The Sweet Life in Paris - David Lebovitz

The Sweet Life in Paris

By David Lebovitz

  • Release Date: 2009-05-05
  • Genre: Travel Essays & Memoirs
Score: 4
4
From 113 Ratings

Description

From the New York Times bestselling author of My Paris Kitchen and L'Appart, a deliciously funny, offbeat, and irreverent look at the city of lights, cheese, chocolate, and other confections.

Like so many others, David Lebovitz dreamed about living in Paris ever since he first visited the city and after a nearly two-decade career as a pastry chef and cookbook author, he finally moved to Paris to start a new life. Having crammed all his worldly belongings into three suitcases, he arrived, hopes high, at his new apartment in the lively Bastille neighborhood. But he soon discovered it's a different world en France.

From learning the ironclad rules of social conduct to the mysteries of men's footwear, from shopkeepers who work so hard not to sell you anything to the etiquette of working the right way around the cheese plate, here is David's story of how he came to fall in love with—and even understand—this glorious, yet sometimes maddening, city.

When did he realize he had morphed into un vrai parisien? It might have been when he found himself considering a purchase of men's dress socks with cartoon characters on them. Or perhaps the time he went to a bank with 135 euros in hand to make a 134-euro payment, was told the bank had no change that day, and thought it was completely normal. Or when he found himself dressing up to take out the garbage because he had come to accept that in Paris appearances and image mean everything.

Once you stop laughing, the more than fifty original recipes, for dishes both savory and sweet, such as Pork Loin with Brown Sugar–Bourbon Glaze, Braised Turkey in Beaujolais Nouveau with Prunes, Bacon and Bleu Cheese Cake, Chocolate-Coconut Marshmallows, Chocolate Spice Bread, Lemon-Glazed Madeleines, and Mocha–Crème Fraîche Cake, will have you running to the kitchen for your own taste of Parisian living.

Reviews

  • Awesome.

    5
    By missheather_CA
    Finally a really enjoyable book about my favorite city. Very sweet!
  • Hilarious and delicious

    5
    By Sehl8042
    I read it during my recent trip to Paris and it really enhanced my experience, which is really saying something considering how incredibly magical Paris already is on it's own. Really funny, great recipes and exciting tips on where to go and what to get!
  • Enjoy and drool!

    5
    By Stacey in NM, USA
    Enjoy the stories and drool over the recipes! It can all be yours! I loved that David actually shared the Paris locations where he shops with contact information. I can make his recipes AND I can visit any of these shops on my next visit to Paris! I have already visited a few of the the websites recommended in the back of the book......including the author's blog and newsletter! It's a good book that doesn't have to end!
  • A Delecious Confection

    5
    By Mykamelot
    David's stories are as delicious as his recipes! I savored every moment.