Amen! There is a God - Des Gateaux et du Pain - Paris, France

Here we go again, more cake! But I love it, I can't live without it and I am not ashamed :/.

I think I have a new favourite patisserie in Paris, everythingI have tried from here has been so delightful. I cannot wait to go back. Let me share with you, while you drool over your screen. 

Pistachio Cherry Saint Honore - €6.80

Pistachio cream filled choux pastry surrounded by pistachio chantilly cream nested on top of a shortcrust disc and topped with a stewed cherry.

Not your average saint honore, I really love the contrasting colours of this dessert. For me, I always find pistachio desserts to be quite medicinal tasting, this saint honore was anything but that. It is the best pistachio flavoured dessert I have ever had.

Raspberry Mascarpone Tarts - €6.50

Short crust tart shells filled with almond cream, mascarpone cream and topped with fresh raspberries.

J'adore la Fraise Tart

Cherry Clafoutis

Also offering a range of bread and viennoiseries.  There is something here for everyone, they even have icecream! 

Croissants - €1.50

Todays haul was Calisson (front left) -  sparkling wine blancmange, marzipan and apricot compote on top of a soft biscuit €6.00, a raspberry mascarpone tart and I just had to double up on the saint honore, it is one of my favourite things to eat and I refuse to share!

Finishing off my dessert smorgasboard..

Lipstik Abricot  - €6.50

Vanilla mousse, apricot compote, vanilla cream and almond biscuit 

Such a beautiful and elegant dessert, I was really suprised at how it tasted. So light and delicate, the perfect dessert to end my day.

Check them out [here] or [MAP]

Betty Jane x

Sarnie times! Frenchie to Go - Paris, France

Since I arrived in Paris there has been one place on my mind. Frenchie! Unfortunately they are closed for the summer due to renovations, but next door Frenchie to Go is still open. 

There is something about pulled pork that I absolutely love, I just cannot turn it down. When I first walked past Frenchie to Go I saw it on the menu and it has been visiting me in my dreams ever since. So today I head there for lunch.

I put in my order, find a seat and wait patiently. I have beaten the lunch time crowd and know that my food will be infront of me in a few short minutes. Fifteen minutes later, I'm still waiting as everyone who has ordered before and after me have all finished their meals and moved on. The waitress realises that they have forgotten about my food and puts a priority on it, finally.. my food arrives.

Pulled pork sandwich - Smoked pulled pork, coleslaw and spinach €10

The pulled pork sandwich, is my knight in shining armour that has come to save the day. Full of flavour and everything I had hoped it would be.

Reuben sandwich - Pastrami, cheddar and coleslaw on rye bread €12

Next up, the reuben sandwich and fries (which have been added as a complimentary for the wait). Let me remind you at this point I am starving and the pulled pork was shared, which has just opened up our bellies leaving them wanting more!

The reuben sandwich is burnt! The taste of burnt toast ruins what could have been.. a sick pastrami sandwich! Had I not been so hungry I would have happily sent it back, we have all been in the same situation where we don't want to wait for another one to be cooked. 

Caution - extremely addictive fries.

Though I may have been slightly let down by the reuben sandwich, it won't stop me from coming back. I love the concept, the atmosphere and that everything is made inhouse. New york style with a french twist! Á bientôt!

Check them out [here] or [MAP]

Betty Jane x

No Longer Afraid of the Big Golden Snail - L'Escargot Montorgueil - Paris, France

I cannot tell you how many times I have walked past this restaurant, yes the one on Rue Montorgueil with the giant golden snail on top. I'm sure you have all done the same, curious to go in yet assuming it is just another tourist trap. Well.. I finally did it, I went there for dinner.

After an evening of shopping, tired and hungry I ended up outside this establishment and thought "what the hey, let's try it once and for all".

I didn't expect the interior to be so lovely. Warm inviting and very french, I now had high hopes for our meal. 

The restaurant was packed at this hour though we didn't have a reservation, the staff worked quickly to find us a table. 

On the short walk to our table I could smell the aromas of food around me, they were all so tantalizing!

 I could not wait to eat!

