The 5 Best Things I Ate in Paris {Part 1}

July 8, 2014 By Andrea

As soon as I knew I would have the opportunity to visit Paris again, I immediately started making a list of things I would like to eat. Paris reminds me of New York with having just about any type of cuisine available that you can imagine, and I LOVE that! Italy doesn’t have so much of a variety to choose from, so I was excited to know my taste buds would be in for a treat once I arrived in Paris. So far, they haven’t been disappointed.

Although there were a few other tasty treats, these are the 5 best things I ate in Paris during the month of June.

1. Salmon burger & fries ~ Cafe Charlot

Cafe Charlot is located in the 3rd arrondissement, just across from the Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered market in Paris. It’s a typical Parisian cafe with the lovely little sidewalk tables and checkered chairs. The salmon burger was delicious! The fries and a glass of French red wine topped it off. I haven’t been able to find a fish burger like this during my four years in Italy, and this one more than hit the spot!

2. Pain au chocolat ~ Gerard Mulot

Gerard Mulot is one of the best French bakeries I’ve found during my time in Paris. The pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) is perfect … very buttery and flaky. They also have really tasty macarons. Try the dark chocolate macaron, it will make you fall in love with macarons and understand what all the fuss is about.

3. Pastéis de nata {custard tartlets from Portugal} ~ Comme à Lisbonne

If you’re looking to try a little bite of heaven, then I suggest stopping in for one if these little custard tartlets. Comme à Lisbonne is a tiny little shop located in Le Marais district, with only one or two small counter stools to sit down at. They specialize in these custard tartlets, and that’s all you’ll find there. They’re served warm and topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon. They’re €2 each, and it will be the best €2 you spend all day.

4. Fallafel with eggplant ~ L’as du Fallafel

I had heard and read mention after mention for L’as du Fallafel. Since I’ve had my share of traditional fallafel, I wondered how there could be so much hype over a fallafel sandwich. Now I no longer wonder … I KNOW why. It’s the best fallafel sandwich I’ve ever eaten! Be prepared to get it to go. You pay a guy (€6), then he sends you to a walk-up window with a ticket. You hand your ticket to the guy behind the window, then he starts going to town piling on topping after topping. The unique thing about this version is that it comes with chunks of grilled eggplant. The only downside was that with it being take-away, I sat in a little nearby park and subjected all the children playing and their parents to me stuffing my face. Oh, and ask for extra napkins. You’ll need them.

5. French baguette, cheese and wine ~ homemade picnic

A fresh baguette, a variety of French cheeses, and a glass of French wine … these are what dreams and homemade picnics are made of. This combination just can’t be beat. And it’s surprisingly affordable.

Chocolate Easter Eggs in Italy

April 19, 2014 By Andrea

When I think about Easter, chocolate bunnies, baskets and colorful, plastic eggs always pop into my mind. I’ve yet to see the plastic eggs here in Italy, but eggs in general are definitely not lacking.

Instead of baskets filled with a variety of small candy and toys, kids in Italy receive an extra large chocolate egg. And usually the chocolate eggs come with a little treat or toy inside.

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Coromandel ~ Lovely Brunch in Rome

November 5, 2013 By Andrea

Coromandel is one of my favorite places to have breakfast or brunch. It’s located in the area of Piazza Navona. You’ll find it down a quieter side street, and will likely pass right by it if you didn’t know it was there. Once you enter inside though, it is anything but ordinary. The mention of scrambled eggs, pancakes and French toast lured me there. The delicious food and lovely setting has kept me coming back.

Coromandel has more of an old world, French bistro feel. The cozy setting with fluffy pillows displayed on the bench, shelves of books, warm decor and dim lighting invites you to stay and linger.

Breakfast and pastries are served on the loveliest of china. I always feel spoiled here because everything is so pretty. Not only are the dishes and decorations lovely, but the food is delicious, too!

I was leary about ordering the French toast. This is not an Italian dish, and I’m not aware of it being on other menus around Rome. I ordered preparing for the worst, but was most pleasantly surprised. The French toast is delicious, and even comes covered in syrup. (Syrup is also not typical in Italy.) Now I can’t hardly order anything else.

