Writing on the wall

I LOVE Paris signs.

I love the typography... I love what they say: mille-feuilles, tarte fine aux pommes. Cheescake I could do without.

I love seeing the hours written in script on the door, but I don't love showing up and they're ferme/closed.
Patisserie Secco decided to repaint their doggie on the wall. Why? Were the neighbors upset to lose the old doggie?

 La cadeaux is such a French concept.

Jean-Paul Hevin doesn't need words - just macarons.

I can not resist reading these authorized bread prix lists. I have no idea why? This one - Gerard Mulot's vitrine.

Self-explanatory.

This not-so-little piggy read the writing on the vitrine and is about to enter. He hesitates. A few doors down Patisserie Gerard Mulot, where you can easily make a pig of yourself.
With this enticing sign in the window.
Which would you choose?

BONJOUR WRITING ON THE WALL!

Paris Signs

 Paris signs makes me want to dream.Merci Hediard.

When you're departing Paris on the Eurostar to London, you're encouraged to buy French parfums so you can feel more Parisienne - last chance!
Or to find your inner chat? Go try to find the thing in the Gare du Nord or understand the signs for that matter? Has this happened to you? The Paris Metro is another story. I love reading their signs like this one for a family ticket to the Louvre... The Metro is a goldmine of signs...

 Regarde! A French Girl who is peut-etre perdu/lost?

No need to worry about do not enter oneway signs if you're walking...

Do stop and peruse the menus/ardoises dans la rue...

Why do I always come to Patisserie Secco on the day (lundi) they're closed?

Why did they have to go and repaint the adorable dog on the wall at Secco? Dommage...

Here's a sign I can't resist...

Why must I read every porte-etiquette/pastry sign in every vitrine?

A 'sign' in the vitrine that needs no words. Macarons at super classe patisserie Hugo et Victor.

You can wear Paris signs on your arm if you buy a bag at Barbara Rihl (Pierre Herme's wife) 1, rue du Juillet 75001

Or just paint directly on your sleeve like this girl in the Metro.

Moi, je t'aime PARIS SIGNS!

Meilleurs chaussons aux pommes

Better close your eyes today PBers. You're in for some rough going. Gather your strength for an homage to the lovely golden chaussons aux pommes.

Blame Le Figaro for reminding s of les chaussons many joys. Le Figaro did another one of their superb test des meilleurs. Natruellement I immediatement searched through all pics for Chaussons I've eaten or admired in Paris. I did not come up empty-handed. Do watch the Le Figaro video...

et voila! My fav chausson is fromThis no-name/anonymes boulangerie on rue de Rennes...
Who knew to look for chaussons aux pommes here? Boulangerie Des Pains et Des Idees has a rather grand exterior... This French mommy seems to have filled her poussette with bread. Where is bebe? The interior of Des Pain etc. is nothing to sniff.
Well worth a visit if you like to gawk at antique fixtures. I do. The viennoisserie look absolutely glorious Do they not? Still I prefer my boulangerie anonymes to Les Pain bla bla.

At least Poilane sticks with a 2-syllable family name, even if it is unpronounceble to most of us...

Their chaussons aux pommes de chez Poilane look too rustic. I prefer more pomme and less pastry. But what do I know? As Audrey of a Fr. perfume site said yesterday (she was not wearing any perfume!),

"You write about cakes and you do not eat cupcakes"

Guilty as charged.

Do you like Poilane's chaussons aux pommes?

The French are completement fou/crazy for these mini-baker figurines.They are a bit better then Hummel I guess.

The golden winner of Le Figaro's intensive research comes from Des Gateaux et Des Pains.

Since j'adore this pastry so much I re-wrote un petit chanson to des chaussons aux pommes, I was that inspired.

Hey chausson let me tell you why,
I can't live my life without you,oh chausson aux pommeeverytime I see you dans la vitrine I get a thrill
you dont notice me but in time you will,

I must make you understand.....
~
chorus:

I wanna be your man (I wanna be your man)
I wanna be your man (I do yeah,yeah)
I wanna be your man (I wanna be your man)
I wanna be your man (I wanna be your man)
~
Better not pass me by,cause if you do you'll lose a good
thing, (oh chausson de pomme)

Cause what I got to say is sealed with a bouche/bite
and a wedding ring (wedding ring)
My mind is blind at times
I can't see any one but you
Those other chausson aux pomme don't matter no they can't spoil my view
I must make you understand.....

Chez L'Ami Jean

 Dinner for breakfast at bistro Chez L'Ami JeanYou ask me where to eat dinner - go to L'Amie Jean and you'll not be disappointed. It's a bit cher but worth it. 34 euros for the prix fix. Inside is full of rustic ambience... The menu ardoise brought to the table - so start practicing reading chalky scrawl or just point and hope. The food and interior is Basque.

Nice Spanish details and very good homey bread from down the street at Secco Jamon from Spain...

Chef, Stephane Jégo throws around the bacon but it's paper thin and adds just a hint of surprise flavor to the dishes, almost like eating air.

 My order first visit to L'ami Jean...

 Anne had l'homard the second visit. Many dishes are happenings. Things are poured, tossed or cut a table adding drama and fun.

 A foamy mystery dessert Anne had. L'Ami Jean is famous for their Riz au lait ‘grand-mère’ en service - a huge heaping bowl of rice pudding you serve yourself.

A surpise ending -we were given take-away box full of guimauve/marshmallows.

I love their little business card.

For more detailed descriptions visit Food Snob. If you plan to go Figaro says to reserve one week ahead.
BONJOUR L'Ami Jean!