0 The New Choux!

Another French pastry lecon today deconstructing the basic creme puff or French choux. Sharpen your pencils svp.

Everyone knows the traditional French croquembouche wedding cake - a tower of choux pastry filled with chantilly whipped creme, then dribbled with molten caramel. Here a mini version minus wedding, obligatory hat and gloves. Indulge yourself!

What is the religieuse but a double-decker stack of choux?

La Maison du Chocolat helps you out with a nice cross-section view. Not so helpful since you can only buy these on Fridays/ Saturdays in October in Paris. I missed out...

I loved this decorative drawing on the walls of new patisserie Sebastien Degardin...

If you buy a how-to eclair book you can also make choux - same pastry.

Different shape.

Sadaharu Aoki deconstructs the creme puff by slicing in half and exposing a naughty chou a la creme.

Another new patisserie, Cyril Lignac gives the religieuse a modern twist...

Angelina makes the religieuse's pate a chou crustillant, a newish pastry look = crusty, crunchy texture.

Angelina has a book out showing the revisited Saint-Honore - more choux innovation...

At hotel Mandarin Oriental pastry counter a Saint-Honore of creme puffs de-stacked (8 euros).

Their trio de choux(8 euros) - some say the choux is the new macaron. What do you think?

Some choux you don't want to bite into!

Choux/religieuse do NOT travel well. Avoid the Metro and order a limo for gawds sake!

BONJOUR THE NEW CHOUX!

0 BLACK & WHITE WEDNESDAY #21

~ Holy Cow! ~

Zweisimmen, Bernese Oberland.

~ Precious Roots ~

~ Swiss Farniente ~

All three pictures were submitted to "Black & White Wednesday", an event created by Susan at "The Well-Seasoned Cook".

0 ECLAIR PLAQUE CHOCOLAT!

L'eclair ordinaire is a staple of French pastry...
Eclair aquarelle...
You almost never see an eclair lurking at Pierre Herme but they adorned his window in October...

Perhaps because they adorn his new book, one even caterpillar-like.

Eclair recipe books are hot hot hot in Paris!
Edible pansys on your eclair? go for it.

Make your eclair look like sushi? Pourquoi pas?

Fauchon's master chef, Christophe Adam has a new eclair book out...

Fauchon is showing a Paris Brest eclair...

But the newest twist/tendance on the eclair is an added plaque or flattened layer instead of the usual slather of icing found at Arnaud Lahrer.

Hugo et Victor's eclair not only has an added plaque chocolat but is slit down the middle of the pate chou pastry with the filling exposed. Naughty!

I bought one of these but forgot to shoot the obligatory cross-section view. Heck! Still the thin chocolate layer adds a touch of crunchy contrast to the soft mush of the inner filling and isn't as sweet as usual.

Angelina has adopted the new 'plaque' look in white chocolate...

As has Un Dimanche a Paris...

Here's the 'New York' DIY eclair I can do without the twist...ahem
BONJOUR ECLAIR PLAQUE CHOCOLAT!

0 Barneys Gaga

Barneys Xmas windows are an homage to Lady Gaga...
Do drop in for a look at Gaga's designs on the 5th floor...
A sufficiently hairy fan poses in front of Gaga's Boudoir. My hair is too short for this...

Gaga is famous for her outfits and bows made of hair but a hairy shoe and a hairy dressing table may be taking hair too far...

A hairy chaise lounge...

And a hairy chaise/chair. One wonders how sturdy this it..?

Looking hairless more like chihuahua, Gaga spins...

Flying hair...

Inside Barneys Gaga greets you wearing an Andy wig. Is this from a few years ago Barneys windows?

Neon Gaga in a different hairdo...

If you buy some of Gaga's goodies on the 5th floor you'll get this Gaga bag. And 25% of sales from Gaga's Workshop will benefit the Born This Way Foundation.

Like these chocolate Gaga 'lipsticks' ($18.)

