David, we were in Paris for one incredible month, this past April into May. A good friend sent me your email on “the Best”. Gutsy and funny, I subscribed briefly, and will again when we return to Paris next year. Question, our daily croissants from a local Boulanger on Rue Saint-Denis, have our hearts (the butter!), and our taste buds, and the fresh Strawberries are all beyond fragrant and sweet, what kind of berries are sold in the markets? They are so much better than what we get now in California! Thinking of growing my own…but which seeds?
Oo, the Brompton broke my heart. I really wanted a folding bike for commuting and travel. I loved the Brompton test ride until I needed to go uphill. For me it was too easy to pop a wheelie while riding up a hill, and this wasn’t a problem on my “standard” bike. Since my usual routes have hills, the Brompton sadly was a no-go. YMMV. Moral of the story/my unsolicited advice: test ride a bike on terrain that you expect to be riding regularly... uphill and downhill (some bikes don’t handle great downhill and/or the brakes don’t have the leverage you want or need), cobble, smooth, etc. And I hope you enjoy riding whatever you choose!
The lighter (and smaller, folding) bikes do have their advantages but I found them to feel unsteady when riding them, especially with the smaller wheels and handlebars. They're beautiful bikes but my neighbor told me to make sure to get a bike I feel comfortable and safe on (she started with a Véligo and is now using Swapfiets - I took her bike out for a spin and liked it) so may do a trial for one of those.
Hi David. We in Oz are gearing up for an election and like you cost of living is front and centre. Although I’m currently reluctantly handing over $5 AU for strawberries which I think is about 3.3 euros. I mean we’re at the arse end of the world and we’re complaining …. maybe I’ll count my blessings. Even petrol is cheaper than yours.
Anyway great newsletter thank you. I always sit down with a cuppa to read. France seems a world away …. well it is but reading does make me realise how fortunate we are. So busy counting blessings and trying to decide what to have for dinner. Oh and I’m with you on entertaining by the time dinners ready to go I feel like leaving them to it and heading off to bed with a book!! Cheers Lindsey. Brisbane
Gas/petrol has always been expensive in France - in the U.S. it's now something like $4/gallon which is considered high, but it's normally around €6,50/gallon in France...Romain was shocked at how cheap gas was in America!
Enjoy your company. When I entertain I try to do as much as possible ahead of time. A favorite spring menu is poached salmon served cold with aioli, shaved asparagus dressed with lemon and olive oil, a loaf of bread, rose, and ice cream for dessert. If guests offer I will ask them to pickup some cheese and when they arrive I will ask them to arrange it on a cheese board and serve it. I will also ask them to clear before dinner. Otherwise something very simple like roasted olives or nuts before dinner. I don’t hesitate to ask someone to scoop the ice cream for dessert. I can’t wait for the next update on your apartment.
A yard in Paris is like a dream. What arrondissement is this? There was a place near where my daughter lived in Montparnasse that had a gated backyard and I would always walk by and gawk at the beautiful garden it held.
We get guests often here in Park City and I agree, cooking and cleaning up is not always fun, so we go out as well. Of course you are a famous chef so I would want your cooking too! Mine? Not so much. Lol.
It's in the 11th. A great thing about having a backyard elsewhere is that you can grill for guests as there are a lot fewer dishes (and less clean-up) but you can't grill in Paris, unfortunately.
You cannot grill in Paris?? Well, perhaps they do not want the grilling smells nor the fire risk. I assume that would be allowed in the more rural areas. I so love Paris.
Forgot to add, love following your adventures remodeling your new apartment. I did a major remodel last year, lot's of decisions. Loving the finished product!
Yes, it gets to be overwhelming having to decide on everything from knob and paint colors to appliances, outlets, shelves, etc. I think my brain is finally full!
David, I'm with you. I shop my farmer's market, when I want what comes into season I'll buy it. I can cut back somewhere else. Enjoy your strawberries and anything else you want to eat!
