around La Petite France. It’s gorgeous.

Popping over into Germany is super easy and weirdly convenient, but they don’t speak French at all, so it’s weird.

YOU MUST GO TO LA MAISON DE HANSSEN ET GRETEL

There’s a super cool museum about the history of Strasbourg that was free for some reason while we were there. Try doing that because it was really fun and you could try on great hats.

Maybe look into going to Zanzibar (we had a fab recommendation from some guys at the hostel)

The cuckoo/astronomical clock does not go off on Sundays.

Bring a camera. There are photos ops EVERYWHERE.

For more detailed descriptions:

Look at my full-length blog post/diary entry on my travel blog from while I was abroad.

The Best Pastries to get in the “Land of Pastries” that is Paris, France

October 25, 2013October 25, 2013 / beccalev / 1 Comment

Going abroad to Paris and Aix-en-Provence was the best decision I’ve ever made. I stayed away from the US for the whole year and developed a deeper relationship with the amazingness of food. Especially pastry, which France is renowned for! While not all of the treats on this list are ones I could afford every day, the ones that have made it to my top tier and special bites that are worth the splurge and ones that I keep recommending to everyone I know as my some of my favorite pastries in the world.

While these are obviously not the only options available in the city and these do not include every pastry I’ve ever eaten in France, this list includes the places I went back to as often as I could, the places I dream about revisiting, and the places recommend to people who are going to Paris. This is the short list (as short as I can make it):

Croissants from Poilâne

Right near the Bon Marché is the world-renowned boulangerie, famous for its country bread (pain de campagne) and old-style techniques in an ancient oven. While the croissant itself may look to be less yummy than some others that you might see in any patisserie on the street (such as Eric Kayser, for example), trust me, the minute you put a piece of this croissant (as close to the early morning as you can get one since it will be fresher) you won’t be able to eat another croissant without comparing to that of Poilâne. Since Poilâne is more of a boulangerie than a patisserie, I had figured their croissant would be bread-ier than most, but no! It’s buttery, flaky outside and fluffy, lush inside was enough to win me over, and there was not a single bad bite in the whole treat.

While you’re there, you might as well pick up a quarter (“quart” pronounced “car”) of the pain de campagne (those giant breads with a P carved into them) or a tiny rustic apple tartlette. Both of those are delicious as well. And another plus of this being a boulangerie: the costs are very low! The croissant is about 1 euro! It’s absolutely worth a stop to this world-renowned boulangerie, even if it’s just to take a peak in the window.

Éclair from Carl Marletti

This little hole-in-the-wall shop just off the end of Rue Mouffetard smells delicious as soon as you get close. While you may walk past it the first time, you will not be able to miss the aroma. There’s a kitchen working in the back of this little shop that keeps churning out such delicacies, but my clear favorite is the éclair caramel au beurre salé.

It’s absolutely decadent, and the extra sugar crunch on the outside of the pâte au chou makes it a cut above in the delicious department, and the cream inside is to die for. As you bite into it, the cream comes spilling out the other side, so watch out, because you don’t want to lose any of the perfect creaminess.

Pasteis from Comme à Lisbonne

While it may seem strange that I’m recommending a Portuguese delicacy as a necessary stop in Paris, I swear this is the best pasteis I have had outside of Lisbon. If you’re not planning on making it to Portugal anytime soon, pick up one of these warm custard filled pastries.

It’s only 2 euros, always warm, and dusted with cinnamon (always say “oui” to cannelle), and the pastry from this tiny store in the Marais never disappoints. It only sells pasteis and coffee, so you know you’re getting the best every time, and they make new batches all day, so if they’re running out, they’ll soon replace it with piping hot pasteis. Plus, this little store (and most of the Marais) is open on Sundays, meaning you can pick one up on the down days in Paris.

Tartelette au citron (Lemon tartlet) from Arnaud Delmontel

On the lively Rue des Martyrs, this fabulous patisserie has a display window with a line of these perfect yellow domes amidst the other pastries. While the pastry itself may look like it would be dense or rich, this citrusy pastry cream melts away with an airiness that leaves you satisfied but wanting more. It’s perfect. And it’s beautiful to boot.

This perfect dome is worth the splurge because you really have to taste it to believe that something that small can pack a powerful punch and melt into nothing. It’s really the perfect lemon tart.

Popelini from Popelini

This up-and-coming pastry seems to be heading toward taking over the macaron fad in Paris, so watch out for these little goodies. They’re like the best cream puff you’ve ever had.