So grab your hairbow...

And head on over to Barneys.

BONJOUR LADY GAGA!

0 Post Thanksgiving Recovery

I saw this Jo Malone poster hanging in Harrods' cosmetic department.

It's what I'd like to be doing today instead of homework.

c'est la vie

0 BUVETTE DES BAINS - RESTAURANT REVIEW

Generally, I rarely or rather never go out to eat because my ridiculous financial situation doesn't give me the possibility to do such fun things. As a matter of fact, I can't remember the last time I went to the restaurant and I had a romantic evening with my boyfriend during which I didn't have to play the role of the chef cook...

Thankfully, sometimes I do get the chance to leave my appartment in order to have a relaxing afternoon with my friend Corinne who never fails to find the best dining locations. As a rule, we either invite one another for lunch or occasionally enjoy a meal at MANOR's cafeteria, a falafel sandwich from a kebab joint in town or an assortment of fabulous Lebanese specialities at "Good Taste" in neighboring France. Nothing high-class, bling-bling or stylish, but nonetheless greatly convivial and fun. Then again, I'm no snobbish/snotty or show off foodie and don't care about what's in or not, because my tastes are timeless and not linked to appearance (the same can be said about me in general).

Consequently, we choose places that are extremely budget-friendly, but offer scrumptious grub. So, today, I have decided to review a lovely eatery we went to at the begining of autumn and which we really liked.

The canteen is called "Buvette Des Bains" and is situated in the middle of the Rade, in a unique site on the Pâquis jetty: "Bains Des Pâquis" ("Pâquis Baths"). Those baths are a historical institution (they were opened to the public back in 1932) and an example of cosmopolitan Geneva where young and old alike, dynamic business men and women as well as artists, students, mothers, unemployed job seekers and many others meet. Being designed as a beach resort that is famous for its bars, concerts, spa/sauna facilities, relaxing areas, swimmimg pools and diner, this charmingly singular and hyper trendy location is a city landmark for hanging around aimlessly, meeting friends, having lunch in the sun, escaping the daily grind, outdoor bathing and playing cards in a relaxed atmosphere.

This exceptionally calm, non-smoking and self-service café is open 365 days a year and has a capacity of 160 people, a gorgeous terrace as well as a cosy hut heated by three wood-fired ovens.

The view there is just breathtaking as you can admire the lake, Jet d'Eau, Saint-Pierre Cathedral, Mont-Blanc mountain and old boats sailing away on their daily cruise. Food-wise, the "Buvette Des Bains" serves cheap, colorful, well-balanced (they have received the "Fourchette Verte" label), varied, seasonal and simple, but creative lunches (tomato and mozzarella, penne and tomato sauce, Greek salad, smoked salmon, etc...), but also breakfasts (fresh juices and Swiss specialities like bircher müesli, bread and Cenovis, etc...) and fondue in the evening (it is reputed to be one of the best of Geneva and is famous for being made with Crémant instead of white wine). Not forgetting the friendly and caring team who make the whole experience even more pleasant.

There is no other bistro like this one in the city. When sitting on the exceptionally calm exterior lounge, one feels as if on holiday at the seaside. It is the perfect spot for forgetting the stress of the metropolis and is for sure the best value of Geneva as the portions are immense (I even had difficulties finishing my plate), the food is fresh and the prices are absolutely correct.

If ever you are in the region, then don't forget to visit the "Bains Des Pâquis" as you'll be seduced by everything about them and will encounter something totally new!

Menu:
Breakfast from 8.00-11am CHF 10.-
Lunch from 11.30am CHF 12.-
Fondue from 18.00-21.00pm CHF 20.70
(No credit card payments accepted)

Buvette Des Bains
Bains Des Pâquis
30, Quai Du Mont-Blanc
Tel.: 022 738 16 16
info@buvettedesbains.ch
www.buvettedesbains.ch