Engulfed by live-streamed media, how can anyone not be affected by the horrific reality of Paris’ beloved Notre-Dame Cathedral? I, like much of the world, knowingly have been moved. Feeling nothing short of shock, disbelief and utter heartbreak, I can’t even imagine how witnesses on-scene had felt, watching everything from the envelope of smoke hovering this national treasure to the final fall of the iconic towering spire, too aflame to withstand the heat.
In great thanks to over 400 firefighters, however, good news is: the fire has been put out, much of the ornate exterior structure still stands, and the global community is stronger than before, ready to co-operate, rebuild and revitalize ‘Our Lady, Notre-Dame.’
Wanting not to dwell on the devastation that is still all too real, the Francophile – in me – would love to share glimpses of the beauty of this gothic-inspired edifice, as I had once seen through my camera lens. Documenting my travels with images, as many do, I’m happy to have captured Parisian landmarks including the aforementioned heritage site. Clearly, this truth is evident more so now than before, and is undoubtedly worth revisiting in timeless photographs.
In rememberance, then, of the glory that was, and in hopes of all that remains to be restored in years to come, I hope lovers of all things French, culture, architecture, and history can appreciate the greatness of the Notre-Dame – Vive la France, vive la Dame!
Copyright © DISHFUL, 2019. All Rights Reserved.
Crazy for NOLA! Truly, who wouldn’t be? Infatuated with brass tones, French culture, rich food and good company, New Orleans is a city I’ve long yearned to visit. And, finally, venturing to the birthplace of jazz music and legends alike has come to fruition – Oui, oui!!!
Getting down to business, I make Deanie’s Seafood my first dining stop. Conveniently situated right in “Quarter” – the French Quarter, that is – this local favourite easily gets packed during peak times. Fortunately, making an entrance at the ‘right time,’ my party is soon seated and served with spiced “hot potatoes.” You heard right! Talking about a “good change,” find no pre-meal dinner rolls, here. As the server helpfully explains, patrons are presented with a plate of boiled red-skinned spuds and butter in ‘lieu’ of bread, and as a side note: these potatoes evoke a distinct element of heat given they are extracted from an authentic ‘seafood boil,’ and consequently have absorbed all the good piquant seasoning.
Already kicking things off in the right direction, this prelude starter is sign of more delicious food to come. Clearly dishing the fish, seafood is fresh, made to order and prepared your way – fried or broiled – and, as if that’s not enough, it comes with a plateful of fries. Bearing all the markings for an evening feast to share and remember, here’s a quick rundown of what ‘was’ enjoyed: a half seafood platter in addition to an order of stuffed shrimp, and a broiled crab quartet consistent with stuffed crab, soft shell crab, crab legs, and crab gratin. Yes, I know it’s a lot but, “The ocean called…” and, I’m running out of time in NOLA, so I must-indulge.
As a standout, the crab gratin dish was ‘dat good!’ It was decadent, creamy, loaded with lump crab meat and it paired well with the side plate of fries. Perhaps, not the intended method of consumption, but it makes perfect sense. After all, why not top off fries with a cheesy crabby topping? Just think: upscale seafood poutine – you’re welcome!
Worth repeat visits, letting the good times roll is made easy at Deanie’s. Back again for a taste of authentic crawfish, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to leave NOLA without getting my hands a little messy. Learning the tricks of the eating trade, I efficiently learn how to ‘work for’ a morsel of crawfish. Far from the simplicity of peel-and-eat shrimp, crawfish is similar in texture though differs in taste and, above all, requires more effort for less reward. Still, I’m happy for the real deal experience in yours truly, and can appreciate why these mudbugs are so loved. From ‘bon voyage’ to ‘bon app
Facing the Atlantic Ocean and bordering Spain, the sandy beaches of Biarritz are among one of my favourite coastlines. Designating summer days with basking under the sun, what’s one to do once the temperature drops? I don’t know about you, but soaking up the rich Basque history that is synonymous with BAB – Biarritz, Anglet and Bayonne – is what I have in mind. 
Gravitating toward the sweet aromas of pastry shops 
Happily pursuing chocolates, cakes, and pastry, these conquests are nothing short of successfully sweet. Yielding appetizing treasures to be devoured and shared, I find ‘my people’ – chocolate lovers and s’more – scanning shelves and rejoicing over display towers of sinfully delectable artisan crafted delights. Equally taking time to study unique cakes and cookies, Maison Adam is reputably the originator of the Basque macaron. Stopping to sample both, why not order some more? Requesting a little bit of this and that, I take away the famous almond cookie, Basque g
But, that’s not all! Dessert excursion halfway complete, another lesson in tradition awaits at Chocolatier Henriet. Food-spotting between one pastry house to another, Henriet literally evokes history in the making as seen with their production of elegant French p
Speaking volumes about the coast with the most, I leave this well-stocked boutique of treats – like the one before – with a handful of boxed up beauties. Sailing through this inland shopping experience, I’m ready to sample my ‘Basquette’ full of heavenly selects. Best part of all, this voyage need not wait on Mr. Sun or that bikini body – phew! Certain to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth, Maison Adam and Chocolatier Henriet are a couple of Biarritz’s finest locally-situated dessert houses – sugar rush, guaranteed! 
Overcome by a spectacle of confections – cassata siciliana, sfogliatella napoletana, crema e pinoli, marmellata, paste assortite, cannoli, cookies, and brain-freeze selects – the commotion of eager patrons will certainly bring you back down to earth, and in no time you’ll soon remember why you’re here in the first place: “Gelato, por favor!” Sure enough, crowd control is in check and, so too, is the step-by-step ordering process: first, place your order – one, two or three scoops – then, pay the cashier and receive a receipt to present to one of many ice cream servers. At this point, don’t be shy to make your request and be heard, especially since there’s no formal queue and the servers are beckoning ice cream lovers to efficiently make their way to the counter. Essentially, your wish is your command. Literally, the sooner you voice your ice cream desires the sooner you’ll grab it and go – just be prepared, and know what you want.
