An invitation to a New Year’s Eve party in the City of Lights, hosted by a pastry chef, featuring a Moroccan master serving up couscous...who would say non? Nick and I had already spent a week in Paris, mostly eating and walking, looking and shopping. My birthday: lunch at fabled Bofinger; dinner at Mon Viel Ami (thanks, Nick.) Miriam arrived in time for an end-of-year nosh with us at Le Comptoir (Nick and I had also been there a few days earlier.) And failing to find a suitable fireplace, I’d tossed my annual Dec. 31 list of resentments into the cold and dark waters of the Seine, hoping they’d drift away and not enter the new year with me. The party at Dorie and Michael’s was warm and sophisticated, the food memorable, the conversation stimulating. And as midnight approached, we walked to the nearby Pont des Arts to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle in the distance, marking the stroke of midnight and signaling the sparklers all around us to light up. Everyone was happy. Happier still those of us who headed back to the party for the Pierre Hermé Ispahan-inspired dessert Dorie had prepared -- lychee and raspberry ice creams, candied rose petals, lavender marshmallows, plus financiers and teensy madeleines. Best New Year’s ever.
I like the image of Old Year's Resentments floating down the Seine to the sea. Following the North Atlantic current down past the Azores and back across the Equator, and up the East Coast, they may be washing ashore at Cape Cod any day now -- just in time for this New Year!
ReplyDeleteNice Gams on the sparkler chick
ReplyDeleteI just read an article from my January issue of Town and Country Magazine that made me think of you. It was titled "The Sweet Life" a pastry tour of Paris. It reminded me of the many stories you have told me about Nick and your (in)famous trips. I always imagined you writing a similar article for a publication so I smiled upon scanning the page. What an even bigger pleasure it was to log on tonight and see the announcement about your new blog. Now I can read stories about your trips and see photos any time I want. I'd be honored to join your community of followers.
ReplyDeleteJust great, perfectly you and entirely too inspirational. Would have responded earlier this evening, but had to take an extended break after reaching the bit about lychee and raspberry ice creams, candied rose petals, lavender marshmallows, financiers and madeleines. Didn't happen to have anything on the list in the house, but sugar in all its forms is to be appreciated, yes? --Steve
ReplyDeleteSandy- Your blog is "magnifique". It whisked me on a cold New England day to "snaps" of joy. I'll be back to "travel the world" with you often. MERCI!!!
ReplyDeleteStephanie from the library