Rose Bakery

My favorite cookbook this season is “Breakfast Lunch Tea” by Rose Carrarini of Rose Bakery in Paris. A good friend took me to Rose Bakery this summer telling me in advance that it was really healthy, and that I would love it. I was immediately suspicious. The name didn’t sound French and the health angle was alarming. Still, my job is to be open minded about new things so I agreed to go, but I was already missing my steak frites.

Rose Bakery is tucked away on a small street in the 9th arrondissement. It’s a humble unassuming little restaurant and I loved it at once. There was a wonderful take out station in front with simple salads, tarts, pizzettes, and an array of desserts. They also sell many of the organic ingredients they use. There’s communal seating in the back where you’ll find an eclectic and exceptionally chic array of people.

When we ordered they brought us bread along with a slab of butter sprinkled with fleur de sel. And not just any bread. This was the staff of life made famous by Jean Luc Poujauran who no longer owns the bakery that bears his name though he does bake bread for a select group of customers. One bite and I knew I was eating the best bread in Paris. The menu was small and I surprised myself by ordering, for the first time ever in Paris, a quiche. As an American familiar with the quiche craze of the 70s, I am quiche averse. But this tart, filled with bacon and cheese and served with a simple bibb salad, was absolutely sensational. The crust was not soggy, the quiche was light as air, and the bacon was crisp. I fell in love with Rose’s that minute.

I was told Rose had another cafe in London at The Dover Market. I was going to be in London later that summer so I made a point of checking it out. The café is on the top floor of the building with the coolest views and a small deck. I ordered a vegetable tart (quiche to you), and to my astonishment it was just as good as the one in Paris. The menu is even smaller here but they have enough great choices to satisfy anyone.

When the cookbook came out I was pleased to find that the recipe for the vegetable tart is in it! I can’t wait to try making some of the other delicious recipes including the toffee pudding which I am going to have for Christmas dinner.



It’s comforting to know that when in Paris or London I have a Rose Bakery to go to.

Rose Bakery
Paris: 46, rue des martyrs
75009 Paris
01.42.82.12.80

London: Comme des Garcons Dover Street Market
17-18 Dover Street
London W1S 4LT
020.74.91.84.60

Rose Bakery

My favorite cookbook this season is “Breakfast Lunch Tea” by Rose Carrarini of Rose Bakery in Paris. A good friend took me to Rose Bakery this summer telling me in advance that it was really healthy, and that I would love it. I was immediately suspicious. The name didn’t sound French and the health angle was alarming. Still, my job is to be open minded about new things so I agreed to go, but I was already missing my steak frites.

Rose Bakery is tucked away on a small street in the 9th arrondissement. It’s a humble unassuming little restaurant and I loved it at once. There was a wonderful take out station in front with simple salads, tarts, pizzettes, and an array of desserts. They also sell many of the organic ingredients they use. There’s communal seating in the back where you’ll find an eclectic and exceptionally chic array of people.

When we ordered they brought us bread along with a slab of butter sprinkled with fleur de sel. And not just any bread. This was the staff of life made famous by Jean Luc Poujauran who no longer owns the bakery that bears his name though he does bake bread for a select group of customers. One bite and I knew I was eating the best bread in Paris. The menu was small and I surprised myself by ordering, for the first time ever in Paris, a quiche. As an American familiar with the quiche craze of the 70s, I am quiche averse. But this tart, filled with bacon and cheese and served with a simple bibb salad, was absolutely sensational. The crust was not soggy, the quiche was light as air, and the bacon was crisp. I fell in love with Rose’s that minute.

I was told Rose had another cafe in London at The Dover Market. I was going to be in London later that summer so I made a point of checking it out. The café is on the top floor of the building with the coolest views and a small deck. I ordered a vegetable tart (quiche to you), and to my astonishment it was just as good as the one in Paris. The menu is even smaller here but they have enough great choices to satisfy anyone.


When the cookbook came out I was pleased to find that the recipe for the vegetable tart is in it! I can’t wait to try making some of the other delicious recipes including the toffee pudding which I am going to have for Christmas dinner.

It’s comforting to know that when in Paris or London I have a Rose Bakery to go to.

Rose Bakery
Paris: 46, rue des martyrs
75009 Paris
01.42.82.12.80

London: Comme des Garcons Dover Street Market
17-18 Dover Street
London W1S 4LT
020.74.91.84.60

Fatty Crab

Fatty Crab is a name that you don’t want to take lightly. It’s your first signal that this is not a restaurant for the timid. Here is a place for serious eaters and anyone who loves pork.

This Malaysian inspired menu by Zak Pelaccio is inspiring, authentic, and seductive. The appetizers are great for sharing but I would gladly make a meal out of them alone. The Jalan Alor Chicken Wings are sumptuous, but my absolute favorite dish is the Pork Steamed buns. Nestled inside a light bun is a thick wedge of poached pork that is so tender and rich that it takes the pork bun to a whole new level. I was full after eating just one which is only a minor (and temporary) drawback . The watermelon pickle and crispy pork salad was very tasty as well. Chunks of fresh watermelon with chunky pork lardons are a surprising and happy pairing.

As a main course we ordered the Nasi Lemak, coconut rice, chicken curry, and a slow poached egg in which the distinctive flavors all harmonize brilliantly. Total comfort food. Steamed baby bok choy with a light soy dressing came as a lovely relief.

The wine list is short, sweet and well edited for the food. I ordered the 2005 Gruner Veltliner Gran Cru from Steininger. The acidity cut through the spices and flavors of the dishes with total clarity and complemented the food beautifully.

I love this place even though I can’t imagine eating there regularly. As we left the restaurant, my friend and I both felt totally satisfied and happy. We wanted to walk, (about 5 miles) to work off the dinner but jumped in a cab instead and called it a night.

Fatty Crab
643 Hudson St
NYC
212.352.3590
www.fattycrab.com

Zojirushi "Zutto" Rice Cooker & Warmer

If you love McCann's steel cut Irish oatmeal (thought by many people to be the best on earth), you probably don't love how long it takes to cook or how hard it is to clean the pan afterwards. You've probably also discovered that the quicker cooking varieties of McCann's are no substitute for the real deal. Luckily there is a brilliant solution to this problem devised by Matt Rosenberg and Kerry Trueman, founders of Eating Liberally, a very cool club and website. It requires a good rice cooker such as a Zojirushi that has a porridge setting. Here's the drill:

Matt and Kerry's Irish oatmeal
2 and 1/2 cups of water
1 cup steel cut Irish oatmeal
A bit of salt to taste

Put your rice cooker on the porridge setting. Set the timer for whenever you want the oatmeal to be done. That's it. If you do this before you go to sleep at night you will wake to the heavenly smell of McCann's in the morning. And, cleaning the pan is a breeze.