Keeping you well informed, here’s a little taste of what I spotted along the streets of Rue Monge, Paris. Not to be confused with ‘mange’ that means ‘eat,’ Rue Monge is not your typical tourist attraction and, however quiet, it remains worthy of some notable buzz. 
Too mesmerized to ask their origin, whether Medjools or not, there’s no mistaking these dates were certainly fresh with a soft outer layer, meaty in size – not dried up or shrivelled like some other varieties – and, jam-packed with sweetness. Surely, a date or two is the perfect lightweight snack to keep anyone energized. Consisting of more happy surprises, each corner of this small shop carries pockets of nature’s beauty. For instance, while indulging in ruby red currants and organic strawberries did amaze, the one that got away – hopefully, to be sampled on a future trip – was the box-load of 
From land and sea to farm fresh and freshly baked or cooked, there’s an endless list of gastronomic stops to recount. Briefly, for those with a sweet tooth, Rue Monge is also host to an array of ‘viennoiserie’ and classic French pastries – pain au chocolat, brioche, croissant, flan, tarte aux pommes, macarons, etc. – as well as simple cheese sandwiches, all courtesy of Maison Gr
Having said that, those after a more hearty lunch or late night dinner must-visit and must-walk further along Rue Monge and take a detour – all within walking distance, I promise – to Rue Mouffetard. Once there, behold: foodie central! Taking a late night promenade to Rue Mouffetard, myself, I find this street to be lively and boasting with a m
Venturing to satisfy sweet and savoury senses, I opt for a cheese and egg-filled paper thin cr
Ultimately, request is made for a delicate yet vibrant trio of: rose, pistachio and strawberry gelato. Taking time to savour this ‘fleur,’ each petal layer at a time, the distinct combination of the three gelati did make for a pleasantly memorable experience. Undeniably fragrant, this perfumed hand-crafted rose smelled sweet as much as it tasted intoxicatingly true to the essence of rose water – simply, magnifique! 
Looking for an ideal grab ‘n’ go snack, 
What’s more, word of mouth still works! And, in little to no time you’ll find crowds gather by this hotspot. So in case you’re running low on energy or simply can’t wait to get your falafel fix, be in-the-know of the how-to’s when it comes to speedy service at this restaurant. Taking out the guesswork, here’s what to expect for takeout: first, spot the staff/rep – most likely standing outside, infront of the venue, already taking orders – then, find your place amid the open air queue of patrons and submit your request. In following, provide payment directly to the ‘outdoor’ staff who will, in exchange, provide a paper receipt to be presented to the cooks. Simply put, the invoice is key: no paper – proof of purchase – no falafel. 
Luckily for tourists, both English and French are spoken/understood here. A
More than ‘a’ chickpea, it’s the culmination of chickpeas 
A picture worthy of thousands of words, who wouldn’t capture this Kodak moment of sorts? Politely asking permission 
Wanting a bit of this and that, here’s what I enjoyed: Madagascar Vanilla, coffee, chocolate, Mogador (duo of milk chocolate and passion fruit), Ispahan (evoking hints of rose, litchi fruit and raspberry), Infinitely Jasmine, and Montebello (a signature combo of pistachio and raspberry). Unequivocally divine, macarons by 
Die hard fans of french fries – the hearty type – mustn’t miss out on a hidden gem in Montr
Kid you not, the variety of flavourful poutine options are extensive. As such, patrons can either verbalize a menu item or fill out a sheet to specify desired toppings for their very own customized take on this French-Canadian dish. Choices abound, I feel for the indecisive folks but there’s no need to panic. Instead, take a breath and remember: simplicity is key! Wasting no more time contemplating, get your order in for an iconic staple – before the kitchen closes – and await a generously stacked plate of simply delicious: crispy house cut fries topped with fresh cheese curds and a rich braised beef broth-based gravy. Time ‘properly’ managed and decision made, one thing’s certain: you can never go wrong in keeping with tradition – especially, when talking about food affairs.
Fried and fabulous, I couldn’t help but request a double-take of tubers and ask for the “2 Poutine Sampler.” Having lunch chez-Poutineville, afterall, why not try both hand-crushed and crispy sweet potatoes? Going for twice the poutine, this appetizing select also means one can taste two times the gravy – red wine and pepper sauces – in addition to a mound of oozing melted cheese curds. Combining winning pairings of mild and bold flavours, I’m an instant fan of the peppery sweet potato poutine. Equally exclusive to Poutineville, other inventive dishes include a m
Good company and good times! And, as for the weather? Certainly, ‘je me souviens’ – a city to be remembered. But, don’t let the clear skies fool you! Brisk air to some, I would comparatively rate the weather as well below freezing temperature. Nonetheless, this trip was never about the windchill. Food shopping on the mind, this chocoholic-epicurean – that is ‘moi’ – landed in front of the doors of 1255 Rue Bishop for one precise item: C’ChoColat’s signature house dessert, the C’Wow.
As hoped, every bite of the C’Wow encompasses a m
Satisfying the chocophile-in-anyone, enjoying the finer things in life – if only via chocolate – is a dream come to fruition at C’ChoColat. Never ceasing to disappoint, there’s something for everyone from chocolate-infused beverages dubbed ‘choctails’ to Hong Kong style honeycomb waffles and savoury dishes. Too tempting not to try, the pistachio gelato is truly divine. Still in vacay mode, adding accompaniments like a latt
DISHFUL 