Gelato al Limone

After a strenuous session with the cute though slightly smelly kiné, I decided to stop by my favorite Italian traiteur for a little caffè. One thing led to another and when Francesco proposed a taste of the freshly made (by a Chinese dude might I add) pistachio gelato, I gave in without much hesitation. I don’t usually like pistachio or any nut unless it’s in the form of Nutella, but when it’s gelato and it’s free, I do not say no.

I should have remembered that my food-willpower is really quite below average. After tasting the fresh, creamy non-nutty pistachio gelato, I had to spring for a trio of lemon gelato made with fresh lemons from Sorrento in the south of Italy, a streaky soft caramel gelato and of course Bacio (from the famous “Baci by Perugina” chocolates, made from dark chocolate and finely chopped hazelnuts). I of course dug in with gusto before remembering to whip out my crackberry to record the moment...

What started this “débauche” were the damn lemons. I didn’t think of myself as a picky eater but I’m actually not a lemon person either. However, seeing the basket of beautiful Sorrento, also called “femminello” lemons (what a luscious sounding name to the untrained ear!) on the counter, convinced me to give the lemon gelato a try. At first I was not taken with its tanginess, thought I don’t know what else I was expecting from something lemon-flavored…then I was pleasantly surprised by a slightly sweet aftertaste which rounded it all out nicely.

As a non-lemon expert, maybe that’s how it’s supposed to taste anyway, but I have a hunch that what made this gelato special is the use of those gorgeous Sorrento lemons, which reminded me of a past sun-drenched vacation along the Amalfi coast. These lemons have earned IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) recognition and are most commonly known for making limoncello liquor (I’ll have another!). The fruit is medium- to large-sized, elliptical in shape, very fragrant and has a characteristic combination of citrus acid and sugar. They are only grown in the Sorrento peninsula and on the island of Capri, of Blue Grotto fame.

I must have looked quite happy savoring my mountain of gelato because I managed to convince another customer to join in my gourmandise and subsequently share his life history with me… Guess that guide to schmoozing really came in handy! It also earned me the comment that women are the source of all temptation and that the Chinese are going to take over the world, but that’s another story!

Mon Café à Moi

So, remember when I said I boycotted “my” local café because they changed owners and the service became crap? Well, when I saw a big “Changement de Direction” sign and a new name on the café, I was intrigued. I walked in this weekend and was greeted with an almost overeager, overfriendly service. WTF? What the heck happened here? Friendly service? In Paris? In my formerly beloved café that has let me down so much that I couldn’t set foot within for 2 years?! I could actually feel a real EFFORT to satisfy the clients. What a concept! The former owners are back!

I had a surprisingly good day, starting with a visit to the “Prefecture de Police” to get my visa renewed. It has been an ordeal so far but I was pleasantly surprised when I got a “recipissé de demande” after only half an hour. Although I will have to go back in December (I sent in my application in August, mind you) to get my real visa, at least I have an extension of my visa now.

After class, I had an interview / meeting with my new boss at the restaurant. Although it doesn’t have any Michelin stars, it seems to have a pretty good reputation. The chef kept insisting that I must show my motivation all the time…which will be difficult – especially when I’m dead on my feet. While it is pretty exciting to be starting a new adventure, it’s also a bit scary. The chef seems to have high expectations and I’ll be working many many hours. Very tough, especially for me – I’m used to sitting on my a** at least 14 hrs a day - and I’ll only have Sunday and Monday off so my social life will really take a real hit…

Anyway, the best news of the day is: I was in a good mood so I walked in to “my” café, and lo and behold who do I get reunited with but the famous barman from my first months in Paris. He even recognized me and introduced me to everyone as an old, loyal client! I guess I must have spent a lot of money or made a big impression there in the past… I had only planned to spend 15 minutes max there but an older gentleman bought me some drinks and I ended up chatting it up with them like old friends for an hour an a half. Why oh why do I finally start feeling like I fit in when I am getting ready to leave??

Just Another Sunday

It’s the little things that get me every time. After an uneventful Sunday morning doing apprentice chef homework, which funnily resembles the monkey work I used to do at Lehman, I spent the noon hour whipping up some home-style Taiwanese food. Fried chicken, sautéed veg and rice. Mmmm…

I then canceled my afternoon swim lesson because I still have a bit of difficulty breathing due to a cold and “bronchite” from 2 weeks ago. Not being able to breathe in the pool would be a bad thing because your normally courageous reporter has a panic button that tends to overreact in the pool. And to think I was actually considering taking up surfing…

Anyway, I used the extra half hour for a cozy nap and moseyed over to church to sing in the worship team (band) for the first time since high school. This is definitely a year of firsts, or first-time-in-a-long-times. When I got there we realized there were no instrumentalists but thanks to a lot of prayer and pep talks we finally worked something out. I got thrown in the deep end and didn’t really even know some of the songs but it was still a great experience and I’m glad I was scheduled to start this week when there was a need for extra bodies.

The day ended on a sweet note when still warm from communion wine, I got a ride home on a super luxe scooter under a drizzly Parisian sky. It was the first time I noticed the “dame de fer” dressed in her latest designer robe – red and blue skirt and silver top, illuminating the autumn night. I truly am a lucky lady, huh?

Une Vrai Parisienne (sometimes)

The Paris-based American pastry chef and food writer, David Lebovitz (who I met!!), declared that he realized he had become a real Parisian when he felt the need to get properly dressed to take out the trash because after all, you WILL be judged on how you look over here. I, however, feel most Parisian when shopkeepers recognize me as a “regular”. It first happened at “my” café across the street with the cute bartender, which I had to ditch when it got bought out and gained 20 years in a day. I was also a regular at an Asian traiteur (deli / caterer) in Passy (I know I know) and a brasserie by my old office. The sad thing is when I walk into my new café (young and hip like me, ha!) and they immediately know what I want to drink, which usually isn’t water…


Today I stopped by a little Italian traiteur on the way home from class. The chef was there and coerced me into having an espresso like I used to do after my physical therapy sessions last year. I’m such a granny with my injuries (from classical ballet and charging at people with a sabre) and old habits sometimes! It’s so nice to be treated as a “valued customer” in Paris, where I usually feel like I’m intruding if I dare to want to buy something. I bought some stuffed foccacia, crocche, arancino, baby bread and green bean salad and he didn’t even charge me for the coffee! Or maybe he just forgot. Hmm…