La Cuisine Paris

On October 9, 2018 By ChérineIn Cooking, France, Paris, TravelLeave a comment

On a cold February morning, I walked along the quays of the Seine to Marché Maubert to meet my class mates and the chef from La Cuisine Paris.

I had planned a mini vacation in Paris and was looking forward to taking a cooking class to enhance my culinary arts skills. I found La Cuisine Paris on Instagram. Located at 80 Quai de l’Hôtel de ville in the 4th arrondissement, the school offers culinary and baking classes in English.

The Marché Maubert is comprised of 45 stalls offering fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry (did you know that in France, rabbit is considered poultry?), fish, cheeses and many more.

Our group walked around the market, led by Chef Justin, looking at the various offerings and planning our menu.

We settled on seasonal ingredients: radishes, “potimarron” (a cross between a pumpkin and a squash), rabbit and for dessert an almond tart. And of course some cheese and bread to start out french culinary experience. On the way back to the school, we stopped for baguettes at a “boulangerie” who had been awarded the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”, a prestigious honour for the best craftsman in various categories.

Back in the kitchen, we set to searing the rabbit before braising it in a mustard sauce. I had never thought to glaze radishes, but we did and they were sweet and still had bite. The potimarron was puréed with cream and butter. The delectable aroma of the baking almond tarts filled the kitchen. I could not wait to savour what was to come.

As we sat down to lunch with a view on the Seine, the sun came out.

La Cuisine Paris is a must for the home or amateur chef who is looking to delve into french cuisine classics. Check them out if you are in Paris next.

La Cuisine Paris 80 Quai de l’Hôtel de ville, 75004 Paris, France.

Le Coq Rico, my new Paris favourite

On November 13, 2017 By ChérineIn France, Paris, Restaurants, TravelLeave a comment

Almost 5 months have passed since I was in Paris last, yet I remember my Sunday lunch with friends at Le Coq Rico in Montmartre with relish.

Le Coq Rico is Antoine Westermann’s brainchild. One look at the menu, if the name has not already given it away, and you realize that the principal player is poultry.

We delved in and chose 3 starters that would allow us to taste a little bit of everything;

The “Eggz”, a soft boiled egg in a crispy nest. Soft boiled eggs, being my least favourite food item, I stayed away from tasting the dish. My friend though, devoured it. I suspect that it was quite enjoyable based on the smile on his lips.

The buttery duck livers covered in sesame seeds were well balanced by the sourness of the sautéed cherries.

The duck rillettes (a sort of pâté made with shredded duck) served with toasted baguette and pickles were by far my favourite. I could have had seconds.

For our main, we selected the whole duck, served with a choice of accompaniments: salad, the ever popular french fries or vegetables fricassée. In an attempt to make healthy, nutritious choices, we balanced our french fry order with vegetables and salad.

A truly succulent meal with absolutely no regrets.

And if there are any doubts that we savoured each piece of confit or roasted duck, there should be none. We practically licked the plate clean.

Le Coq Rico – 98 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris – http://en.lecoqrico.com/index

Évora, another short jaunt from Lisbon

On January 30, 2016January 30, 2016 By ChérineIn Lisbon, Portugal, Travel, UNESCO World Heritage Sites2 Comments

An hour and a half eastwards from Lisbon, lies the historic centre of Évora. A small town filled with historic significance and beauty.

Once the residence of Portuguese kings, the town offers a number of monuments worth visiting: the Capela dos Ossos, the Roman temple, whitewashed houses and many more.

Once you have walked through the city streets and absorbed the majesty of the architecture, the colours of the azulejos….

…take a break and have lunch at Páteo (https://www.facebook.com/pateowinebar?_rdr=p#_=_). A lovely wine bar where the cheese and charcuterie board was to die for.

Lunch break at Pateo

And the sangria was not bad either…

Sangria

On the way back to Lisbon, make sure you stop at the Almendres Cromlech.

Cromlech of the Almendres 2 — The megaliths have been standing there for several centuries.

And check out the cork trees doting the country side.

Sintra – a short jaunt from Lisbon

On January 18, 2016 By ChérineIn Lisbon, Portugal, Sintra, Travel3 Comments

New year, new travel list! Over the last couple of years, I have thought a lot about my bucket list of cities and countries to visit. So I think I have finalized the list: check it out here! I know most of you will say it is ambitious, but there is nothing wrong in dreaming big!

I thought back to the beautiful places I have already visited and luckily some are from the list.

A short jaunt from Lisbon is the town of Sintra and the Pena National Palace.

The palace is breathtaking! The bright colours and the architectural style leave you in awe and is truly worth the 45 minute train ride from Lisbon.

After visiting the palace, walk down the hill to the town of Sintra and visit the Gothic National Palace. Take the time to walk around the town and explore the small streets. You just may discover some stunning sites.

Lisboa

On January 3, 2016 By ChérineIn Lisbon, Portugal, Travel4 Comments

My bucket list of cities to visit is extensive and diverse, however I can honestly say that Lisbon was not in the top 10. But when opportunity knocks, one should answer. I did not regret it.

As a seafood lover, Lisbon was the ideal place to be. But the city also has so much more to offer…

Rossio – The square is surrounded by cafes where locals and tourists alike enjoy aperitifs and good company.

Jeronimos

Lisbon boardwalk — The walk along the boardwalk was refreshing, in more ways than one

Rua Augusta Arch

When visiting, bring comfortable shoes that have a good grip. The city is hilly and took it’s toll on our feet, but the trams and funiculars were life savers and full of character and colour.

