I was on the horns of a dessert dilemma. After packing a few pounds back on during the holidays consuming foie gras and various desserts, I was eager to get back to a less sugar/fat filled regime for the New Year, but then two galettes de rois later (I luckily got the feve in each one, so I think it's is going to be a lucky year), the scale was staying the same. By January 15, I was more than ready but realized I still had to have my Dessert of the Month. In my memory bank of desserts, I recalled the almost obscene looking caramel éclair at Jacques Genin. My dilemma was a sense of duty required me to taste it and report about it, but I didn't want to down the whole thing, however easy that would be for me. I thought of taking someone with me to share it and remembered my friend Mary Gilbert was visiting from Cincinnati that week. Mary had made a date with me to go to Les Enfants Rouges market and Jacques Genin was a hop, skip, and pastry jump away from the market.
Mary brought three other friends with her and we enjoyed some hearty Moroccan food at the market. We headed over to Jacques Genin, one of the most beautiful patisseries and tea salons in Paris and we sat in their comfy, elephant gray leather club chairs. A simple tasting turned into a dessert bacchanal and our table was overflowing with hot chocolate, pastries, chocolates, and jelly candies.
Our caramel éclair was long and shiny, much like the garish 1963 Cadillac my parents owned when I was a kid. The glaze was so shiny, Mary was almost able to touch up her makeup looking into the reflection. I reluctantly cut it in half. We both agreed that the pastry was crispy, almost like a profiterole, which was unusual, because most of the éclairs we have had in the past were flaky. It was also light as air and the caramel cream was intensely flavorful and not super sugary. What was also unusual is that the top of the eclair was chocolate and not caramel, which I thought was a smart choice because most of the time I find the caramel icing too sweet with a waxy consistency.
Mary had also indulged in the dreamy hot chocolate and I, of course had to sample some, plus every one else's dessert (I consider this must-do research for future Dessert's of the Month), plus sampling the exquisite chocolates and jelly squares which came with the hot chocolate. I totally blew my just-a-half-éclair theory and ended up adding about 10,000 calories.
Today is my birthday and not sure what the cake forecast is, but given the fact that everyone knows what a sweet freak I am, I am sure they will show no mercy and the cake will be sinful, rich, highly caloric, and delicious. The trouble is that I am going on a beach vacation in less than a week and don't want my black and white striped bathing suit to stretch so much that it will turn into solid gray. Guess I'll have to do something beyond power yoga.
Jacques Genin
133 rue du Turenne, 75003
Metro: Filles-Calvaire
Open daily 11AM-7PM except Monday
http://jacquesgenin.fr/
I SWEAR I gave the other half to Mary.
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New Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
OMG that looks amazing. Do eclairs usually come in flavors other than chocolate and coffee? (That's the only 2 kinds that I have seen down here in Poitou-Charentes.) i'm on Dukan and haven't been in the same room as an eclair for 2 months. Probably shouldn't have looked at this post. : (
Posted by: Jadzia | January 26, 2012 at 06:39 AM
The eclairs look heavenly but the sweetest treat of all was getting to meet you in person and become 'bffbp' -- best friends forever because of Paris! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RICHARD -- sending you ALL the happiness in the world on your special day. Reading your blog everyday is just like spending time with you -- deeeelightful! Have a wonderful day and remember...somebody in Texas loves you!
Posted by: barb in texas | January 26, 2012 at 03:34 PM
Jacques Guenin may have my favorite eclairs in Paris!
Posted by: ParisienSalon | January 26, 2012 at 04:00 PM
He's telling the truth...I did get my half!
Happy Birthday mon ami!
xx,
M
Posted by: MadAboutParis | January 26, 2012 at 09:40 PM
The happiest of Birthdays Richard, and thank you again for your daily posts, which you compose with a fabulous flair.
Posted by: Jeff - too far from Paris | January 27, 2012 at 07:19 AM
Happy birthday Richard! You gave your readers a gift with your description of the eclair!
Posted by: Benita | January 28, 2012 at 10:49 AM
The eclair looks too good!
Can't wait to go tast for myself!!
Posted by: Maria Ronquillo | January 30, 2012 at 07:42 AM