To say that there has been buzz about a certain Paris-Brest in France’s capital is an understatement.  You may already be seeing pink just at the mention of it – which can only mean one thing: You’re familiar with La Pâtisserie des Rêves, Philippe Conticini’s “pastry shop of dreams” that opened in September of 2009.  (Bravo to those of you who correctly identified it in the Paris sweets quiz!)  Ever since the opening, Parisians and visiting foodies have been flocking there to see (and taste) Conticini’s masterful reworking of France’s classic pastries, including the Tarte Tatin, Saint-Honoré, éclair au chocolat and au café… and the Paris-Brest.

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It was several years ago that I first spent time in London, visiting my sister-in-law.  Long weekends there meant staying at the house, enjoying quality family time, cooking and baking together and playing with our nephews and niece.  I did however once find myself with a few hours to roam different neighborhoods and discover London on my own.  What struck me were the colors – however ironic considering the gray, rainy weather I had.  Those fabulous black taxis aside, what I recall are the brightly colored doors and facades of brownstones, streets resembling color swatches in a paint store.  Not to mention the fun red double-decker buses, of course.  The sweetest memory of them all – pastry shop windows with meringues the size of rugby balls in bold colors like hot pink (recipe below).  I tasted a raspberry meringue in Notting Hill, devoured another near the Borough Market, and covered my clothes in crumbs after a chocolate-marbled meringue in Islington.  I loved London!

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Château d’Oex’s International Hot Air Balloon festival is rapidly approaching, and some of you may be making  plans to head that way.  Going for the weekend is a wonderful excuse to visit the beautiful region of Gruyère, especially the charming, medieval village of the same name – even if spelled differently (Gruyères).  You’ll take 200 photos of the most photogenic hot air balloons, rising high against a backdrop of the breathtaking Swiss Alps, their colors easy to spot against the clean blanket of pure white snow. Then perhaps you’ll visit Gruyères- its storybook château and one pedestrian street, and then stop in a café for a hot chocolate, as well as the region’s famously rich double cream and meringues.  But you must be saying to yourself now… isn’t the region more well known for… cheese?!

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The new year has just begun and many people are compiling their lists.  Lists of new (or carried over) resolutions, trips to plan and goals to achieve.  Lists looking back on 2009 too, all sorts of “the best of.”  I love lists! I started thinking about my favorite travels, adventures and experiences.  Nearly impossible to come up with a short list, I decided to select one trip that definitely tops the charts.

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For many, the holidays are made up of a seriously gourmand series of meals, special menus and treats in December.  Nothing wrong with that, of course.  A grande finale takes place perhaps on New Year’s Eve or Day, when the celebrations come to a close and the new year begins (with or without resolutions).  But one musn’t forget January 6th, Epiphany – and one more treat to savor.

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