Feb 22nd, 2010 by haveninparis
paris-hotel-lautrec.com
Text by Tory Hoen
If you’ve spent even a small amount of time in Paris, you know that the macaron is ubiquitous. And in a city of fastidious eaters, it’s significant that a single dessert has managed to win the hearts and minds of so many. But the debate rages on: who produces the best macaron of all? While Dalloyau and Lenôtre both make a commendable run at it, everyone knows that there are only two real contenders.
In one corner, we have the elegant and established Ladurée, which has been turning out sweet confections since 1862. And in the other corner, we have upstart Pierre Hermé, the enfant terrible of the dessert world who worked at Ladurée before setting out on his own. (Word on the street is that the “oppressive” traditions at Ladurée were preventing him from exploring the crazy flavor combinations for which he is now world famous). Naturally, we wanted to get in on the debate, so Sarah (another Hip Paris blogger) and I gathered some friends last week for a comprehensive taste test. Two boxes of macarons later, we reached a nearly unanimous verdict! Continue Reading »
Tags: dalloyau, dessert paris, french desserts, Ladurée, lenotre, macaron, macarons, paris macaron, Pierre Hermé
Posted in HiP Eats | 21 Comments »
Sep 9th, 2009 by haveninparis
Teatime at Laduree. Photo: 4.bp.blogpsot.com
by Sally Peabody, Your Great Days in Paris
We all know that Paris is famed for its alluring wines, rich dark chocolates, redolent cheese and buttery croissants… but fine tea? Who knew?
In fact, Paris’ numerous tea salons and tea shops offer the widest and best selection of top quality teas from growers around the world, carefully selected, served and sold with savoir-vivre. Choose from salons and shops that offer elegant second-empire style gilded decor, sleek contemporary spaces, or cozy stone-walled nooks. Tea-drinkers have their pick of memorable spots to stop and sample delicious teas from around the world. The Paris tea scene abounds with fascinating artisans who are dedicated to their chosen métier— and to offering the best-of-the-best to those who share their passion. Continue Reading »
Tags: chajin, chajin paris, dammann freres, kusmi tea, la maison des trois thes, Ladurée, laduree tea, mariage freres, mariage freres tea, paris tea, parisian tea salons, tea in paris, tea salon paris
Posted in HiP Eats, Parisian Living | 4 Comments »
Jun 4th, 2009 by haveninparis
photos courtesy of laduree.fr & chocolatezoom.com
Text by Tory Hoen
There are many ways to experience Paris, but one of the more decadent ones is, simply, to follow the chocolate. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of doing just that when I tagged along on Context Tour’s “Chocolate Walk,” a chocoholic’s dream that took me to many of the Left Bank’s most delicious (and gastronomically prestigious) addresses.
We began the tour in front of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church, where our docent, Camille Labro, pulled an actual cocoa pod (which she had recently brought from Brazil) out of her handbag and gave us a quick rundown on the plant’s important role in world history. Over the next few hours, we would learn the ins-and-outs of chocolate production and consumption, from its historical roots in South America to its modern incarnations in Paris and throughout the world. Continue Reading »
Tags: best chocolate paris, chocolate paris, chocolate tour paris, Context Travel, Debauve & Gallais, Ladurée, macaron paris, Macarons La Duree, Pascal Caffet, Pierre Hermé, Pierre Marcolini, tory hoen
Posted in HiP Eats, Parisian Living, Tours and Classes | 10 Comments »