Over the next few months members of the Bitton team will be visiting various corners of the globe. We’re looking forward to sharing our favourite places to eat, regional specialties, sites we fall in love with and the things that inspire us.

The first trip began in Paris!

Over the next few months members of the Bitton team will be visiting various corners of the globe. We’re looking forward to sharing our favourite places to eat, regional specialties, sites we fall in love with and the things that inspire us.

The first trip began in Paris!

With only a few days in this romantic city and too many patisseries to count, it meant that one person was assigned the difficult task of eating chocolate eclairs, tarts and macarons for breakfast. It’s a hard life but someone has to do it!

Think pastry that barely requires a bite to melt between your teeth and crème patissière lighter than air. It’s a dangerous territory to enter – you have been warned!

Handmade chocolates are presented like fine jewellery and deservedly so.

On your way to the Louvre, make sure you stop at Angelina’s for a sugar hit to get you through a few hours of walking.

If the idea of tasting a baguette voted the best in Paris makes your spine tingle, then head to Au Levain d’Antan which is a short stroll from Abbesses metro station. Try the croissants while you’re there too.

Asparagus was in season and this simple dish was the most delicious way to serve it. You can just see a poached egg peeking through and once the egg white gave way to the pressure of the fork, the golden yoke oozed out and created a velvety sauce to dip the soft asparagus and crunchy vegetables in. The rest was soaked up with bread and the plate was left clean.

The Beef Tartare was quickly seared leaving the center juicy. The bitterness from the salad with the heat of the mustard were perfect accompaniments. The bowl of fries was a delicious treat. The dish was complimented by a glass of wine from Côtes du Rhône selected from the comprehensive wine list.

Dessert was a classic Apple Tart Tartin and Camembert with French butter and freshly sliced baguette.

Of course a first trip to Paris just wouldn’t be the same without visiting the Eiffel Tower, especially at night when the lights flicker and the crowd of onlookers collectively cheer while couples seize the moment with a kiss.

For fans of Woody Allen’s recent film ‘Midnight In Paris’ Shakespeare and Company is a must. Book lovers will be delighted by the smell of old pages that line the narrow shelves and if you feel so inclined why not leave a poem for the next person to read. There’s a dedicated shelf in a nook at the back of the store where people from far and wide have left their words scribbled on the back of metro tickets and restaurant bills.

If you prefer more excitement, head to Moulin Rouge with an open mind. Without giving away more than the scantily clad dancers, we will say that you can expect anything from donkeys to giant snakes and enough sequins to leave a sparkle in your eyes. Prepare to laugh, gasp and possibly scream.

Considering that the main attraction of Moulin Rouge is the entertainment, we have to be honest by saying our expectations of the food were reasonable. So when the entree of Lobster Tart with Savoury Mousse, Spicy Tomato Concasse and Herb Oil tasted as good as it looked we were very impressed. The entire experience was definitely worth the €200.

There’s so much more to Paris. Tell us what you love about this beautiful city.