|
|---|
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Time for a little dessert isn't it? Like the famous l'opera gateaux.I keep thinking about pastry geometrie...
This cake was first created by Louis Clichy in 1903.
But Dalloyau renamed it after the grand Paris Opera
and is reknown for their version.
Every French patisserie makes a version of this popular multi-layered chocolate decadence. L'Epicerie has a monster version...
I would love to figure out why a squared cake in the US connotes an
office party birthday? Where is the panache? Where's the ganache? 
Pierre Herme makes what looks like an opera cake but he changes the equation. It's called the Carrement Chocolat, it is not layered.
Inside is: (biscuit "molleux chocolat", creme onctueuse au chocolat, mousse au chocolat, fine feuilles de chocolat craquant) I see the word feuille / leaves, so it must be layered? I brought the petit four version home to paint...
There's nothing like the challenge of painting a square object on a rectangular piece of paper.
If you think you'd like to make this cake, Dorie Greenspan has documented Dalloyau's recipe in her book, Paris Sweets. Here's what's inside those layers:
1.Giaconda biscuit
2.Coffee syrup
3.Coffee buttercream
4.Chocolate ganache
5.Chocolate glaze
Not exactly "a piece of cake" to make!
BONJOUR L'Opera GATEAUX!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday morning I had a "private" visit to Pierre Herme on 185, rue Vaugirard to take as many pictures as I wanted from both sides of the counter. YAY!
Later I decided on a late run to my photo shop in the 6th - camera problems. It was dusk in the Marais. Irresistable for marching around on foot.
I passed a Starbucks on rue des Archives and peeked in. Starbucks is hugely popular in Paris with the French to my surprise! They love the big loungie chairs and relaxed atmosphere.
The banks of Velib bikes everywhere is a delight! These stations were empty during the strike/ greve last week. Next time I'll get a Navigo card so I can use one. I'll bone up on my biking skills too before I come...ahem
I passed the glorious Hotel de Ville enroute to the left bank -always spectacular at night.
Cross the Petit Pont...
To the other side where Notre Dame awaits...
Awaits every tourist in Paris. Sometimes it's nice to be a tourist...
A small art galerie on rue de Petit Pont with large, mysterious Medieval style paintings...
A shop window nearby with tiny, adorable Limoge snuff boxes...
At St.Michel I popped into the Metro and came out at stop Vavin facing my favorite bistro - Le Select. You can't go wrong here for tons of old Parisian ambience. The food is irrelevant.
Another night I took this shot of the L'Opera Garnier. Walking around Paris at night is a delight.
The streets are not so crowded and perfect for leche-vitrine / window shopping with no chance of maxing out your credit card.
Late shoppers at the Bonaparte Laduree can still max out their credid cards. Lines, lines, lines plus you feel the tension and anticipation - will there be any macarons left?
Here winners of a box of Laduree macarons enjoy their booty at nearby Cafe Le Deux Magots...
A pretty "boutique" hotel I spotted walking around another night in the Marais...
I hope you enjoyed all my Paris "bla bla bla"Please don't ask me where you can buy this product.
I'm an artist who loves to look at everything.
I couldn't leave you without some Paris macarons could I? LinkWithin
