Day 25-31 : Je suis malade...

Bonjour mes amis! Oui, I'm still alive!!

So sorry I've been MIA this past week, but unfortunately I've been terribly sick :-( Silly as it might sound, I actually bit my tongue while napping last week and did not take it easy over the weekend as I should have. Ended up paying for it this week as I could no longer eat, talk... or even laugh with the excruciating pain :-( In the end, I was forced not to talk and go on a liquids-only diet, which I must say is torture here in Paris with all the delicious boulangeries and pâtisseries taunting me on every street corner! Good news, though--after two days of rest, happy to say it looks like I'm finally on my way to a speedy recovery :-)

Now that I'm starting to feel a lot better, I guess it's safe to return to the scene of the crime and share with you my little guilty pleasure last Sunday that was partially to blame for the pain I later suffered this week...

Ladurée |  Champs-Élysées, 8e arrondissement 

Yes, that's right. Ladurée. Bored out of my mind and with almost every place closed on Sunday in Paris, I couldn't think of any other place to better entertain myself than Ladurée on the Champs-Élysées :-) Admittedly, this isn't first, second, or even third time I've been here... Nevertheless, I thought I'd come back anyway and check it out again for the millionth time. Why you ask? Well, because we all know Ladurée is one of the best pâtisseries in town! and frankly, with all the yummy desserts on display, seriously, how can you ever say "No?"

Grand entrance @ Ladurée |  Champs-Élysées, 8e arrondissement

Hmm, wondering what's inside the green bag? Well, if you guessed macarons... Haha, you're wrong!

Trés jolie! | Ladurée 

I know, I know... I always come to chez Ladurée for the maracons, and I must confess that's the only thing I've tried on their menu. However, what few seem to realize (except the local Parisians themselves) is that Ladurée also makes one of the best religieuses in town! I came across this interesting fact while browsing through my foodie blogs earlier on Sunday and decided I had to taste it for myself...

Day 22 : Part Trois - The pâtisserie tour continues... Angelina!

Finally, after a day out at the museums, Miss Y and I decided to talk a stroll across the Seine and check out another pâtisserie near the Louvre... Angelina! Voted as one of the best pastry shops in Paris, we knew we had to make a stop here, and I must say we had a delicious time indeed :-)

In terms of the desserts, while they may not have been as orgasmic as the ones we tasted at our visit to La Pâtisserie des Rêves, the treats were still very yummy and definitely worth the trip! Also, unlike the modern flair of the tea room at La Pâtisserie des Rêves, Angelina's parlor room offers a little more touch of traditional French elegance and sophistication that invites you to stay and chat with your girlfriends for hours... Yasuyo and I sure know--we ended up closing the place down and left just before they shut the doors at 7:00pm! Definitely a great way to end a perfect day in Paris :-)

Angelina | 3e arrondissement 

 Lovely mosaic. | Angelina

Dessert time!! | Angelina 

"Ooooo! Now how do I decide...?!" | Angelina  

"May one of these?" | Angelina 

Day 16 : Charming Corner Bakery + Yummy Goodness > Fashion "Research"!

Bonjour from rainy Paris! Unfortunately the weather has turned gray here on the other side of the Atlantic, but glad to say that didn't stopped Yasuyo and I from venturing out :-) Joining us on our little adventure this time was her friend Danni visiting all the way from New York! (ah, how I miss the Big Apple...) Anyway, after two weeks in Paris, Miss Y and I were getting a little tired of the usually touristy shopping meccas (Le Bon Marché, GL, and Printemps) and really wanted to discover more of the "local" fashion scene in Paris. Thankfully, Charline, a new study group buddy from class, suggested that we check out a few streets in the 10e arrondissement, rue Beaurepaire and rue de Marseille. Well, Charline didn't disppoint us...

In many ways, the scene reminded me a lot of the boutiques on Mulberry Street and Elizabeth Street of Nolita in New York. Rue Beaurepaire and rue de Marseille were peppered with a couple of vintage stores, a cool gift shop and a handful and awesome Parisian up-and-coming designers. Notable mentions include a great Cashmere/knitwear store, Marie-Sixtine, and hip young brand, Des Petits Hauts. Though, oddly enough, my favorite find of the day ended up being nothing fashion related at all! Instead, while strolling on way back to the Metro, we also stumbled upon this gem tucked away on a street corner of Rue Yves Toudic... Du Pain et Des Idées! 

Du Pain et Des Idées | 10e arrondissement

At first, Du Pain et Des Idées looked liked your typical charming little corner bakery in Paris, though we found it quite odd that was a long queue out the door at almost 7pm...? Could it seriously be that good? 

Day 7 : Let the pâtisserie tour begin...

Okay, I have a confession to make: I didn't come to France because I wanted to study luxury brand management @ ESSEC. No, the truth is I just wanted an excuse to come back and tour all of the best pâtisseries in Paris! Admittedly, Americans haven't quite mastered the art of desserts like the French have--something I miss dearly from my old life living in Europe.

Mission for the next three months: find the ultimate dessert in Paris. We all know I love the French macaron (especially if it's from Pierre Hermé!); however, I've decided to take on the new challenge to find something even better. If I'm lucky, 100 times better!

First stop on my 2012 Parisian Dessert Tour: La Pâtisserie des Rêves. This gorgeous little pastry shop has two locations in Paris (7e and 16e), though only the shop on 111 rue Longchamp actually has a little cafe where you can sit and enjoy their wonderful yummy creations. Inside you'll find a simply stunning display of all the gorgeous pastries on the menu!

As for the desserts themselves, I must confess I did find one that's giving the PH's macaron a run for its money--Le Paris-Brest! Words alone cannot describe how insanely delicious (and heavenly) this dessert tasted. For this reason, I shall just leave you to drool at my pictures below and pray that one day you may have the chance to come to Paris and taste it for yourself :-)

La Pâtisserie des Rêves | 16e arrondissement

I am in heaven...! | desserts on display @ La Pâtisserie des Rêves

Correction: I am in chocolate heaven...! | Le Grand Cru

My favorite dessert on the menu... I could eat only this for the rest of my life. | Le Paris-Brest