Paris, A Dessert Lover’s Guide
June 25, 2009
Chocolate
I must admit, it’s rather easy to find three delicious dessert spots in Paris. In fact, I feel like I am cheating. But, you should know that these three venues were recommended to me when I visited. It would be simply wrong of me to withhold this information.
First, lets talk chocolate.
Nearly every block has delicious chocolate. Particularly for us westerners, who have had our senses ruined by years of mass-produced, boring and choco-tame kisses and cups. If you’d like to charge your chocolate memory, go to “Café Angelina” and order the Chocolat l’Africain.
Upon serving, it arrives in 3 separate elements. First, is the standard Parisian mug. It’s oversized, white and ceramic. It says “France” all in one object. Next, you are given a crystal dish holding freshly made whipped cream (think “Fancy Feast” commercial, without the cat food!). And finally, a small pitcher of melted dark chocolate arrives. This is when you know it is serious. You blend the crème with the chocolate, to your taste of course, and the result is a high-producing cocoa that cannot help but leave you giddy.
Next up - Ice Cream (what else).
Paris, like all of France, has delicious and fresh ice cream. (Note - please avoid the mainstream shops like Haagen-Dazs. They are traps for tourists. Go local, for Heaven’s sake!) The finest in France is none other than “Berthillon” on the western tip of the Ile Saint-Louis. Once finished with your trip through the Notre Dame Cathedral, cross the bridge and glance to the right where you will find the world-famous “Berthillon”. Inside, it feels like a standard Bistro. But, this particular venue stands out for its ice cream. The sorbet is also truly delicious, but the cream itself will ruin state-side ice cream forever. My favorite? Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream, with all of the ingredients being completely real and completely fresh.
Finally, no dessert list for Paris is complete without a bakery.
The finest in all of Paris is Poilane. I prefer the location on rue du Cherche-Midi as it’s more cozy and feels more original. I once traveled with a well-known macrobiotic choreographer. He would ask me - daily - to visit Poilane and get him fresh bread for his lunches. Upon arrival, I always found a line. But, the nice thing about Paris is that people know what they want. There is no fooling around at all, and the line moves quickly. As for pastries, I have heard that Pierre Herme has opened a patisserie on rue Bonaparte. I can only imagine how extraordinary his cake’s and pastries are. He is one of France’s finest, so certainly worth the visit.
Article brought to you courtesy of Sea land Travel Club.
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