They come in a bunch of flavors, and the packaging of these treats is really aesthetically pleasing. The place only sells Popelini (hence the name), so you know you’re getting the best. Now there are more locations springing up all over Paris, so you won’t have to go up to Rue des Martyrs to pick up one (or a few) of these treats.

Saint Honoré from La Patisserie des Rêves

This pastry is unreal, as if from a dream (see what I did there? relating the name of the place to the fantasticalness of the desserts it sells?). The flaky pastry topped with sweet cream and caramel covered cream puffs is decadent to say the least.

The crisp cookie bottom holds up the crunchy coated cream puffs on one side and a smooth, creamy chantilly on the other. It’s a little daunting to eat (and I recommend eating it while sitting down), but it’s definitely worth the effort!

Carrot Cake from Sugarplum Cake Shop

If you’ve been in France for a while (like I was) and are desperately craving some great American desserts, look no further than the great American bakery, Sugarplum Cake Shop. Everything they serve screams America, and they prepare each treat the way it should be, with great ingredients, picture perfect presentation, and love.

From rice krispie treats and cheese cake to muffins and peanut butter bars, almost any American dessert prepared the right way can be found here. You’re met with a friendly “Hello” when you walk in, and with the cake and coffee, you may never want to leave. Big pluses: free wifi on the weekdays, free refills for filtered coffee (although it is 4 euros to start), comfy couches and English speaking personnel, and, of course, Le Carrot Cake 🙂

Tarte au Citron Meringuée from Le Loir dans la Théière

While the mile-high meringue may seem insurmountable, the tarte is definitely an experience (even without being able to finish the pile of fluff on top of the lemon tart).

Le Loir dans la Théière is a great place to get brunch, lunch, or a snack in the Marais, selling great tartes both savory and sweet. The freshest of ingredients are used to create these fresh tartes, making them taste that much better. While this isn’t a place where you can easily come in and take something to go, it’s worth a break from a hard day of walking (and it’s delicious to boot)! This lemon tart, to compare it directly with the other lemon tart on this list, is much more of a novelty than a delicacy, and it’s hard to take away with you. But it’s definitely great to take pictures with and tell stories about, and the other, freshly made savory tarts and quiches are worth the trip.

Millefeuille à la Minute from Jacques Génin

This new craze about the millefeuille made to order is starting to circulate, but the only one that I have heard fabulous things about (and can corroborate) is the one from Jacques Génin. While this man is already a famous chocolatier, with delicate chocolates and caramels (pick up a bunch of those), his pastries are also incredible.

By filling the buttery, flaky, crunchy cookies with luscious pastry cream and a raspberry coulis (if you order the raspberry one as I did), Génin creates a fantastic dessert (or snack) that comes out slightly different every time. This treat is an expensive one, I’ll give you that, but the atmosphere of the room and the deliciousness of the treat might overpower the price.

Overall, the pastries in Paris are incredible, and this is not a complete list, but this is the start to a lifelong journey of finding the best of the best.

Addresses:

Poilâne

8, rue du Cherche-Midi (6ème)

Carl Marletti

51, rue Censier (5ème)

Comme à Lisbonne

37, rue du Roi de Sicile (4ème)

Arnaud Delmontel

39, rue des Martyrs (9ème)

Popelini

44, rue des Martyrs (9ème)

La Patisserie des Rêves

93, rue du Bac (7ème)

Sugarplum Cake Shop

68, rue Cardinal Lemoine (5ème)

Le Loir dans la Théière

3, rue des Rosiers (4ème)

Jacques Génin

133, rue de Turenne (3ème)

Where you should be getting coffee in Manhattan

October 7, 2013October 7, 2013 / beccalev / Leave a comment

Coffee can be a necessity in a city: the world moves fast, and sometimes you need a little help to keep your energy up. Naturally, when I need my caffeine fix, I only want the best of the best (since Manhattan is the place to get some of the best coffee in the US). Here are my top hits.

Blue Bottle Coffee

A place that’s serious about their coffee process (and wears great hats). Super delicious cappuccinos, freshly made drip coffee, and a very cool syphon bar for an innovative approach to coffee.

Also, their baked goods are quite special, especially their very ginger-y ginger cookie. And my favorite location is only a few steps away from Chelsea Market (one of my favorite food destinations in the City).

