Paris at the Lower East Side

Cafe Charbon and the Tabac store, located on the corner of Rue de Orchard and Rue de Stanton, are actually not in France. They are on the Lower East Side (L.E.S.) of Manhattan, which is one of the last districts in the city to be gentrified. But as you can see, it is slowly getting there. Some of the areas are beginning to look like SoHo with its European vibe.

So how is the weather in your city? My brother in Los Angeles said it was almost 100 degrees (Fahrenheit) there. But it is a cool 50 degrees here in NYC.

French Baguettes @ Vesuvio Bakery

These loaves of french baguettes were among the many offerings at Vesuvio Bakery in SoHo. I did not appreciate (nor enjoy) crusty bread like these until I was an adult because I grew up on those pillowy soft white bread, otherwise known as Wonderbread from the supermarket. Now I love these crusty baguettes as well as other breads like olive loaves and focaccia.

So do you like bread? What are you favorite kinds of bread or starch?

Toto, I Don't Think We're In Kansas City Anymore

Here is an exterior shot of Balthazar, a wonderful french brasserie in New York City. It is one of my favorite places to eat breakfast or lunch during the middle of the week. But I avoid it during dinner or the weekends because of the crowd. The front of the store reminds me of many restaurants I've seen in Paris.

Although French cuisine is still very popular in New York City, a lot of the super expensive haute cuisine restaurants have shuttered due to changes in gastronomic style and taste. Young people who eat out a lot prefer to dine at casual environments instead of restaurants that required them to wear a tie and jacket or a dress.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in your city?