LIving the Sweet Life in Paris; Food Blogger David Lebovitz

Brian's wife (Maggie) recently sent to him the following blog by Food Writer and Chef, David Lebovitz, shown here to the right.

Lebovitz is an interesting person, as he worked at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA, with Alice Waters and the pastry Chef, Lindsey Shere, whom he considers his mentor.  So, he is very much grounded in the idea of high quality, healthy food.

Living the Sweet Life in Paris

In 1999, Lebovitz moved to Paris, where he presently lives.One of his most recent books (shown to the left) and his blog are devoted to living a life of food in Paris.

The blog is really useful if you want accessible ways into cooking French food and, more broadly, cooking in general.

The book is great food sociology!  One thing, in particular, is Lebovitz's discussion of food etiquette in Paris.

Brian can relate to iron-clad issue of food etiquette in Paris!  While in Paris, recently, Brian was sitting at a bistro watching this couple eat a cream puff pasty covered in chocolate.  With the most subtle and nimble of gestures, fork and knife in hand, they ate this thing without making one bit of a mess.  Not a flake!

Living the Sweet Life in Cleveland

Obsessed, Brian returned to Willoughby, Ohio, determined to eat his way to such perfection. Well, he is still trying.

The local Heinen's in Willoughby--one of the best family owned grocery stores in Cleveland, by the way; and a place where everyone should shop--had been touting their own fresh, locally-made cream-puff-pastries-with-chocolate.  Ugh!  Purchasing one, Brian brought it home, convinced to not only enjoy this gift from the gods, but also to eat it Paris-style.  No luck.  We mean, no luck at all!

Forks and knives in hand, Brian and his wife (Maggie) and their daughter (Ruby) just sat there, staring at the pastry.  "How," Ruby asked, "Are we to do this?"

Laughing, Maggie tried to cut the thing--but it just smushed!  "Here, let me try," announced Brian, as if trained by pastry chefs in Bordeaux.  To no avail: nothing but mess, everywhere!  Ugh!  Finally Ruby tried...  again no luck.  "Maybe," said Brian, "We need sharper knives?"  C'mon....

Castellani family decision needed?  Unanimous group conclusion: C'est la vie! Everyone just dove in, American style, like little piggies.

Sometimes living the sweet life in Cleveland means knowing when to throw etiquette out the door.

Bien manger nos amis!

p.s. If anyone can tell us how such things can be eaten properly, please do!