dimanche 27 mars 2011

Paris Chocolate Tour


While many come to Paris to devour french classics like beef bourguignon, onion soup, coq au vin and eat enough smelly cheeses for a few months, one of the real gems of this city is their artisanal chocolate producers. The quality is perfection and the flavors rich, dark and utterly delicious. Yet, which ones to choose? This is the question. We have prepared a list of our favorite 3 producers in Paris and we'll take you on a 3 hr Chocolate tour around the city including numerous tastings. 

Here is a glimpse of who you might see:
** ********- You might want to skip lunch to make a trip to one of the most exclusive chocolatiers in Paris. With his first Paris boutique and incredible creations this is a shop not to be missed. 





********* Hot chocolate often has the power to bring you back to the days when you were 6 sitting at your grandma's house all curled up in a blanket on her couch getting a quick sugar rush from the amazing kid friendly beverage in your hand. We'll this gem in Paris allows you to relive those memories and do it with hot chocolate that is mindblowingly yummy in a beautiful Parisian atmosphere. If you like the idea of thick rich, hot ooey, gooey hot chocolate alongside a meringue pastry pilled high with whipped cream than this is your place. 






******* Probably some of the best truffles in town and numerous flavors to choose from. A quick stop to pop a few into your mouth is a must. 




******* A chocolate mousse bar in Paris – that’s right, folks, a whole bar dedicated to not wine, but chocolate in a tiny tucked away corner in Paris. It is scooped out for you by a spatula and served in a cute little paper cone.  






****** Since being awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France (France’s top craftsman) in 1986. This great chocolatier of Paris, is renowned for his fusion creations of chocolate with non other than cheese. Yup, who would have thought. He mixes his luxurious chocolate with cheeses such Camembert and Roquefort. Not to be missed.  






A hidden Paris chocolate tour is 150 euro per person. It includes visits to numerous chocolate shops around Paris, private guided walking tours and tastings, and tons of insider tips about the city. Email tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com if interested. 


samedi 12 mars 2011

Affordable Michelin Star Restaurants in Paris: The Secret Resto List


 This meal above and the 2 desserts below is a 28 euro lunch option from a Michelin Star Restaurant in of the best arrondissements in Paris! It was incredible. A shot of Jerusalem artichoke soup, raw scallops with lemon oil, cauliflower and broccoli, seared cod with a celery root puree, tempura squid with squid ink mayonnaise, and corn meal puree with sweetbreads! 


Food is one reason sooo many come to France and rightfully so. Dishes here are classic, perfectly executed and full of incredible flavor. It's quite easy to get carried away dreaming and planning of your meals before you get here yet it is straight out frustrating to look at the price tag! A dinner for 250-350 euro would most likely be the best meal of your life yet its just a bit too much. With the right kind of insider knowledge you can visit the "up and coming" new star chefs and Michelin star restaurants with menu's for 26-90 euro. 




If you're interested in having us plan and reserve a few of these gems while making use of our thorough research into the top Michelin Star or similar quality affordable restaurants in Paris please contact us. This concierge type of service, along with reservations for dining for 75 euro. Email tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com





vendredi 11 mars 2011

Secret Guide to French Fashion


So it's not a secret that the French are known for being chic, effortlessly beautiful and "in the know" in terms of fashion. Their outifts just work and somehow even if they are heading to the gym they look put together. They invest in classics like Hermes, Chanel and YSL which will last forever but, the TRUE secret to french fashion is the mainstay brands which create fun, contemporary basics for your everyday wardrobe :)





These 2 brands, **** and ***** are not a "per se" secret BUT they are a MUST visit if you come to Paris and the perfect place to pick up a few ultra feminine, beautiful and chic simple pieces for less than 200 euro to bring back home. 


A trip to these 2 boutiques along with a Personal Shopper from a Parisian Fashion School is 150 Euro


Why not leave Paris with a few beautiful pieces from a Parisian gem along with advice from a hip young fashion student about what looks best on your frame? Email tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com if interested in coming on a trip in Paris!





mercredi 9 mars 2011

A Hidden Parisian Market


**** *** *** Is a Market that is technically one of the oldest covered markets in Paris, constructed in 1615 under the rule of King Louis XIII. The market is definitely off the beaten path and is a must for a lunch stop. Authentic Japanese, a wonderfully creative crepe vendor (who is known to throw unusual ingredients like chevre, feta, honey, basil into crepes), Libanese, African, etc. You really would not find this little hidden gem on its own. Come on one of our market tours and we will take you to this and another great one in a morning market tour finishing with a hidden market lunch! Shhhh if you're not with us and try and find it on your own you might miss it! 


A Market tour in Paris consists of 2 Markets and is 150 Euro for 2 people. Email tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com if interested in coming on one of our trips! This trip includes a morning market and this "hidden market" for a lunch stopover!