Archive for February, 2009


Food Wednesday: “Budget” Paris dining

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

So, despite our observation last week that many restaurants seem to be packed to the gills any hour of the day, any of day the week, this week’s Le Figaroscope insists that the economic crise is affecting the dining scene. (I wish they’d tell that to Pizza Positano, ranked number 3 on Le Fig’s “best pizza” list, […]

Food Wednesday: Best Parisian crepes

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

In yet another “best of” (they are simply tireless!), last week’s Le Figaroscope ranks the best galettes complètes in Paris (photo above, courtesy of Le Figaroscope).
First of all, perhaps you’re wondering, what is a galette complète and how is different from a ham, egg and cheese crêpe? The answer is: they’re pretty much the same. […]

A year in a French market: Recession in Paris?

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Fear not, despite this blog’s title “Cooking the Books,” and all the references to the “market” and “recession” we are not dipping into weighty matters of the economy. For one thing, I don’t understand economics. 
But shopping in the Boulevard Raspail market these past few weeks, and walking by all the empty stalls, I couldn’t help […]

Dining Out and About (Barcelona): Tapas! Tapas! Tapas!

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

Hola, amigos! Sorry for brief pause — I was on deadline for a story — but am back now to follow up with my eating adventures in Barcelona. Which can be summed up in three words: Many. Delicious. Tapas.
Let’s see… when we left off, it was snowing in Madrid and we were trying to keep […]

Dining Out and About: Restaurants in Madrid

Friday, February 6th, 2009

Bonjour, mes amis — or perhaps I should say, hola! I’ve been in Madrid and Barcelona, you see, which explains this week’s light posting. But I’m back now, and ready to dish on all the delicious Spanish food that I stuffed into mouth at every opportunity. Oh, tapas, you little bite-sized rascals, I find you simply irresistible! 
Our […]