Paris, encore.

As my plane descended to Charles De Gualle airport last Thursday, I had the feeling of coming home.  It's comforting to take a vacation in a familiar place.  I didn't have any grand plans of seeing this museum or eating at that restaurant....just a week to relax, see some friends and be with one very special person.  But I'd be lying if I said I didn't have anything planned.

 Fraise-Pistache St. Honore from Laduree

On Friday morning Romain and I set out to the Champs Elysees to pay a visit to Laduree.  This was not just a visit to buy macarons either; I had a rendez-vous.  I met with the head chef of Laduree to sign a convention de stage and set the dates for my 3 month internship at the famed Patisserie.  I am going back to Paris this summer to work at a world-renowned Patisserie! I was super giddy after my meeting; I practically floated out of the building and down the street before I remembered I wanted to actually go into the store to buy a treat.  So of course we went back.  I needed to see what I will be helping make this summer too. 

Laduree cookbook I received as a birthday gift, to help me prepare for this summer

It was a great way to start off my week in Paris.  The rest of my visit was filled with great dinners, lots of walking and stopping to stare into Patisserie and Boulangerie shop windows, watching a rugby game at the Stade de France, and a trying out Romain's new kitchen and microwave/oven combo.  On Wednesday before I left I had a great opportunity to spend some time in the kitchen at Restaurant Jean.

I stumbled upon Jean by internet search.  Its a cozy restaurant in the 9th arrondissement not to far from Romain's apartment.  The restaurant has a Michelin star and an American pastry chef!  I spent the early half of the day following Alison Johnson (the American pastry chef) around the petite cuisine at Jean and trying to be helpful and not get in her way.  I got to taste some of her lovely desserts and see the flawless artistic presentation of the dishes.  I was thrilled to see her command of her space and her attention to the last minute detail; her passion for her job is obvious.  I felt like a clumsy ameature next to her, but she is a lot of what I aspire to be.  She also became a pastry chef as a career change when she was about my age. She moved to France without knowing the language fluenty. Now she works for a wonderful restaurant making fantastic desserts and speaks French beautifully.

Palais Royal Jardin (2010)

Later on Wednesday Romain and I walked through the Palais Royal Jardin.  The trees were just starting to get some leaves and the intoxicating smell of hyacinths filled the air.  The jardin was rather full with people sitting and enjoying the flowers and the fresh spring air.  It was a great vacation and I was sad to leave Paris once again, but it was easier knowing I would be home again soon and for longer.  I came back to Boston feeling like my batteries had been recharged. Now just a few short weeks to prepare for my next big adventure.

Spring has arrived in Paris