Traditional snails - Burgundy style snails in garlic parsley butter €12

For a restaurant specializing in snails, we ordered a few different types.

Burgundy truffle snails - Snails in truffle butter topped with truffle shavings €18

Though the snails were tasty, I prefer mine with a little excess butter. I like to dip my bread into the left over juices after polishing off my snails, sadly I didn't get to do that this time.

Gueusaille de kouikette - Potatoes with petite gris snails and lautrec pink garlic cream €18

I have never had snails this way before, but I am glad I have now cause this dish was simple and delicious. You can't go wrong with potatoes and garlic cream!

Squid in ink - Squid cooked catalane style €11

This dish was a cold dish and was probably my least favourite, I would have preferred  this if it was warm. Not really a fan of cold squid.

Frogs legs meuniere aurore escoffier style - Frogs legs cooked in hazelnut butter and fried parsley €16

These were lovely and I know they taste just like chicken but one was enough for me. No matter how many times I eat frogs legs, I just cant get past that mental image of slimey green frogs skin. 

Venerated onion soup gratineé des halles - Onion soup with grated gruyere cheese and toasted croutons - €14

Though the soup was tasty I found it a little heavy and the soggy bread was quite unpleasant.

Spinach, pork, foie gras and pine kernel pasqualine pie with sweet and sour mushroom pickles €12

Wow! What a pie. This is one of the best pies I have had in my time, it had so much flavour and the pastry was light and flakey. I will be going back for this!

Grilled Chicken "cour d'armoise" with potato and herb puree €24

Another winner dish! Really flavoursome, tender and juicy chicken. The potato and herb puree was a little heavy on the garlic but it was still enjoyable.

I was really suprised how good the food was. If it was a tourist restaurant, it's the best tourist restaurant I've been to. Give it a go, don't be afraid of the giant golden snail.

Apologies for my terrible iphone photos.

Check them out [MAP]

Betty Jane x

Not all Genies Come in Lamps - L'éclaire du Genie - Paris, France

Everyone loves eclairs, everyone but me. I have had quite an issue with the eclair, being I have never had a good one. That was until I heard of this great little eclair haven to visit when in Paris. This was going to be the one, the one to make me love eclairs, I could feel it. 

As soon as I step foot in the door I am in love, these are the most perfect eclairs I have ever seen, almost too good to eat. With such a lovely selection available I change my mind and skip the classic, it's hot outside today so I'm going with the eclair glacé! (glacé means ice cream)

I step outside and unwrap my ice cream as fast as possible, as if there were a golden ticket hidden inside. Take a quick happy snap and devour my treat within minutes. 

Chocolate praline eclair ice cream - €6.50

Raspberry pistachio eclair ice cream - €6.50

A wonderful range of chocolate bars, chocolate covered nuts and spreads. Perfect for taking home and having something on hand to treat yourself with when you need a hit.

Chocolate truffles = Balls of goodness

I'm already planning my next visit, who's coming with?!

Check them out [here] or [MAP]

Betty Jane x

A Very Merry Unbirthday to Me! - La Pâtisserie des Rêves - Paris, France

It's been about a week since I have arrived in Paris, and today c'est mon anniversaire! I really don't want to have another birthday yet, so let's just pretend it's an ordinary day thats special? For once I feel no need for all the bells and whistles, I want to do something simple, beautiful and perfect. After much thought, I head to my  chosen patisserie for this un special day, grab a few treats fit for a queen and head to Jardin du Luxembourg.

Strawberry tart - €39

This is the quintessential modern day patisserie, it's like someting out of the Jetsons. I love it! and it's so hygenic.. yes I am a germaphobe :/

So many choices, so little stomach space. Today is un special so I will choose something just for that.

Orange cake - €3.10

Raspberry and matcha tea cake - €3.10

Saint-Honore - €39

Paris brest - €37

Viennoiseries - Brioche!

Apple turnovers and Kouign Amann

Paris brest - €5.90 and Saint-Honore - €6.90

My first (let's not say it) in Paris, I decided to go with the french classics. I'll start with the paris brest, my first bite was like a praline punch to the face but a light and airy one, every mouthful was a flavour explosion. 

