Learn How to Make Homemade Pasta :: West Coast Food Tour!

Learn How to Make Homemade Pasta :: West Coast Food Tour!

I am so excited to be on another food tour with Smeg, USA!

three-colored-pasta-veritcalProbably by now you’ve been aware of my obsession with their 1950’s style small appliances. I just love the cool design; it’s the only appliance that I want to leave out on my countertops. My favorite appliance is their stand mixer and pasta attachments. I love the look on peoples’ faces when I’m able to show them how to make fresh, homemade pasta in 20 minutes. Eating, healthy good food has never been so easy!

three-color-pasta-stand-mixer-web-italicanakitchenCome stop by at these free demonstrations, say hi and I’ll share with you all of my pasta making tips and tricks. I’m excited to see you there!

Here is the lineup to the upcoming events:

Vancouver, Canada

Hudson’s Bay Company

Address: 674 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1Z6, Canada

     Thursday, January 12th 12-2pm and 4-6pm

    Friday, January 13th  12-2pm and 4-6pm

     Sunday, January 15th 12-2pm and 4-6pm

San Francisco, USA

Thursday, January 19th — Williams-Sonoma — 12-2pm

340 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Friday, January 20th  Bloomingdale’s — 12-2pm

Address: Westfield San Francisco Centre, 845 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

Saturday, January 21st — Williams-Sonoma — 12-2pm

340 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Sunday, January 22nd — Bloomingdale’s — 12-2pm

Address: Westfield San Francisco Centre, 845 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

NYC-Web-CindyThis post is in collaboration with Smeg USA. All of the thoughts are my own.

 

USA Food Tour and Cooking Classes!

USA Food Tour and Cooking Classes!

I apologize for the absence in the past month! If you’ve been following italicana kitchen on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter then you’ve probably been following my USA food tour. I’ve been reporting back on Radio Bruno, an Italian radio station, on new food and wine trends in America,  I’m organizing private pasta-making classes in people’s homes using the lovely Smeg stand mixer, which I absolutely adore, and I’m doing pasta-making demonstrations at various Williams-Sonoma stores and The Culinary Stone in Seattle, Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. 

Italicana-Kitchen-Private-Cooking-ClassesIf you are in the Seattle or Spokane area, contact me to organize a homemade pasta-making class! I’ll be in Seattle until READ MORE!

Il Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa 

Il Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa 

I expected only the best at Il Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa: nice rooms, quality food and good service. To say that this hotel lived up to my expectations is an understatement; it offers so much more.

Il-Renaissance-Tuscany-Il-Ciocco-Resort-SpaFirst we need to talk about the hotel’s remarkable location. I’ve been to Tuscany several times and I’m well acquainted with the soft rolling hills dotted with vineyards and lined with Cyprus trees. If you haven’t been to Tuscany, well then, you’ve at least probably READ MORE

What and Where to Eat in Paris 

What and Where to Eat in Paris 

If you want to explore Paris by mouth, you won’t have any trouble. In every neighborhood you’ll find pastry shops (pâstisserie), tea houses (salon de thé), restaurants and traditional brasseries, which are restaurants with simple fixed menus and are usually open every day. You won’t ever have problems finding food in Paris; you will have problems choosing just what to eat—don’t worry, I’m here to help.

What-and-Where-to-Eat-in-Paris-Eiffle-TowerA trip to Paris would not be complete without a true tastings of French pastries.

3 Pastries You Have to Eat in Paris

Croissant 

Macaron

Èclair 

Not all croissants, macarons and éclairs are the same. Trust me; in Paris, quality counts. You’ve probably spent a lot of money to get to Paris, spend that extra few euros for an euphoric gastronomical experience, and not some frozen pastry found in the nearest cafe to your hotel that will leave you unsatisfied.

3 Places You Must Go for Breakfast

1. Ladurée 

What-and-Where-to-Eat-in-Paris-LadureeA gorgeous sit down tea house that has a large menu of sweet and savory options. Drink tea or coffee in China cups and feel French.

 Locations: Many

 I went to the location by the Louvre: 99 Rue de Rivoli 75001 (open 10:00a.m.-20:00)

2. Pierre Hermé

Pierre-Hermè-MacaronThe king of macarons. I could ramble on for hours about the melt-in-your-mouth texture, exotic and harmonic blend of flavors, or that “ah hah” moment you experience when you take your first bite of a true French macaron. Important note: do not try to buy macarons and bring them home for family as presents. Macarons should be bought and eaten. At the maximum you can eat them after 1 day. They told me they would last for up to 4 days, but I can’t repeat this enough: the texture changes and it simply isn’t the same experience when you eat them fresh.

