Paris at a Certain Age

Fractal Food

I noticed this vegetable in a Paris marché a few years ago but didn't have the French language skills to ask what the heck it was. I've never seen it in the US, even here in Northern California, foodie capital of the West. I especially love its geometry and rosettes that are fractal formations. Is it broccoli? Cauliflower? After a little research, I've discovered it's called Romanesque Broccoli here in the US and Chou Romanesco or brocoli à pomme in France.
Although I'm not much of a cook, I definitely plan on buying one and tasting it. If my attempts to prepare it fail, I'll stick with using it as a centerpiece or vegetable sculpture.

Paris Wish List: Food

National Public Radio recently ran a story about Saveur magazine’s annual list of "favorite restaurants, food, drink, people, places and things”. I’m more of a People magazine kind of person than a Gourmet or Bon Appetit gal, but my son has a chef’s soul and a subscription.
So I was able to read about the oldest chocolatier in Paris, Debauve & Gallais.
They carry stamp-sized wafers of chocolates that are 99% cacao which makes them more bitter than typical sugar loaded chocolates. Supposedly they are sublime when paired with sip of whiskey or cognac.

On past trips to Paris I’ve enjoyed the chocolates at Cacao et Chocolat (they have Aztec-petroglyph style gold designs embossed on them).

But now I’ve put bitter chocolate and cognac on my Paris To Do List.