Moving onto the Saint-Honore, layers of puff pastry, light choux pastry, caramel and cream. What a delight, such a beautiful dessert, this is my new favourite thing to eat.. like seriously. 

Jardin du Luxembourg

Today has been absolute bliss and I couldn't be happier, things seem to be going in the right direction for a change. I asked for great weather, a beautiful location, a handsome date, delectable pastries and you know what? I got it all. 

I look forward to a new chapter in my life. I only wish I had a full sized kitchen to turn out some recipes. Until then I can only share purchased items going into my belly.

Have a very merry unbirthday wherever you are!

Check them out [here] or [MAP]

Betty Jane x

The Dogs - Edinburgh, Scotland

In Edinburgh. Eat at The Dogs. Mission complete.

Theres nothing I love more than exceptional food at affordable prices. The food at the dogs boasts british and scottish cuisine that will blow you away. 

I was pretty indecisive when it came to ordering, everything on the menu sounded absolutely divine. Fortunately the lovely staff gave me some suggestions. Pheew! 

Rabbit ragu with barley risotto - £4.75

I'm not usually one to eat game meat but I love barley and I'm in Scotland. This rabbit ragu had so much depth in flavour, the risotto was thick, oozy and left me wanting more. Can't wait for the next dish!

Haggis with neeps, tatties and whisky sauce - £5.95

First time eating haggis and I am so lucky to have had such a delightful experience with it. Nice and crisp on the outside, loving the potato chunks and the creamy whisky sauce. I think I'm addicted.

Skirlie and bacon stuffed pork belly with barley, vegetable broth and pork sauce - £11.95

I know I ordered this because I love pork everything! Pork belly especially, my favourite cut of meat. A beautifully glazed, melt in your mouth piece of pork. What more could I ask for? the dishes have all been rich, hearty and unlike anything I've ever eaten. Comfort food at its best.

Lemon posset with oat and ginger biscuit - £3.65

The perfect way to finish off my meal, a light citrusy dessert to cleanse my palette. 

Overlangshaw farmhouse ice cream -£3.80

Ok I got ice cream too, for no other reason than I'm greedy! Ice cream is my kryptonite. 

My favourite place in all of Scotland, can't wait to go back.

Check them out [here] or [MAP]

Betty Jane x

Cone Life! - Gelato & Ice cream - Sangsu, Seoul, South Korea

Gelati Gelati - Sangsu-dong

Tiramisu and salted caramel chocolate (double scoop) - 4,000 won

There is no better way to end my trip to Seoul than with cones of sweet sweet goodness. Gelati Gelati is your typical italian gelateria, with the simplest flavours on offer hidden under silver lids (which I do not like! I eat with my eyes first) the gelato here definitely satisfied my tastebuds on this hot summers day. 

My tiramisu was on point here, probably the best tiramisu gelato I have had and it went so well with the salted caramel chocolate. A match made in heaven. 

Check them out [MAP]

Fell + Cole - Sangsu-dong

Super cute blue box tucked away in the streets of Sangsu-dong. This ice creamery reminded me of an ice box, maybe that was the look they were going for. Gastronomic ice cream made with all natural ingredients in small batches, they also have vegan options too.

With flavours like pineapple cayenne and perilla leaves my mind didn't know what to choose, what ended up on my cone was carrot cake. A flavour I have yet to try in ice cream form but a flavour that is always warming to my tummy.

Boy was I glad I chose this flavour! It actually tasted like I was eating carrot cake, tiny gratings of carrot and pecans. I couldn't get enough, I tried to savour the moment for once and make my ice cream last as long as possible. This is the ultimate ice cream spot for me, I haven't had a flavour this good since.. I really can't remember. Cudos to Fell + Cole!

Carrot cake ice cream (single scoop) - 5,200 won

Raspberry champagne sorbet (single scoop) - 5,200 won 

Ice cream sandwiches

Their cute 60's inspired mod interior.

Check them out [here] or [MAP]

Betty Jane x