I Prefer Paris

La Galette de Rois: A New Years Tradition

Every year starting on January 6th, la galette de Rois (the cake of the three kings), a cake made of frangipane (almond cream paste) and a buttery crust, is sold in patisseries all over France. These delicious cakes celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, where the three wise men came to see the baby Jesus. In certain parts of France the cake is made with brioche and filled with glazed fruit.

A feve- a little china figure is hidden inside of the cake, and whoever gets it, (without breaking a cap when biting into it) is crowned king and gets to choose his queen. The cake is usually sold with a gold paper crown (I suspect if Hermes or Vuitton sells the cake, a real crown is provided).

Pierre Herme, one of the top pastry chefs in Paris, is doing a variation on a theme with a galette of chocolate ganache and also one of almond paste, lychees, and raspberries (pictured below).

Below is a recipe
Recipe: Galette des Rois
(Serves 8)

Ingredients:
1 1/4 lb frozen puff pastry
2 eggs
7 oz almond paste

Preparation: Leave the puff pastry at room temperature for about 2 hours until defrosted but still cold.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with baking parchment or grease the pan and lightly sift flour on it. Shake off any excess flour. Roll each sheet of pastry into a circle about 12 inches across. Place one circle on the prepared pan.

Mix the egg with the almond paste until smooth and spread the mixture evenly on the prepared circle of pastry, leaving a border 1 1/2 inches wide all around. If you have a small piece of china, insert it into the almond mixture (you may also use a bean as the fève.) The person who gets the fève is the King or Queen.
Place the second circle of pastry on top and press it down tightly around the rim.

Beat lightly the remaining egg and brush it on the top of the cake. With a long-bladed knife, press lightly but firmly through the egg glaze marking a crisscross pattern. 

Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and puffed. Do not check for doneness for at least 15 minutes, as the pastry may collapse. Serve slightly warm or cold.

January Special:All tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros

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.

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

Sale on Eye Prefer Paris Tours

Eye Prefer Paris tours is getting into the January sale spirit. We are offering a 15 euro discount on all January tours, and tours will be 160 euros instead of 175 euros. If there was ever a reason to come to Paris, this is it. Look forward to seeing you this month.

Below is my 7 Best Reasons to Visit Paris article again.

1.Airfares are cheap- You can fly from most major U.S. cities for under $500.
2.Reduced hotel rates - It’s off-season, so hotels are 20-40% less. Sometimes the 5 star hotels have special winter packages, so if you’ve ever fantasized about that suite at the Ritz, January is your best bet.Click on this link for January discounts on Marais hotels.
3. Reduced rate on apartment rentals-30% off on renting an apartment in le marais with parismarais.com Please mention special code RN to get this promotion
4. Winter sales- The official Paris winter 2008 sale starts Wednesday January 9th. With reductions from 30 to 60% off, you better get up early and put on your running shoes.
5. Museums & attractions are manageable- The holiday crowds are gone and you may be able to see Mona’s smile from less than 100 feet away or get to the top of Eiffel Tower without wasting the entire day.
6. Weather is decent- There’s not much sunshine but it doesn’t rain or snow very much. The daytime temperatures range between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so just pack a warm coat and scarf and you’re in business. 
7. Best reason of all- A 15 euro discount on an Eye Prefer Paris Tour.
My tours will be 160 euros instead 175 euros for the month of January. Now if this doesn’t have you book a flight to Paris toute de suite, I don’t know what will.

January Special:All tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros
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.

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

January Eye Need to Do’s: Ellen Carey, Ben Franklin, and Bharati

Ellen Carey
Don’t miss American artist Ellen Carey’s magnificent and unique photographic works. Using a 24X20 inch Polaroid camera, she creates one of a kind minimalist abstract color photos with saturated color and pure forms. The show is a collaboration of Jayne H. Baum of JHB Gallery New York and Ibu Gallery Paris.

Ellen Carey, Photography Degree Zero
Ibu Gallery
Jardins du Palais Royal
166 Galerie de Valois,1e
Hours: 11:00 am– 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 7:00 pm Wednesday – Saturday
Tel. 01 42 60 06 41
Till February 29th
More about the show www.jhbgallery.com

Happy 300th Birthday Benjamin Franklin

Ben Franklin was a Paris bon vivant amongst his other illustrious accomplishments. This eye opening new exhibit is a rare look at how influential he was to our history and culture.

Benjamin Franklin
An American in Paris 1776-1785
Till March 9th
Musee Carnavalet
23 rue de Sevigné, 3e
Metro: St. Paul
Tel 01 44 59 58 10
Open daily 10AM-6PM, except Tuesday
www.carnavalet.paris.fr

Hooray for Bollywood
Bahrati, a Bollywood extravaganza with over 70 artists and 800 costumes, is back in Paris after a sold-out run in 2005. A soundtrack of popular Indian movie songs, a giant screen projecting breathtaking landscapes, and martial arts acrobats all come together to tell this beautiful and colorful love story.

Bharati, Once upon a time in India.
Jan. 17th to Feb.2
PALAIS DES CONGRES DE PARIS.
2, place de la Porte Maillot 
Metro : Porte Maillot
Tel: 01 40 68 00 05
www.palaisdescongres-paris.com
www.bharatitheshow.com

Circus Olympics
Over 30 acts of circus artists, clowns, and acrobats from China, Ukraine, Canada, Germany, U.S., UK and Morocco compete for the gold at the Cirque du Phenix. Also a tribute to the French circus will be included in the festivities.

Festival mondial du Cirque de demain
Pelouse De Reuilly
Bois de Vincennes,12e
Tel 01 40 55 50 56
January 31 to February 3
http://www.cirquededemain.com

January Special:All tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros
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.

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