Stumptown Coffee

This hipster joint attached to the Ace Hotel in midtown is THE place to get the best coffee. Some other highly rated places in the City and in other cities around the world are only great because they use the Stumptown roaster brand coffee.

In addition to the great coffee beans, the preparation is spectacular, from cappuccino to cold brew. Plus, the servers all wear cool hats and too-cool attitudes. But the best part: they have a loyalty card that actually gets you a free drink after 10, so despite their high prices, the coffee can still end up costing the same as a Starbucks addiction (but taste 50 times better).

Ninth Street Espresso

While we’re on the subject of Chelsea Market, I should probably also mention the amazing coffee you can get just inside the market itself. Ninth Street Espresso has incredible coffee, and you can take it on the go (which is perfect for a stroll through the market.

The beans are excellent, the preparation is awesome, and the microfoam is as great as it should be. Plus it’s hard to beat the location.

La Colombe

When a store says they serve La Colombe coffee, it’s a big deal. So, naturally, going to La Colombe itself is spectacular. The coffee is fresh and sweet (without sugar) and prepared exquisitely.

The service is friendly, particular, and slow: all things that show they really care about the quality of the coffee you get. Delicious.

Third Rail Coffee

This coffee place, while it does not roast its own beans, prepares an excellent cup of coffee with perfect microfoam.

Plus it’s a tad cheaper than these other places, so for people who are worried about the price of the expensive-coffee-habit will prefer this place.

This list does not include some of the fabulous cups of coffee I have yet to try around the city, but it is a work in progress.

Stumptown Coffee

18 W 29th Street

Blue Bottle Coffee

450 W. 15th St.

Ninth Street Espresso

75 9th Ave

La Colombe Coffee

270 Lafayette Street

Third Rail Coffee

240 Sullivan Street

Best French Macaroons in Paris

October 4, 2013 / beccalev / 1 Comment

While the craze for these petite treats is going from fiery passion to fizzling spark, I figured I would get my two cents in while the going was still at least lukewarm. Unlike the America macaroon, the French macaroon, or “macaron” as I prefer to call it, is an almond flour meringue cookie sandwich stuffed with ganaches and pastry creams and jams and other delicacies. The way to tell a great macaroon from a not-so-great one is not only the texture of the cookie but also the quality of the filling.

By the end of my nine month sojourn in France, I was able to properly enjoy a perfect macaroon and could not stand to eat one that was not perfect. Here are my favorites of any macaroons I tried in Paris:

Pierre Hermé

This master of pastry not only sells delicious macaroons, but also some of the fanciest desserts I had in Paris. He is world renowned as the creator of fantastical renditions of traditional treats as well as new twists on old favorites. Everything he creates is obviously yummy, but it’s his macaroons that originally made him famous to other people who weren’t pastry chefs!

The flavors of these range from the classic (caramel, raspberry…) to the kooky (olive oil, asparagus…) but all of the flavors are equally great. The cookie is the perfect blend of crunchy and soft, the fillings are fresh and natural, and the presentation is, as expected, superb.

This is my number one choice of anywhere to get a macaroon in Paris, topping traditional favorites like Ladurée and Gerard Mulot.

Ladurée

While one may be considered a tourist for holding the famous mint green bag, it’s worth it to pick up of few of their delicate macaroons. This famous patisserie has now expand into an international chain (with a post in New York City (!!!!)), so it’s no longer a Paris original, but it definitely tastes better on this side of the ocean.

The macaroons they make are definitely worth the price, but sometimes I feel like they’re not worth waiting in the long line for. Yes, they’re yummy, but they’re much smaller than those of their competitors at Pierre Hermé and have less originality in the flavors. They seem to have stopped trying to create the new and focused on trying to expand. They are content with living up to the expectations of tourists instead of trying to exceed them, which is a real shame since with a touch more of creativity, they could have maintained their top spot in my list.

I have to say this, though: the fact that they fill their caramel macarons with actual caramel au beurre salé instead of a caramel flavored pastry cream puts that macaroon at the top of any list (even above Pierre Hermé). Stop in just to pick up one of those (although be prepared to wait in a long line of tourists).

Carrette

This fancy salon de thé right by the Trocadero (with the best view of the Eiffel Tower) has a glitzy take-away counter right inside, past all the glamorous people eating their fancy treats with tiny cups of espresso. And from there, you can get their macaroons to go.

The macaroons themselves are both beautiful to look at and yummy to eat, plus you can pick up a bag of them and walk right over to the Eiffel Tower and stare at its glory while you munch on these delicacies.

