I spent last weekend in New York, visiting a friend who recently moved there. It was freezing by Los Angeles standards, in the 40s and raining, but that didn't stop us from walking all over the West Village, Soho and Chelsea, exploring, shopping, and eating. It was a rare weekend away from the kids, in a city I love to visit. I didn't have much time to read, except on the plane rides. But I did finish David Lebovitz's food memoir, The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City. I really enjoyed his conversational style, his funny anecdotes about living among Parisians, and especially his recipes. Lebovitz learned the pastry chef trade at Chez Panisse, and writes wonderful cookbooks and a blog that I love to check for recipes. I love how he writes about chocolate, because chocolate is something I can't live without.
So when my friend gave a dinner party for me in New York, I pulled out the book and made David Lebovitz's Mocha Creme Fraiche cake for dessert. It's a dense, chocolate-y, flourless wonder, and it was a big hit, and the recipe is definitely a keeper. I'll be pulling it out the next time I'm entertaining any chocolate lovers.
Now I'm back in good ol' 80-degree Los Angeles weather, kind of missing my New York gloves, boots, scarf and wool coat. Maybe I'll get to pull them out again when we all head up north to San Francisco next weekend...
So when my friend gave a dinner party for me in New York, I pulled out the book and made David Lebovitz's Mocha Creme Fraiche cake for dessert. It's a dense, chocolate-y, flourless wonder, and it was a big hit, and the recipe is definitely a keeper. I'll be pulling it out the next time I'm entertaining any chocolate lovers.
Now I'm back in good ol' 80-degree Los Angeles weather, kind of missing my New York gloves, boots, scarf and wool coat. Maybe I'll get to pull them out again when we all head up north to San Francisco next weekend...
Posts
11 comments:
Even the name of that recipe sounds sinfully good!
Food memoirs...sigh...yum...
Oh it's so nice, just occasionally, to be released from the demands of children! Sounds like you had a wonderful time and the cake.... well, just wow!
Ooh, this just went on the wish list! I really enjoy food memoirs, and that cake sounds amazing.
We had some fall weather a couple of weeks ago, but now summer's back. Drat. Come back, autumn!
rhapsodyinbooks--if you like chocolate, you'll like this one!
Bybee--I know, I love food memoirs. They combine two of my favorite things, reading and eating!
litlove--I so rarely get away without the kids, and I think it is necessary for my sanity--it was a lovely break. With chocolate!
Florinda--It really is a charming little book, and so far the recipes I've tried are great. I know--are we ever going to have autumn around here?
Paris, food, chocolate? I'm in!
Yes, you will need your coat and possibly your umbrella when you come to SF.
I think I'm following you around. I just bought plane tickets to NY (although I'm not going til May) and my mom and I are going to SF next week to see the King Tut exhibit.
StephanieD--I will bring them both! I'm so wimpy after living in LA (though I'm from the Bay Area)!
Jill--Hey, you are following me! I saw the Tut exhibit down here--that sounds like a fun thing to do with Mom!
Did you visit any bookstores while there??
i keep meaning to read david's book, but right now i'm all caught up in james ellroy. it was really lovely to meet you today!
This book is perfect. I have been researching truly what is like to live in Paris and where all the truly great places to was are and this book gave exactly what I was looking for. Hilarious and entertaining with the occasional drool worthy recipe thrown in there. If you are Paris lover this is for you.
Penelope
Inflow
Post a Comment