The cappuccino is also great, with a dish of sugar cubes served alongside. (I told you this place is fancy and makes you feel spoiled in the simplest of ways.) They also have iced coffee that is sweetened with almond milk, and it is also great if you’re in the mood for something a little different.

Whenever I get a craving for French toast, or just want to feel a little special, I head to Coromandel.

P.S. – Coromandel also serves lunch and dinner. Although I’ve only had breakfast, I’m sure lunch and dinner dishes are equally as delicious.

Coromandel

via di Monte Giordano 60/61

Telephone: 06 688 02 461

Website: http://www.coromandel.it

Open 8:30 AM – midnight, Closed on Mondays

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MADE ~ Cupcakes in Rome

October 8, 2013 By Andrea

I have a sweet tooth. I mean, a major sweet tooth. I can’t get enough of cakes, cookies, brownies, or just about any type of pastry. Although typical Italian pastries are good, and I’ll very rarely turn one down when offered, most just seem to miss the mark with me. I am used to (and prefer) richer, sweeter pastries.

I crave light, moist cakes with buttercream icing, rich chocolate brownies, melt in your mouth chocolate chip cookies … all of these abundant in the U.S., but missing in Italy.

When I stumbled across MADE and saw a variety of American style pastries on display, I almost tripped over myself trying to enter the shop.

MADE is a short walk from Piazza Navona. It is small inside, with no tables to sit down. The decor is white and bright, with pops of color mostly coming from the mouth watering baked goods on display.

I am a sucker for cupcakes, and that’s what I’ve gone for both times I’ve visited. I’ll have to try a cookie or two next time though.

The first time I went, I had a chocolate and lavender cupcake (pictured below). It was quite unique – chocolate cake with thick, fudge-like chocolate icing topped with sprinkles of dried lavender. It had just a hint of lavender flavor, not overpowering at all. Different taste, but quite good. However, the cake was a little on the dry side.

The next time I went I chose the red velvet cupcake (pictured above). This one was really tasty. The cake seemed to be more chocolate than red velvet (no complaints here), and was moist. The cream cheese icing was airy and whipped. Needless to say, I polished this one off in record time!

If you’re only in Rome for a few days, MADE probably shouldn’t be added to the top of your to-do list. But if you’re craving American baked goods, this could be just the fix you need. 🙂

MADE Creative Bakery
Via dei Coronari, 25
+39 06 98932195
http://www.madebakery.com/
MADE on Facebook

Pizzeria Florida ~ Good Pizza al Taglio in Rome

September 17, 2013 By Andrea

Pizza al taglio, which means pizza by the slice, or more accurately, pizza by the cut, is a popular type of food in Rome. It’s like the Italian style of fast food, if you will. There are usually a variety of toppings and flavors to choose from. The American in me loves being able to have a variety of flavors to choose from. Although delicious, sometimes you just want more than the classic margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil). I also like this style of pizza because it has more of a bite when it comes to the crust. Regular Roman-style pizza (not to be confused with pizza from Naples), has more of a really thin, cracker crust. Pizza al taglio has a softness to the bread when you first bite in, then a crispy crust underneath.

To order, you let the person behind the counter know which pizza you would like, and if you would like a large or small portion (you pay by weight). I usually like to get two small portions so I can try different flavors. As you can see from the photo above, they actually cut the pizza with scissors. Hence the name, pizza al taglio, or pizza by the cut. Once cut, the pizza is warmed in the oven for a few minutes. You can then take your pizza to go (porta via in Italian), or eat there. At Pizzeria Florida there is a small stand up counter inside, along with a few benches outside on the sidewalk where you can eat.

On my latest visit, I opted for two different flavors – tuna and a twist on the classic margherita. Thick pieces of buffalo mozzarella with hints a fresh basil and bursts of juicy, roasted plum tomatoes on a crispy crust always hits the spot. The tuna is completely different for pizza, but really delicious with moist tuna, juicy olives, chunks of tomato and peppery arugula.

Pizzeria Florida is located in the city center along the tram #8 route, right across from the ruins of Largo Argentina. They are open Monday – Saturday from 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM, and closed Sundays. Not only is the pizza good here, but their prices are pretty reasonable too. You can expect to spend around €5 per person for pizza and a drink.

Pizzeria Florida
Via Florida, 25
06 6880 3236
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