While they may not top the list in either texture or flavor, their location alone is a reason to stop in for these cute treasures. And they’re delicious, so that’s a plus!

Gerard Mulot

A household name in Paris, the man produces some more reasonably priced macaroons in imaginative flavors and colorful presentation. His store sells both the sweet and the savory (a cross of a patisserie and a boulangerie), so it’s a great place to come buy your entire picnic lunch!

The macaroons themselves too are very nice and are done the right way, which is always a great thing to see when a shop tries to do everything. It’s a great place to go, and the area it’s in is just fun to be in anyway, so this quick detour is an bonus!

Places you could definitely skip:

Dalloyau

This chain is all around Paris, and while I would step in here to get a slice of their famous Opéra cake, I would skip the macaroons. The cookies are a bit too almond-y and the fillings did not cover up the nuttiness that took over each flavor.

Basically, go here for the Opéra, not the macarons.

Georges Larnicol

This famous chocolatier has his decorative display of macaroons prominently placed in the center of the main store on Boulevard St Germain, but don’t be tempted by the beauty: the texture isn’t quite right and the fillings are a bit too sweet.

Overall, while I would stop in here to pick up the amazing chocolates, I would not recommend you go in just for the macaroons.

Addresses:

Pierre Hermé

72 rue Bonaparte (6ème arrondissement)

Ladurée

75, avenue des Champs Elysées (8ème arrondissement)

864 Madison Avenue New York, NY

Carrette

4 Place du Trocadéro (16ème arrondissement)

Gerard Mulot

76 Rue de Seine (6ème arrondissement)

Dalloyau

2 Place Edmond Rostand (6ème arrondissement)

Georges Larnicol

132 Boulevard Saint-Germain (6ème arrondissement)

How to make the best buttermilk pancakes

October 3, 2013 / beccalev / 2 Comments

I have always loved everything about pancakes: from the smell of butter on a griddle, to the fluffy, maple-syrup-covered final product. But I don’t just like any old pancake: I aim for the best. The best pancakes don’t come from a mix, and taking that little extra step of putting all of the ingredients together can make the difference between an OK pancake and a fantastic one. And what can be more fantastic than a perfect buttermilk pancake? Not much, I can tell you that.

I’ve done extensive (and delicious) research on which buttermilk to use for the best buttermilk pancakes and have come to this resounding conclusion: Katie’s Farm Fresh from Maine Real Buttermilk. This buttermilk plus 5 other simple ingredients make an easy, heart-warming breakfast for a treat.

My special trick to making multiple flavors of pancakes is using a ½ cup measure: I fill it about halfway with batter, add the filling to the batter in the cup (such as berries, banana pieces, chocolate chips, etc.), and then pour it onto the griddle. This way, the extras are covered with batter and not just floating on top and I don’t have to make multiple batches of batter!

Making pancakes more often leads to the need for a special type of pan that is necessary to invest in (if you’re going to be invested in these pancakes, which I promise you will be): a griddle pan. This piece of equipment is a flat top griddle that goes across two stovetops and cooks up to 8 mini pancakes at a time! On the other side of the griddle is a grill pan, so it’s dual functioning, I love it!

The pancakes come out fresh and crisp with a soft, fluffy center, and with real maple syrup, they’re truly scrumptious (points if you get the reference).

The recipe is super easy and very low stress, so I can whip these up first thing when I get up and I’m wearing glasses, PJs, and still-sleeping mental state. It always wakes me up on the right side of the bed 🙂

Buttermilk Pancakes (adapted from The Breakfast Book)

3 tbsp butter, melted (cooled a little)

1 cup buttermilk and 1 egg, combined (with whisk)

3/4 cup of flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt, mixed together

Add the melted butter to the buttermilk-egg mixture while stirring so that the hot butter doesn’t cook the egg.

Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, and don’t over mix it! You still want the mixture to be a little clumpy. For thinner pancakes, you can mix an extra second or a few extra swipes (and if you’re making them as small as I do, they’ll crisp up a little easier on the edges).

If you want to add some ingredients to it, but not everyone wants flavored pancakes, you can do what I do for my family: using a half cup measure, take about 1/4 cup of batter, pour in a handful of berries (for example), and then pour the new mixture onto the griddle. That way, the berries have a tiny barrier of batter between them and the pan, and they’re more likely to stay in the pancake when you flip them over!

