Archive for November 17th, 2008

La Maison du Chocolat – Paris

Monday, November 17th, 2008

La Maison du Chocolat is based in Paris, and its chocolates are consistantly recognized as some of the best in the world. Most chocolates are dipped rather than molded, producing a very thin chocolate cover that melts perfectly with the filling in the mouth. The most popular filling at La Maison du Chocolat is the ganache (a mix of dairy cream and chocolate), here it is elevated to a rare perfection of taste and texture. Ganaches are subtly flavored with the use of scented ingredients (almond, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, coffee, fennel…) that blend perfectly well with the taste of the chocolate. The chocolate base used is from the famous French producer Valrhona. As often, quality has its price about US$60 per pound.

The pastries offered at La Maison are also exceptionally well made, on a par with those made in the best patisseries in Paris. All have of course a powerful chocolate taste. Try for example the Bacchus (layers of chocolate cake and chocolate ganache), or the Andalousie (chocolate cake, with lemon zest cream and truffle mousse). For U.S. residents La Maison du Chocolat has a store at 30 Rockefeller Center (tel. 212 265-9404) as well as stores in Paris, London and Tokyo.

Le Bistrot Paul Bert – Paris

Monday, November 17th, 2008

18, rue Paul Bert, Paris 11th
Tel. 01 43 72 24 01
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday
Closed: August
Credit Cards: MC, Visa
prix fixe: lunch 16€-32€, dinner 32€
Prices: Moderate

Le Bistrot Paul Bert hidden on a small street that branches off another small street is a true Parisian bistro usually noisy although fun and vivacious. The congenial owner Bertrand Auboyneau moves around the dining room engaging his customers in conversation.
The entrecôte frites was as expected, an excellent example of the bistro classic, the steak that was ordered rare, proved to be bit al dente although the meaty flavors jumped right out at you.  The same management operates L’Ecailler du Bistrot another bistro serving all manner of fish dishes at inexpensive prices directly adjacent to Paul Bert.

If you order the 32 € prix fixe dinner menu it gives you a choice to choose almost every dish listed on the menu with only the most expensive items bearing a surcharge. It should be mentioned that Paul Bert has a well-chosen wine list to compliment the menu.