Locations: Many

I went to the boutique by the Louvre: 4 rue Cambon 75001 Paris (open 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m.)

3. Carette

What-and-Where-to-Eat-in-Paris-EclairA large menu of sweet and savory items. This tea house bustles with local Parisians. The winner for me was their caramel éclair and croissant. If you go to their location in Place Des Vosges, you have a small lovely park to stroll through where you will see locals walking their dogs. I also ate a delicious croissant here, but it disappeared in my belly before I could take a photo!

Locations: 25 place des Vosges 75003 – Paris and

Hours: Open daily, 7:30 to midnight

Locations: 4 place du Trocadéro 75016 – Paris

Hours: Open daily, 7am to 11:30pm Monday to Friday and 7:30am to 11:30pm Saturday and Sunday

What-and-Where-to-Eat-in-Paris-MarketParis is extremely easy to get around by metro, but I would highly recommend getting lost meandering the small side streets. You’ll find a plethora of boutiques, art galleries and markets to peruse. Speaking of markets, I would highly suggest that for lunch you grab some French cheese, a baguette and, weather permitting, head to one of the numerous parks to enjoy a picnic. This way you can save money and space for dinner. Check out this guide to food markets in Paris. 

What-and-Where-to-Eat-in-Paris-CheeseFrance is notorious for their amazing chefs, and now I understand why. These masterminds turn a meal, something we eat by necessity, into an exciting taste adventure. Paris is a true foodie paradise.

2 Restaurants Not to Miss and 1 to Skip in Paris

1. Nomad’s

 

What-and-Where-to-Eat-in-Paris-NomadsThis modern French restaurant tests the limits with interesting flavor combinations, textures and presentation. Exquisite gourmet food is served in an exotic, unstuffy and colorful atmosphere. The service is fantastic and most of the waiters speak English.

Location: (Near the Louvre) 12-14 Rue du Marché Saint-Honoré, 75001

Hours: 12:00p.m.-2:00a.m. Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:00p.m. Sunday

2. Le Fontaine de Mars

What-and-Where-to-Eat-in-Paris-Le-Fontaine-de-MarsOne of few gourmet historic restaurants that are open at lunch on Sunday.  Not only can you say that you’ve eaten in a restaurant where President Obama and Michelle Obama dined, but you will also be greeted and served by the friendliest staff in Paris. Delicious traditional French fare.

Location: (Near the Eiffel Tower) 129 rue Saint-Dominique 75007 Paris

Hours: Open everyday 12:00p.m.-11:00p.m.

3. Kong

What-and-Where-to-Eat-in-Paris-KongOn Tripadvisor the restaurant has almost 4 stars, but if you want to experience an exquisite gastronomical experience, I wouldn’t suggest this place. The food is way overpriced, and the plating is absurd (mashed potatoes served in a cup with a fork…what the…?). The winning element of this restaurant is their large rooftop dining room enclosed by windows. If you don’t mind paying an arm and a leg for mediocre food, the atmosphere is spectacular and it’s a fun one-time experience. This restaurant seemed like a place right out of the book, 50 Shades of Grey. For people who like to dance, it also turns into a club later on at night.

Location: 1 Rue du Pont Neuf, 75001 Paris, France

Hours: Sunday – Thursday 12:00 pm – 2:00 am Fri – Sat 12:00 pm – 3:00 am

Eating out in Paris is a must, but if you are a true foodie, you probably want to learn how to make some of your favorite pastries, breads and dishes at home. In this case, I definitely recommend signing up for a cooking class at Le Cuisine.

What-and-Where-to-Eat-in-Paris-Le-cuisineYou can learn how to make croissants, macarons, baguettes, èclairs, among many other dishes, or even go on a guided market tour. I took their croissant class and couldn’t have been more satisfied. (Even if I still have yet to make the croissants at home and Mr. Italicano constantly asks me when I will!)

Want more information to help plan your vacation in Paris? Take a look at these websites.

Great Blogs and Websites on Paris

David Lebovitz 

Chocolate and Zucchini

Paris by Mouth

Girl’s Guide to Paris

RATP (Awesome site for the metro and getting around)

Until next time, Paris. Merci beaucoup et au revoir!

What-and-Where-to-Eat-in-Paris