Pour the batter onto the pan and wait to flip them until the edges look less liquidy or the underside (if you take a peak) is browned or crispy on the edges. Try to only flip the pancakes once to keep the pancakes as light and fluffy as possible!

Best Croissant in Boston

October 2, 2013October 2, 2013 / beccalev / Leave a comment

Ever since I came back from France, I have been trying to find a halfway decent croissant to compare to the amazing ones I had in Paris. And since I’m currently in the Boston area, I figured I would go on a quest (with the help of some recommendations from this Chowhound discussion).

I tried places in Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Cambridge, and Boston itself (although I didn’t make it to the North End), and here are my top places so far.

Canto 6

Past the main drag of Jamaica Plain, right when you reach the point of “wait, where are we?” is this haven of pastry: Canto 6. You walk inside and are welcomed by the smell of baked goods made with real butter and greeted with the sights of mouth-watering goodies.

While all of the pastries in therelooked completely delicious, I decided to pick up a salted chocolate chip cookie, a whoopie pie, and, of course, a pain au chocolat. I saved the dessert foods for later (which were both delicious) but ate the chocolate croissant immediately, and I had an immediate flashback to walking down the streets of Paris. The texture was right, the shape was right, and the chocolate was real chocolate. Although it was a little breadier than the finest of croissants from France, it was definitely a very close competition to the best croissant I’ve had in the US.

Not only were the croissants good and the rest of the pastries equally delicious, but also the people working there were SO NICE (not something you always find in a high end bakery)! The place was charming (despite the lack of many places to sit) and it had a fun, hipster-y atmosphere that comes with the location of Jamaica Plain. I highly recommended finding your way out there, it is worth the trip!

Clear Flour Bread

Centrally located, just off of Coolidge Corner in Brookline, this bakery is known for its prowess in breads. The sour dough bread is actually tangy (a taste that is sorely missed by Californianites), the country bread is nice and hearty, and the baguettes look authentic (which is a sight for sore eyes). But the best part is the row of pastries that stands right behind the register, gorgeous, tantalizing, and just so correct.

The pain au chocolat here is lovely, and with three batons of chocolate in the chocolate croissant, it’s positively decadent. I also loved the cannelés as a fun treat. And while I haven’t tried the morning buns myself, I read that they are made with the croissant dough, so I’m positive they will be delicious 🙂

I highly recommend this place. A delicious stop, although you have to come in early because a lot of things sell out before noon on busy Saturdays! Also, there’s no place to sit, but you probably won’t need to be sitting down to snarf one of their delicacies.

Tatte Fine Cookies and Cakes

Both of Tatte’s locations (one in Brookline and one in Cambridge) are sweet boutiques that are a pleasure to look at even before they are a pleasure to eat in. Just to step into one is like stepping into a jewelbox filled with delicate pastries and dainty decorations.

The pastries they prepare are also delicious. We picked up a couple of “roses” and a croissant based tart with eggplant, red pepper, and goat cheese as well as a croissant. All were yummy and exquisite to look at.

In addition to pastries, they also sell Jeni’s homemade ice cream (at a fair price), which as a foodie is hard to find! I would definitely recommend this place, even to just come in and gawk at the beauty of the food. For a nice big seating location, the Kendall Square location is bigger and close to some of my other favorite places (Voltage Café and Area Four)

All in all, it seems possible to find a decent croissant, as told by a croissant lover stuck in the North East!

Addresses:

Canto 6

3346 Washington St, Jamaica Plain

Clear Flour Bread

178 Thorndike St, Brookline

Tatte Fine Cookies and Cakes

1003 Beacon St, Brookline

318 3rd St, Cambridge

Best Hot Chocolate in Paris

October 1, 2013 / beccalev / 1 Comment

I spent my junior year abroad in Aix-en-Provence and Paris, taking classes, exploring the cities, traveling to other amazing parts of the world, and of course eating ridiculously amazing food. I’ve been putting together lists of places I went to and loved for people who want to go back and recreate some of the experiences I had. I kept a blog of my time there which now hasn’t been updated in just over a year, but I still get requests for my favorite places to go in Paris and Aix!

Hot chocolate has definitely been a staple for me growing up, so of course while I was abroad I was looking to continue having the best of the best. Here are my four most memorable cups of cocoa in Paris.

Angelina, which is the obvious choice.