Those are the yummiest-looking strawberries ever!! And congratulations on finding a new home with a generous sized yard... I predict many al fresco meals this summer!
David, Thank you for your May 1 Newsletter…your Life and Romain‘s is quite FULL!!!!!! I LOVE mowing and am glad you are eating out!!!!!! I‘m praying your shoulder is healing…did you see that our mutual friend, Jeffrey Morgenthaler, is opening a new bar!!!!!!!!!!!! I ‚met‘ him through your Instagram post during Covid and we‘ve become good friends, thanks to you…Blessings on your renovation!!!!
Let’s see…. When I moved to Rome in 76 I went through three motorini in 8 months and then about 7 bicycles over the next three years. Then I just walked. Good luck with your new bike karma. Rent?
So much joy in this newsletter. A suggestion make the mafe and upside orange cake for your guests. Enjoy their company, drink a cocktail. Guests want your company.
OMG David, you said it exactly! I hate to entertain, but love to cook. You mean after deciding, shopping, cooking all day I have to entertain too? Make small talk? No no no, let's eat! LOL
Thanks for a great newsletter David - I followed every link and was enlightened with some lovely ideas and techniques. Emily’s blog on soufflés was a gem and since I have many bags of boysenberries in my freezer I will experiment with them.
As always, your newsletter fills me with happiness (and makes me feel like I should be cooking more….). So happy for you & Romain that your quest for a new home has ended so brilliantly. The yard! Lawn big enough to be mowed! Bien fait!
David, we were in Paris for one incredible month, this past April into May. A good friend sent me your email on “the Best”. Gutsy and funny, I subscribed briefly, and will again when we return to Paris next year. Question, our daily croissants from a local Boulanger on Rue Saint-Denis, have our hearts (the butter!), and our taste buds, and the fresh Strawberries are all beyond fragrant and sweet, what kind of berries are sold in the markets? They are so much better than what we get now in California! Thinking of growing my own…but which seeds?
Oo, the Brompton broke my heart. I really wanted a folding bike for commuting and travel. I loved the Brompton test ride until I needed to go uphill. For me it was too easy to pop a wheelie while riding up a hill, and this wasn’t a problem on my “standard” bike. Since my usual routes have hills, the Brompton sadly was a no-go. YMMV. Moral of the story/my unsolicited advice: test ride a bike on terrain that you expect to be riding regularly... uphill and downhill (some bikes don’t handle great downhill and/or the brakes don’t have the leverage you want or need), cobble, smooth, etc. And I hope you enjoy riding whatever you choose!
The lighter (and smaller, folding) bikes do have their advantages but I found them to feel unsteady when riding them, especially with the smaller wheels and handlebars. They're beautiful bikes but my neighbor told me to make sure to get a bike I feel comfortable and safe on (she started with a Véligo and is now using Swapfiets - I took her bike out for a spin and liked it) so may do a trial for one of those.
Hi David. We in Oz are gearing up for an election and like you cost of living is front and centre. Although I’m currently reluctantly handing over $5 AU for strawberries which I think is about 3.3 euros. I mean we’re at the arse end of the world and we’re complaining …. maybe I’ll count my blessings. Even petrol is cheaper than yours.
Anyway great newsletter thank you. I always sit down with a cuppa to read. France seems a world away …. well it is but reading does make me realise how fortunate we are. So busy counting blessings and trying to decide what to have for dinner. Oh and I’m with you on entertaining by the time dinners ready to go I feel like leaving them to it and heading off to bed with a book!! Cheers Lindsey. Brisbane
Gas/petrol has always been expensive in France - in the U.S. it's now something like $4/gallon which is considered high, but it's normally around €6,50/gallon in France...Romain was shocked at how cheap gas was in America!
