France: Gérard Mulot, Poilâne, Pâtisserie Stohrer, and Angelina

All appointments canceled on a day like this. The weather! Can you believe - hail?! And crazy wind, one more time. There first sight of snow for 2010 was recorded in Central Park this morning. I had my scarf tied so tight and high, round my neck, mouth, and nose...it was a wonder I could see where to walk!

Take me to Hawai'i where the sun is bright and I can indulge in malassadas and fresh mochi (lots of mochi!) all day.

Or even, Paris. At least there I may feast on marshmallows, aka, Guimauves from Gérard Mulot. Kiwi, blueberry, orange, and strawberry! Monsieur P didn't even bat an eye when I insisted on having guimauves for breakfast.

No he did not. Instead, he spoiled me with more sweets.

"Croissant, my dear?"

And no more than ten minutes later, "perhaps a Chausson aux Pommes?" Boy, does this fellow know the way to my heart ;)

And he also knew that while the Chausson aux Pommes from Gérard Mulot was lovely, it was the Chausson aux Pommes from Poilâne that was AMAZING.

Yes, amazing. Buttery, golden, all those sweet apples, still warm and tucked into that flaky crust. We had one, two. And then back the following morning, again, one, two. The single best habit we developed on that holiday.

A short metro ride took us to Pâtisserie Stohrer in the afternoon for...

...Puits d'amour. These little gems literally translate as "wells of love." How precious is that?

It all makes sense when you bite into layers of puff pastry and sink your teeth into sweet depths of vanilla bean-speckled custard, soft and cool with a crackly top of golden caramel.

We couldn't help but pick up some Chocolate Marzipan on the way out, heheh. They were delightful to nibble on at the cafe, a glass of wine on the side and book in hand.

But we mustn't forget to stop at Angelina...

...one Mont Blanc to share please! Yes, that is all cream. Good glory.

Alas, there was no room for their famed hot chocolate, but that is alright, Monsieur P promised we'd be back soon enough ;)

[For a little more sweet something:
the Pierre Hermé post]

Gérard Mulot
76 Rue de Seine, 6th Arr.
01 43 26 85 77

Poilâne
8 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 6th Arr.
01 45 48 42 59

Pâtisserie Stohrer
51 Rue Montorgueil, 2nd Arr.
01 42 33 38 20

Angelina
226 Rue de Rivoli, 1st Arr
01 42 60 82 00