An homage to Mr Lenotre

The day we arrived in Paris, a couple of weeks ago, the papers announced the death of Monsieur Lenotre. Pastry chef, and head of the homonymous food empire, Gaston Lenotre died at the age of 88.
He was jolly looking man, as chefs often are. The first Lenotre boutique opened in 1957 serving bavarois, charlottes, mousses and macarons. In 1971 Lenotre opened a cooking school for aspiring chefs. As many French magazine and newspapers said, Lenotre will not be forgotten. In order to commemorate Mr. Lenotre's death and his legacy, we went to buy a box of macarons from the Lenotre shop near our house.

They were incredible. They made me wish I could write a letter to Gaston Lenotre and thank him for such a wonderful work of art. I am sure many people feel the same.
I think David Lebovitz wrote not long ago that there were too many macarons around, and that everyone in France was making them.
While I agree with David ( I had some in Fontainbleau that were to say the least, unremarkable), I also think it great to have such wonderful variety at hand. Lenotre, Laduree and Pierre Herme' all within 30 min walk from each other.. Vive la France!

When it's cold outside..

I like to complain. I like to say that I miss the sun and the light of Rome, my mom's delicious food and my friends.
But then, I realize that I cannot complain. Spending six months a year in Paris is a treat, rather than an imposition. Being here for a "short" time allows me to always discover new things and look at the city with the eyes of a new comer. At the same time, living here for long stretches of time is perfect for feeling and home and becoming a "regular"in a restaurant.

Well, for the first time today, after almost 1 year of going to the same boulangerie I had a smile from the woman who works there. She was polite as usual, but also added a genuine smile when Mr. R insisted for a third rose de sable. Life is good when things like this happen.

Another pick me up in rainy cold days, is a cup of tea with Laduree macarons. We are slightly obsessed with these delicious, colorful mini dessert. Maybe because they come in lovely boxes, or maybe because they are gluten free, or simply because they are the perfect size for a dessert, every time we walk past one of the many Laduree spots in Paris we make sure to pick up a little box of 8 macarons.
Favorite fravors are: coffee, caramel, rose and violet.