Food Porn Friday: Cinq Mars + Salon du Chocolat

I owe you an apology for two reasons.  First, I have been on a Food Porn hiatus.  But come on...I was on my honeymoon.  Surely you can forgive me for that.  Second, I am about to give you a Food Porn Friday that is similar in nature to what you might call "amateur."

But, I'm gonna make it up to you in the end, I promise!

Fab wanted to take me out for a "Return to Paris" dinner one night.  Since we're in it for the long haul in the 7th, we are trying to find the good spots that don't cater to hungry tourists wandering in from the Eiffel Tower.  Turning to Le Fooding, Paris's foodie guide par excellence, we selected le Cinq Mars.

Food Porn Friday: Cupcake Camp in Paris Edition

This year, Halloween is *not* my favorite activity involving baking, meeting up with people, and having fun.  No, this year, on the 2nd of October, the coolest party in Paris will be happening.  And it is for a really good cause.

Bal de l'X

The Opéra Garnier, lit up and dressed with thousands of fragrant flowers.  Handsome men in uniforms and tuxedos.  Women dressed in their finest gowns.  This trip back to the former glamour of the 19th Century happens once a year at the Opéra Garnier : the Bal de l'X.

Me, rockin' the bicorne

Salon de l'Agriculture

At the end of February, Paris got in touch with its agricultural side.  Despite the tough exterior and urban luxuries that the Parisian species prides itself for, the sight of a baby lamb or a big poofy chicken makes them go all soft.  Add a couple of really big expo halls chock full of food specialities from around France and the world, and you've got yourself a huge hoedown.  Only the Salon de l'Agriculture can bring people from all over the hectagone to revel in the greatness of France's terroir (and create an environment city folk don't mind the smell of cow and pig butts.)

Nous aimons rien...nous sommes parisiens

Big Move

Radio silence.

This is what happens when you change apartments in Paris.  Why?

Because France Télécom legally has 10 days to change your phone number and Internet accounts when you move, and they take every day of it, especially when you are a customer for a competitor (aka Bouygues Télécom)...It is amazing that over 60 years after Julia Child's stay in Paris, some things like not getting telephone service quickly, haven't changed.

I've done many a cool thing worth writing about, but I have some great photos of said events and prefer to not write my blogs halfway.  I cannot upload my pictures at work, so here we are...on hold.  Anyhow, I went to the Salon de l'Agriculture, had a dinner with 16 great people made by the lovely Laura and Braden of Hidden Kitchen, and this weekend, I will be putting together my little nid d'amour right by the Eiffel Tower followed by a trip to the huge Festival du Livre Culinaire.

Good things are worth waiting for.

Chinese New Year...Parisian Style

I am pretty attached to all these Chinese.  I love the culture, the food, and I really enjoyed living there for a month while teaching English in Beijing.  The people are always so friendly and caring, no matter where in the world you meet them.  Given this attachment, I found it necessary to take part in the Chinese New Year celebrations in Paris a few weeks ago.

2011 is the year of the rabbit in Chinese culture.  Generally, if it is your year (those born in 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999) then you are supposed to wear red to bring good luck.  The year of the rabbit is supposed to bring peace and a placid environment following the year of the tiger.  It should bring relaxation and a languid lifestyle, with luxuries enhancing our lives.  It is a year of compromise and thoughtful decisions.  Hopefully the year will bring this and more.

And now that the meaning behind this year's Chinese new year has been explained, let's get to the Paris celebrations.

February Calendar

I am making things happen in February, folks.  Why ?  Because you just can't get good writing material out of recruiting people to go to Africa.

February 2 : Chez Dumonet
February 5 : Erin's Chocolate Tour
February 6 : Chinese New Year Parade
February 13 : High Tea at Ritz Paris
February 25 : Salon de l'Agriculture
February 27 : Hidden Kitchen Dinner

Should be a fun filled month !  Stay tuned !