74 Comments
Nov 7Liked by David Lebovitz

Having just come home after a week in hospital for emergency surgery I am enjoying every word here David. Had a chuckle about your appliance fixation as my husband has 3 small free standing freezers in our basement and 1 fridge and 2 freezers in our garage. We are Americans in New England so everything is much bigger than in Europe! We have enough freezer space to stock with food to feed a village!!

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I am just now catching up on my substack reading and this post just hit perfectly today. A perfect respite from all the political noise.

When my daughter attended AUP for a semester a few years ago, I was in Paris a lot. I miss it. The beauty, just everywhere. The vibrancy, but also the calmness. I need to go back. Soon. Look forward to your new cookbook as well. Cookbooks are my go to during tough times. I’ll need more cookbooks in the coming years!

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Nov 6Liked by David Lebovitz

After the unbelievable outcome of our election that effectively will end democracy, a funny and pithy

bit from you about whatever would be most welcome. Also hard to believe it will be so long to wait

for your new book. Hugs to you and Romain. Kate in Boca- Adjacent

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Nov 6Liked by David Lebovitz

Hard to read this the day of the elections to end democracy here. Enjoy it while you have it there.

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A wonderful newsletter as usual, Daveed. I always learn so much even though I lived in Paris "dans le temps" and visit as often as I can. As for the "crottes de chien," this year and last I found the sidewalks cleaner. Was that just my imagination? For a translation of Early Bird Café, how about "Le Matinal?" Finalement, thanks for mentioning our local Minneapolis treasure, Zoë François.

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Yes the streets (or sidewalks) seem to be a lot cleaner than they used to be. The city has also been trying to tackle cigarette butts as well, which are a major source of pollution in the Seine as well with public ashtrays.

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Nov 3Liked by David Lebovitz

Great newsletter. Now I know why no Instagram shopping show & tell for awhile! Thanks😎

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Instagram (and Facebook) decide what you're going to see via their algorithm. It's pretty irksome (and why I moved to a newsletter...)

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À la mère de famille! Pictures of that amazing shop always make me nostalgic. I used to live just around the corner... Useless to say I was a regular customer. Now, I come there only once in a while, when I'm in Paris. But I've got their book! Which, by the way, is interesting, but their recipes are written "à la française", that is, much less detailed than yours, for instance, and lacking, of course, all possible useful tips & tricks, because you are supposed not to need them...

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I think the kids took over the business and kept what was good about it (the traditions...) and updated a few things, but not too much - which is nice because a number of businesses here (Ladurée, The Grand Épicerie, etc.) do a big remodel, and they lose what made them special.

Yes, cookbooks here tend to be...um, less precise and a little vague on details. Some get translated but they often do quirky things; I've seen recipes translated into imperial measurements, that call for things like 5/9th of a tablespoon of cream, and using superfine sugar instead of granulated sugar. Superfine has it's place but it's hard to find in the U.S. and doesn't matter in things like poaching liquid : -)

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Nov 3Liked by David Lebovitz

I hope your new book is skewed more to savory than sweet. I am hopeless at desserts--my go to is vanilla ice cream topped with amarena cherries with biscotti on the side (which I can now make thanks to your recipe for crispy olive things in MY PARIS KITCHEN, I realized that recipe was for savory biscotti). I love your commentary on tourists. I feel like a tourist in my home city of Brooklyn, and I find that people treat me well or rudely depending. I think that is just about people. Some are wonderful and some are, well, you get it. Thanks as always for your beautiful commentaries.....

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Nov 3Liked by David Lebovitz

David, you touched a chord in me with the jambon beurre sandwich you mention. We live in little Door County, WI and Joel owns a small coffee shop there. He is from Brittany, and makes a few wonderful sandwiches, including jambon buerre. Best I have had since Paris. Filling and tasty. The baguette part is excellent. He has also started baking kouign Aman. I feel a little bit of France every time I stop in. I appreciate you mentioning these little pleasures in life!

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Wondering where in Door Cty this coffee shop is? Grew up near there in Wis. and visit every summer (from Colorado ). Would love a good jambon buerre!

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Hello David, did you see where they have arrested a 63 year old man regarding the theft of the cheese. But guess what, he has been released pending further enquires. 🧀

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Nov 3·edited Nov 3Author

Yes. They didn't mention the nationality but he was posing as a rep for a French supermarket chain: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg57yr2dqd2o

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The first time I ever went to Paris I fell in love le jambon beurre. It is still my fave while visiting Paris

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Nov 2Liked by David Lebovitz

David, thanks so much for your piece on enjoying the small things in life. It’s far too easy to become annoyed or angry with those around us who seem inconsiderate, in a rush or just plain rude. I try to do my best everyday to capture the joy of being alive. We are all very anxious here in the states, wondering what will transpire on Tuesday, Election Day. We are hoping for calm, peace and a declaration that democracy is alive and well. I’ll look forward to your book and by all means, keep us informed of life in Paris. I love all the photos, your descriptions of your adventures in the city and most of all the food you create or have experiened.

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Nov 2Liked by David Lebovitz

Hi David, love your newsletter and all the recommendations you make that I saved in google maps for our trip. We spent 8 days in Paris two weeks ago and I wanted to thank you for the recommendations you post on your website and in your newsletter. We had a food tour with La Cuisine Paris ( Aux Merveilleux de Fred! Kouignettes from Georges Larnicol), a ham sandwich Le Petite Vendôme, galettes at Breizh Café Montorgueil. I can’t wait to see your new cookbook! Oh and we’ve lived in CA for ten years this month and I still take pics at the farmers market, I cannot help it. 😀 Thanks again!

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glad you had a good trip!

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Nov 2Liked by David Lebovitz

Lol… my husband did the same as you, only he received lamb livers, something he wouldn’t normally eat, ht he did say they were quite tasty. Thank you for the links, particularly the one about the cheese theft and how yo save yourself if choking. I ordered two copies of Sift for two of our grandchildren who love to bake. I will look forward to the time your new book is published, a bit of a wait, but I’m a patient soul.

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Her video was so good - I want her to be my doctor!

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Nov 2Liked by David Lebovitz

I instantly thought of several smart-ass comments to make about the French being rude, but then I thought about the New French Wave, and Hugo, and Coco, and Gabin, and Dior, and Gaugin, and Piaf, and Cocteau - in the end I forgave them.

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A friend of mine was in SF and he asked a transit employee a question, and the guy replied that he wasn't working at that moment, and called him "an as*hole." So there are rude people everywhere - Paris has a high concentration of what my friend Jane (in her book, The French Ingredient) called "alphas" and everyone wants to be in front of everybody else, etc...and it can be difficult if you're trying to do simple things, like, say...wait in line, and the person behind you is stressing out because they're behind you. But you just can't think about them ; )

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Nov 1Liked by David Lebovitz

Thanks so much for this newsletter. I feel like I have a longtime friend in Paris who is keeping me up to date on his goings-on. Good to know you are doing well! We'll chat next month? A bientot! (and no, I have no idea how to type the circonflex).

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