Tram

Pasteis de Belem – Sublime custard dessert and a must

The best seafood in town – Cervejaria Ramiro

And if after feasting on the fresh seafood, you still have the energy, take a walk in the Alfama district. It is stunning!

Alfama 2

Obrigado Lisboa!

Gaudí’s Barcelona

On December 6, 2015December 8, 2015 By ChérineIn Barcelona, Spain, Travel2 Comments

Barcelona – you either love it or you hate it! At least those were the only 2 perspectives I had heard from various people while planning my trip to the centre of Catalunya.

The city offers a wide range of sites, sounds and gastronomy. But what left the biggest impression on me was the architecture. Walking down the street, the evidence of modernism is palpable.

Although there were several well known modernism masters, Barcelona belongs to Antoni GaudÍ.

The Sagrada Familia, GaudÍ’s unfinished masterpiece left me in awe. I did not know where to start looking or which detail to take in.

Door detail

The stained glass fills the church with brilliant colour

Tower detail

If you are planning on visiting Barcelona, purchase advance tickets to skip the long lines. Your time will be better spent admiring the artistry.

Casa Battló and La Pedrera (a.k.a Casa Milà) made me wonder how Gaudí’s brain worked. How did he envision these buildings? What was his inspiration? All I can say is that it was pure genius!

La Pedrera

Pedrera rooftop

Casa Battlo through the glass

Casa Batlló interior detail

Casa Batlló rooftop

Gaudí began the construction of Park Güell in 1900, and took 14 years to complete. The park is expansive and even in nature, Gaudí’s mark is felt.

If you want to see and experience more of Barcelona and Gaudí, check out the free tours offered by Runner Bean Tours. The guides are fantastic and so worth spending time seeing the city through their eyes.

The need to escape

On November 22, 2015 By ChérineIn France, Paris, Travel2 Comments

In the last week or so, I have not been able to shake this feeling of sadness that has taken a hold of me. When things start getting to me, whether it be work, home or the world, I usually book an escape. Run away for a few days to clear my head and to remind me of all the good things that life has to offer.

Paris is most often my first choice to restore my serenity. Unfortunately, that is not in the cards for me right now. Hopefully early next year, I will get a chance to go back and soak it all in.

Until then, I am experiencing my favourite places in Paris through photographs.

Every trip to Paris, there are few tried and true things that I always do:

Salade landaise from Chez Papa
Ice cream from Amorino
Desserts from anywhere and everywhere

Salade landaise from Chez Papa

Ice cream from Amorino

Dessert

Some places, I return to over and over again. Some because of the way I feel in them, others to watch the changing light reflect off a particular window, sculpture or brick.

Pont des Arts

Musée Rodin

Opéra Garnier

View from Place de la Concorde

And the epitome of all things Parisian (at least for me): Les Bouquinistes along the Seine and Paris street signs.

Bouquiniste Street signs

PARIS, JE T’AIME.

Cosmopolitan Bogotá

On November 1, 2015 By ChérineIn Bogota, Colombia, Travel1 Comment

The first time I planned to visit my offshore call centre in Bogotá, Colombia, corporate security sat me down for a stern talking to. I was given a long list of things not to do: don’t hail a cab, don’t wear jewelry, don’t leave the hotel, don’t speak to anyone, etc… We have all heard the stories about Colombia and the risks of traveling to the country. The only risk is that you will not want to leave!

Bogotá is a beautiful green city nestled in the Andes mountains. The city is home to an abundance of parks, restaurants and historic sites.

View o f the mountains from the call centre terrace

La Candelaria is the historic centre of Bogotá replete with museums, schools and colonial architecture. It is a must see.

San Bartolome — Colegio de San Bartolomé

Bellissima Roma

On September 28, 2015 By ChérineIn Italy, Rome, Travel2 Comments

I love Rome for all its historical significance: the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Palatine Hill, the Trevi Fountain, St Peter’s Basilica and so many more.

But I also love Rome for its significance is some of my favourite feature films.

Colosseum 3 — The Colosseum – I could not help my self when I climbed the stairs to reach this vantage point. My first thoughts went to Russell Crowe’s line in Gladiator: “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” Although Gladiator was not filmed in Rome, I am amazed at the recreation of this amazing site.

Fontana di Trevi – the setting of the iconic scene from Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita with Anita Ekberg.

The Piazza Navona has made appearances in a several movies, including Angels and Demons, Eat Pray Love and Roman Holiday with the iconic Audrey Hepburn.

Bocca della verita — La Bocca della Verità – In planning the Rome trip, I knew I needed to make a stop at this quintessential setting which appeared in two of my favourite movies: Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck and Only you with Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. Its legend dates back to the middle ages. It is said that if you tell it a falsehood and put your hand in the mouth it would be bitten off.

The Vespa exemplifies everything Italian for me. It also has made cameos in favourite films like The Talented Mr Ripley and Roman Holiday. Did you know that Daphne Zuniga’s character in Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs was name Princess Vespa?

Monet’s Giverny

On September 13, 2015September 13, 2015 By ChérineIn France, Giverny, Travel2 Comments

The small town of Giverny is about an hour from Paris and one of my favourite places to visit in spring. I can understand why Claude Monet chose it as his home for 43 years.

Wandering the gardens, I am always impressed by their beauty and the army of gardeners it must take to maintain such an expansive and rich variety of flora.

And my all-time favourite: PEONIES.

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