McDo

After a Paris weekend filled with culture, I decided to enjoy the beautiful weather we were blessed with that weekend, and stroll along the Seine River. It was almost too pretty to be inside that day, even though, as I've posted preciously, what I was seeing inside the typically closed buildings was incredibly beautiful.

I walked across the Alexander Bridge,

passed by the Petit Palais,

and then hopped on the metro to go and see the new phenomenal Apple store

in the Carrousel du Louvre, an underground section of the Louvre with shops and a food court.

Having worked up a thirst from all the walking, I headed to the dining area of the Carrousel, where I found the recently opened McCafé,

or "McDo" as the French call it. I remembered there had been quite an uproar over the insertion of McDo into the underground area attached to the Louvre, but 

I was unprepared to see the view afforded those dining in style. While enjoying your Big Mac, you have the view of the remains of the original fortress built by Philip II in the 12th century, the earliest foundations of what is known today as the Louvre.

Interestingly enough, this cafe marks the 30th anniversary of the first McDonald's in France. With restaurants numbering almost 1150, the French market is the biggest market outside of the US.

I found some of their new technology to be fascinating. You can step up to this kiosk, place your order on the screen, pay with a credit card, and then,

Voilà, you pick up your order at the EasyOrder counter. How cool is that?

And what's a French McDonald's without fancy pastries,

and an assortment of those ubiquitous French macarons,

offered for your take-out pleasure?

You may think it's sacrilege to stop at a McCafé while in the gourmet capital of the world, but when you want a cold, icy Coke and a bathroom in a pinch, McDo's is my kind of place!

As they say in France...C'est tout ce que j'aime--

I'm lovin' it!

Macaron Sighting in Houston

For all my Houston readers, I spotted some macarons last Saturday here in Houston at the Kuhl-Linscomb (pronounce that cool!) store located right off the intersection of Alabama and Kirby. Supplied by Maison Burdisso, there were several flavors to try. When you go to the Maison Burdisso website, you will see that they are also for sell at the Saturday Midtown Farmer's Market and the Tuesday afternoon Houston Farmer's Market on the Rice University Campus.  To my sons, one who lives in Midtown and one who works on the Rice University Campus, are you reading this??? Let me know if anyone tries them out!

Macarons in London

Are you in love with macarons, like I am? Please note, they are not what we call "macaroons" in the US, but instead a delicate cookie pastry with a cream filling which is known for its intense and sometimes interesting flavors. Paris is known for the best macarons in the world, and that is where I first grew to love them.

The most famous seller of macarons can be found at the world renowned Ladurée in Paris, (love their website) and now located in a few other cities around the world, as well. They sell 15,000 macarons a day in Paris alone. A trip to Paris for me is not complete without some lemon and chocolate macarons--some I eat on the spot and others I bring back home. The range of flavors and colors tease you on each visit, but I stick to my tried and true flavors of choice.

Luckily for me, living in London part time, there are now two locations here--one on Piccadilly Street and one in Harrod's ("No pictures, madam!") Here you see a photo of the Ladurée window in Paris.

Running a close second behind Ladurée is Pierre Hermé in Paris, whose Left Bank shop often has customers lined up outside the door. Big news for London is the recent opening of Pierre Hermé in the Selfridges department store in London as seen here.

When I was in London this past visit, it was one of the first places I had to check out to see how it compared to the original patisserie in Paris. I was not disappointed--the selection of flavors was so tempting. Choices included passion fruit with chocolate, quince with rose, salted caramel, pistachio, dark chocolate with black currant, and my selection for the day- strawberry with balsamic vinegar. Delicious! Pierre Hermé is known to be very creative with flavors and features several new flavors each season--just as the designers change their collections for the season.

Today, March 20 is the Jour du Macaron day in Paris--Macaron Day! At Pierre Hermé and a few other patisseries in Paris and around the world, customers will line up for a selection of 3 free macarons. In return, it is customary to give a donation at the door to a selected charity. Pierre Hermé created the idea 5 years ago, and it has been a huge success each year. Let's see, 3 free for me, get back in line for 3 more, and then get back in line for....

Houston, are you listening? Macarons are all the rage--who's going to step up and fill the orders here?