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Saturday, November 21, 2009

Post Cards From Paris - Part 2

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La Bovida

Mora

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Continuing from where we left off in part 1...  As you would recall, I had some difficulty finding E Dehillerin and it was while I was walking around aimlessly that I spotted La Bovida which was about 200m from E Dehillerin. Shopping at Dehillerin is an amazing experience, because it makes you feel like you are part of the industry, almost... just almost at the same level as the professionals in the circle. The store was dusty and most things are displayed for your view only. Prices were not displayed hence, every time you see something, you have to approach the boisterous shopkeeper to ask for the price. Upon confirming your intention to purchase it, he will scribble your order down on a piece of paper and send someone to get it for you from the warehouse.

La Bovida, on the other hand is a more modern set up. It is what you would describe as a kitchen ware boutique. The variety of products is no doubt smaller but they do have some interesting products that I found to be reasonably priced. I got 3 mini Le Creuset casseroles which I honestly love to death now. 2 of them were mat black and I got an additional beige coloured one.

Le Creuset2

The staff at La Bovida were friendly and helpful but it was at KitchenBazaar the next day that I had the most delightful shopping experience. (for some reason, the webpage does not work, Chic Cityrats has a better picture of the shop)

I was on my way to see the Eiffel Tower which was a 7 mins walk from the hotel I was staying at when I got lured into the KitchenBazaar.

KitchenBazzar1

KitchenBazzar2

 KitchenBazaar has a network of shops spread around France. This is again a more modern kitchen specialist with more user friendly gadgets that we will generally find useful and practical in our kitchen. You will also be able to find interesting little knick knacks that you can wow your guests with at your house party. They also have the prettiest Le Creuset Mini Casserole Set that comes in Mauve, Purple and Pink. I almost wanted to buy these but restrained myself as I had already purchased 3 the day earlier at La Bovida. (Warning, be very careful when you shop for kitchen supplies. Make sure you have enough luggage allowance at the airport - I almost busted my limit and had to remove stuff from my check in luggage!)
It was at the store that I met 2 of the most friendly store managers , Matteo and Florence. Florence does not speak English and it was Matteo who manages another store at rue Croix des Petits Champs(10mins walk from La Bovida)  that shared with me alot of valuable information about the kitchen supplies scene.

Interestingly, the main kitchen supply stores are all located within a radius of 300m from each other at La Halles. Dehillerin is 100m from La Bovida while Mora and A Simon are just across the street from La Bovida and Kitchenbazaar is another 10mins walk from La Bovida. It's crazy - almost like going on a kitchen supplies shopping binge. The reason for the concentration of these shops at La Halle is because the area used to be a big fresh produce wholesale market. Resturants and smaller grocery shops will come to La Halle to procure their supplies. As such, dotted around its peripheral are amazing restuarants as well as restuarant supplies wholesalers. The market has since be moved out of La Halles but some very good resaturants and wholesaler stores still remain. I was really lucky when Matteo had offered to buy me lunch at one of these restaurants in the area.

lesfinesgueules3

lesfinesgueules1
This is a quaint but cosy little restaurant situated opposite the KitchenBazaar store at Rue Croix des Petits Champs which incidentally,is a really pretty neighbourhood. I loved its 'restaurant-in-a-hole' atmosphere which makes it really endearing. I was also told that the sexy Italian actress, Monica Bellucii lives in the neighbourhood with her director husband and frequents the restuarant quite regularly.

Matteo&Chef
Matteo and Chef
Matteo is very familiar with everyone at the restaurant so it was fun. I even got to go into the kitchen. I was suprised that it was so small (smaller than my own kitchen!) but with 3 chefs working there, they were turning out  200 meals every day. For the longest time, I have been complaining about the size of my own kitchen - it was really a humbling experience.

