Umami Mart

You didn’t think we’d go to Paris and go on a sugarless diet, did you? Of course you didn’t. Angelina’s is a famous pâtisserie on rue de Rivoli across from the Tuileries Garden.We went there the first time we visited Paris as a family over 20 years ago where I remember eating a mille feuille. […]

Since I recently gave up my nearly lifelong commitment to vegetarianism, I have been trying all kinds of wonderful things, and foie gras was at the top of my list of things to try. I’d heard about its exquisitely unique flavor for years and was anxious to have a taste. I’d come to terms with […]

Spent a day in San Francisco with my girl Vanessa- we walked around Hayes Valley, and stepped into this charming little candy shop, Miette. It’s a colorful fantasyland for anyone with a serious sweet tooth- you’re transported to a candy shop from the 1950s, with a huge selection of candies and chocolates, plus beautiful, organic […]

My allergies are in full force. It was so nice outside yesterday, but I couldn’t even be outside for more than 20 minutes. It was bad. And it is bad today too. I am wearing a mask, which makes me look like either a shady criminal or I that I have SARS. I want to […]

*Preface in 2 Posts- Yamahomo vs. Laduree Macaron Battles Part 1 & 2 The Battle Continues I must master this. I think I came pretty close to what macaron should be on trial 3, but I mixed the batter too much, hence it was too thin. Over the weekend, I made it three times. Here […]

I learned my lesson. Mix the batter well till it falls off the spatula, and don’t take it out of the oven too soon. Other than the fact that I am super inpatient, all the necessary ingredients and mind set was there. I couldn’t let go of the defeat of my Sunday failure, so I […]

I don’t know why I do this. The harder the recipe is, the more excited I get. I don’t know how I decided to make macaroons, but somehow I did.. When everyone goes to Paris (I’ve never been there, yet), they go queue up at either Laduree or Pierre Herme (did you know Pierre used […]

I’ve just come back from a brief vacation to Paris and Berlin–I rarely vacation, so upon returning I’ve regaled everyone I’ve spoken to with the dreadfully banal, I-see-the-world-anew!-type minutiae familiar to anyone who has attended college and encountered–in the words of one friend tired of my anecdotes–“that annoying kid who studies abroad for a semester […]