It’s really incredibly delicious. Despite the long line (which moves fast) and the room filled with lots of tourists, it retains its old-time Paris feel and serves up its always delicious albeit expensive small pitcher of chocolatey goodness and a small cup of freshly whipped cream. The sensation of pouring this rich, chocolatey goodness into the china tea cup is something I truly enjoy.

Each time anyone came to visit me, I would bring them to Angelina, just because I knew it was a place with both a wow-factor for the place and the food. As a college kid on a budget, it may seem strange that I would recommend splurging 7 euros on about 1.5 cups of cocoa, but trust me, it’s worth every cent. If you split 2 orders between 3 people and get one pastry to share, that would still be plenty and you would DEFinitely be getting your money’s worth at this amazing place!

Un Dimanche à Paris

This is another fancy salon de thé (or, as they call it, a salon de chocolat) which prides itself on its pastries, chocolates, and of course its hot chocolate. In a little hidden alleyway by the Odéon, it feels like you’ve found this hidden gem of a place. Half of the store is to buy objects to take away with you while the other half is the salon. And another fact that makes it even more appealing: it’s open on a Sunday, a rather rare occurrence in Paris.

What could be better than that? Something that I truly appreciate as a student: they offer small cups, about a dixie-cup-size full of their delicious hot chocolate to go for only 2,50 euros! That way you can drink this thick, sweet chocolate while strolling around the 6th arrondissement and not have to confine yourself indoors.

I believe that this option is only available in the afternoon, but it’s a perfect time to pick up a “gouter” (the French version of snacktime, usually spent chilling out at a café, drinking something and eating a pastry, helping keep the French satiated before their late dinners). Plus, having that amount of delicious hot chocolate for the price of 2,50 euros is definitely a sweet deal.

Merce and the Muse

This tucked away café is so eclectically decorate, it feels more like you’ve stepped into someone’s living room to hang out. Then you start to notice the pastries on display and the professional espresso machine on the counter and you realize this quirky space is a groovy spot to chill and sip coffee, or in my case, this lavender hot chocolate.

Normally, I tend to think of lavender scented foods as tasting more like soap than a tasty treat, but this hot chocolate was the perfect balanced of silky dark chocolate with just a hint of floral undertone. It was perfect for the chilly day outside, and the almond cake we had with it (a special of the day) complemented beautifully.

They were recommended to me for their coffee and pastries, but their hot chocolate was definitely worth the trip. And if you have the time, stop by for their brunch on Sunday: bountiful, fresh food that doesn’t leave you feeling gross, just content.

Sugarplum Cake Shop

This American-style bakery in Paris is sometimes just what you’re searching for, especially if you’ve been away from home and America as long as I had at the point I had found this place. It is just a little slice of home, where many students studying abroad walk in and say, “I just want to live here!” (Seriously, I’ve heard it said dozens of times there). And their food, coffee, and, of course, hot chocolate are delicious to boot.

The down-home feel adds to the charm, and the big chocolate chip cookies and fifties-style icebox layer cakes feel like home. Plus you can get peanut butter baked goods, pecan toffe bars, cheesecake, and carrot cake (their signature dessert), all of which are nearly impossible to find in France. Plus, being greeted upon entering with a “Hello” is always music to an English speaker’s ears in a foreign country. To those looking for a place to hang, there’s wifi on the weekdays and couches to sit on, so it’s a good pit stop all around.
Places in which I would love to have tried the “chocolat chaud” but did not get a chance to:

Jacques Génin

His chocolates and caramels and delicious, his pastries and delectable, and he has a beautiful sitting area. I’m sure if I had sat down one day to drink a cup of hot chocolate, it would have made the list, though it always seemed a bit on the expensive side to me.

Jean-Paul Hévin

The chocolates and macarons they sell are yummy, so I’m sure the hot chocolate would have been something to talk about as well, though again this seemed like another pricey place.

Ladurée

Despite the fact that it’s a chain now, and is also available in, you guessed it, New York City, this place still serves up some delicious pastries, so I’m sure that their hot chocolate would live up to the high standards set by their world famous macarons. I would also beware the price in this place, because if the pricing of the macaron is any sort of indicator, the price of the hot chocolate could be steep.

Addresses:

Angelina

226 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1er

Un Dimanche à Paris

4-6-8 Cour du Commerce Saint André, Paris 6eme

Merce and the Muse

1 bis Rue Dupuis, Paris 1er

Sugarplum Cake Shop

68 rue du Cardinal LeMoine, Paris 5eme

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Author: beccalev

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