Beef Tartare

I had the house special Beef Tartare for lunch. This is actually ground raw beef and I know there are many people out there who feel queasy about it. I've had Beef Tartare before - always at very good French Restaurants in Asia. I have been told by my French colleague that it is not easy to make a good Beef Tartare. First of all, the beef needs to be of top quality and the way you season and prepare it is also of utmost importance lest they turn out mushy and 'raw'.  The beef tartare I had at this restaurant was actually very good. It was cut coarser than what I've had before but the meat was so tender and seasoned so well that you forget you are eating raw beef.

This was my second visit to Paris - the first time was a whirlwind 1.5 days. This second trip was another 2 days 'by the way' kind of arrangement. I have not been to the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower. L had teased me that that's because I had all my priorities mixed up - that I should see the sights first, then buy stuff, then have lunch with stranger....(strictly in that order. Of course the last one is never to be encouraged). However, I have enjoyed myself most thoroughly though it was wretched that I had to lug back so many things - definitely not a chic traveller.

Directions:
For those who are eager to check out the Kitchen Supply scene, please check out the links provided above. I encourage you to start at E Dehillerin. The easiest way is probably to take the subway Line 4 to Eteinne Marcel . Along Rue Eteinne Marcel, look for the big post office and walk towards the general direction of Rue Montmarte. At the junction of Rue Montmarte, make a left turn and you should see E-Dehillerin at the corner. La Bovida is just at the intersection of Rue Montmarte and Rue Eteinne Marcel.

10 comments:

peasepudding said...

Love listening to your experience in Paris particulary since it is centred around food and cook shops. Isn't it amazing how long E Dehillerin has been trading, it's like stepping back in time going into that shop I have to confess it is the most memorable visit of my trip even more so that Laduree! Look forward to more posts

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Hi Peasepudding! I totally agree with you. Venturing to these places gets you off the beaten track and indeed is more memorable than a visit to Laduree...for it appears that every other patisserie round the corner seems to be as amazing in their craft! All of them.. they do it so well.

Irene's Footprints said...

wow...how much you paid for the 3 minis le creuset? Looks real chic..esp b&w.

You speak french? Some pp said it is difficult to get around Paris bec of the language....Like to hear from u..

Great pics

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Hi Irene, the 2 mat black ones came in a set: about 32 euro. They have a set of 3 that sells for around 45-47euro. La Bovida has a set in grey, black and white. KitchenBazaar has one set in mauve, purple and pink - very pretty.

I don't speak French, I don't even try. People used to warn me that the French are very hostile and unhelpful especially if you don't speak French- but I have decided that is all rubbish. I have never had an unpleasant/rude encounter so far. Yes, many of them don't speak French and what I am more perturbed about is, most them don't know their surroundings that well. But with body language and hand gestures, you get by... quite fun.You will be suprised by how much can understand 'French'.

Mr. P said...

I want those pans! Beautiful!

I go to Paris all the time. I'm checking that place out.

Tasha said...

Just returned from my first trip to Paris last week and spent a lot of time wandering through all the kitchen supply stores. I really had to work hard to refrain from too many purchases! One of my favorite ways to see a new city is through its off the beaten path shops. Thanks for sharing!

Irene's Footprints said...

u got a good deal...taka sells those tiny pots at around $100 plus..i saw it before...hmmm..the B&W series perfectly matched ur kitchen top!

love it...

did you buy any silpat baking mats? Hope i can get good deal there from my fren who is in Paris now.

So you are back now with ur new tool...Madeleines tray!

cool!

I think those pp who said about the hostility of french pp etc..maybe it is their luck that they encounter one...I shd think they are fine...i am tempted to do a Provence trip now!

Did you have any luggage overload problem? Unless is biz class...economy is at most 25 kg...

: )

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Irene, I think the ones you refer to at Taka are cast iron version. These are ceramic. No, I didn't buy any silpat - have too many of them already.

Irene's Footprints said...

oh...ceramic. If it is cast iron..it wil be real heavy then...

Good deal..anyway..

Any more posts on Paris coming up?

Real nice place

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Maybe one more instalment. I have more pictures on Mariage Freres and Nespresso... also I haven't written anything on Munich... racing against time before I leave for another business trip.

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