Enjoy your company. When I entertain I try to do as much as possible ahead of time. A favorite spring menu is poached salmon served cold with aioli, shaved asparagus dressed with lemon and olive oil, a loaf of bread, rose, and ice cream for dessert. If guests offer I will ask them to pickup some cheese and when they arrive I will ask them to arrange it on a cheese board and serve it. I will also ask them to clear before dinner. Otherwise something very simple like roasted olives or nuts before dinner. I don’t hesitate to ask someone to scoop the ice cream for dessert. I can’t wait for the next update on your apartment.
Make reservations, keep working on that Chocolate Tart, and enjoy your new digs!
The strawberries are worth it! The best strawberries i have ever eaten was in Paris.
A yard in Paris is like a dream. What arrondissement is this? There was a place near where my daughter lived in Montparnasse that had a gated backyard and I would always walk by and gawk at the beautiful garden it held.
We get guests often here in Park City and I agree, cooking and cleaning up is not always fun, so we go out as well. Of course you are a famous chef so I would want your cooking too! Mine? Not so much. Lol.
It's in the 11th. A great thing about having a backyard elsewhere is that you can grill for guests as there are a lot fewer dishes (and less clean-up) but you can't grill in Paris, unfortunately.
You cannot grill in Paris?? Well, perhaps they do not want the grilling smells nor the fire risk. I assume that would be allowed in the more rural areas. I so love Paris.
Forgot to add, love following your adventures remodeling your new apartment. I did a major remodel last year, lot's of decisions. Loving the finished product!
Yes, it gets to be overwhelming having to decide on everything from knob and paint colors to appliances, outlets, shelves, etc. I think my brain is finally full!
😂I had forgotten about all the little decisions. Can’t wait to hear how happy you and Roman will be once it’s completed and you are moved in.
David, I'm with you. I shop my farmer's market, when I want what comes into season I'll buy it. I can cut back somewhere else. Enjoy your strawberries and anything else you want to eat!
Those are the yummiest-looking strawberries ever!! And congratulations on finding a new home with a generous sized yard... I predict many al fresco meals this summer!
David, Thank you for your May 1 Newsletter…your Life and Romain‘s is quite FULL!!!!!! I LOVE mowing and am glad you are eating out!!!!!! I‘m praying your shoulder is healing…did you see that our mutual friend, Jeffrey Morgenthaler, is opening a new bar!!!!!!!!!!!! I ‚met‘ him through your Instagram post during Covid and we‘ve become good friends, thanks to you…Blessings on your renovation!!!!
Let’s see…. When I moved to Rome in 76 I went through three motorini in 8 months and then about 7 bicycles over the next three years. Then I just walked. Good luck with your new bike karma. Rent?
A lot of people are renting in Paris rather than buying. It's amazing how many bikes get stolen. My last bike was a cheap one (around €139) and I figured people wouldn't swipe it...but, nope. The city of Paris said 7000 bicycles were stolen in 2021...yikes.. https://www.leparisien.fr/info-paris-ile-de-france-oise/transports/grand-paris-quand-des-citoyens-cyclistes-pistent-les-velos-voles-sur-les-sites-de-revente-08-01-2022-MUC7QH5NBVFGZB7DTOVTXW7HSM.php
So much joy in this newsletter. A suggestion make the mafe and upside orange cake for your guests. Enjoy their company, drink a cocktail. Guests want your company.
Fig is looking well.
OMG David, you said it exactly! I hate to entertain, but love to cook. You mean after deciding, shopping, cooking all day I have to entertain too? Make small talk? No no no, let's eat! LOL
Thanks for a great newsletter David - I followed every link and was enlightened with some lovely ideas and techniques. Emily’s blog on soufflés was a gem and since I have many bags of boysenberries in my freezer I will experiment with them.
Boysenberries are the best! Wish we got them in Paris, although we get plenty of strawberries ;)
As always, your newsletter fills me with happiness (and makes me feel like I should be cooking more….). So happy for you & Romain that your quest for a new home has ended so brilliantly. The yard! Lawn big enough to be mowed! Bien fait!