While traveling through Bretagne one very cold January, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in the small picturesque village of Pont Aven. This charming fairy-book town of modest, thatched granite houses, a flowing river and old mills, is known for being the home of artist Paul Gaugin. In the culinary world, Pont Aven is a designated “Site of Exceptional Culinary Taste” for being the delicious epicurean land of melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies - les galettes et les sablés beurrés.

What a concept! Pierre Cluizel, accomplished chocolatier, and son of maître chocolatier Michele Cluizel, has opened the world’s first ‘chocolate concept store’ in the heart of St. Germain des Près.  If you have even a slight interest in fine chocolate you should go... as soon as possible!

For so many of us, soufflés are mysterious, sexy and oh so French. So where better to experience the ultimate soufflé than in Paris? The place to indulge yourself is La Cigale Récamier.

After a morning cooking class at the Cordon Bleu, my friend and I had a business meeting with the marketing director who encouraged us to experience lunch at an intimate bistro that is a favorite of Cordon Bleu students and chefs. We gladly took her advice and walked right around the corner to Le Bélisaire.

Dinner with a view, anyone? Here’s my newest discovery in Paris:

On a warm summer evening, I gazed at the glittering Eiffel Tower from the terrace of Les Ombres Restaurant, sipping an aperitif of Pommery Blanc de Blanc champagne with a friend. What a special combination: a spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower - only a few hundred yards away and twinkling every hour on the hour - with French cuisine and wine!