tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58931306187288396162024-03-13T14:41:19.169-07:00Eat is Goood.An Attempt to find my inner Foodie, Traveller, & Blogger.aRjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834697587471836144noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893130618728839616.post-55961299729463645042010-08-29T01:11:00.000-07:002010-09-09T10:44:27.375-07:00Spice BoyI had been to <i>Galeries La Fayette</i> before. But it wasn't until my last trip that I noticed this wonderful spice shop on the second floor of the <i>Por Homme </i>building. It is a feast for your senses.. the colors and scents of familiar and not so familiar herbs, spices, and seasonings will your catch your eyes, seduce your nostrils, and stir up your imagination. The labels even have flavor profiles and cooking suggestions on them. <div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiWySQ-dgI/AAAAAAAAABs/PZkKjN1xf7M/s1600/spices1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiWySQ-dgI/AAAAAAAAABs/PZkKjN1xf7M/s640/spices1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW-XnoVdI/AAAAAAAAACs/NtmcHnTqviw/s1600/spices9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW-XnoVdI/AAAAAAAAACs/NtmcHnTqviw/s640/spices9.jpg" width="409" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkXCpztbsI/AAAAAAAAAEU/l57fpUK5F4s/s1600/spices2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkXCpztbsI/AAAAAAAAAEU/l57fpUK5F4s/s640/spices2.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Nutmeg (lower portion) is the best. But what piqued my interest was the item above the whole nutmegs.<br />
It is called "Macis" or "Mace" and it is the bright red, lacy covering of the nutmeg seed shell. It has a warm, sharp aromatic flavor which is more intense and slightly sweeter than nutmeg. Like nutmeg, it is great for milk dishes like custards and cream sauces, and also works well with sweets. Perfect for mashed potatoes. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW1qhCzyI/AAAAAAAAAB8/jEEuypjgx3I/s1600/spices3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW1qhCzyI/AAAAAAAAAB8/jEEuypjgx3I/s640/spices3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of these ready made spice mixes made me wish I had brought a larger suitcase.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW8468LaI/AAAAAAAAACk/VZkF_TYYddM/s1600/spices8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW8468LaI/AAAAAAAAACk/VZkF_TYYddM/s640/spices8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW8468LaI/AAAAAAAAACk/VZkF_TYYddM/s1600/spices8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiXAOcCWJI/AAAAAAAAAC0/SlV50Ry9wrk/s1600/spices10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiXAOcCWJI/AAAAAAAAAC0/SlV50Ry9wrk/s640/spices10.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW4jCtGXI/AAAAAAAAACM/c6U5DH2RX3E/s1600/spices5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW3vfU2lI/AAAAAAAAACE/uJy3gl7AWlE/s1600/spices4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW3vfU2lI/AAAAAAAAACE/uJy3gl7AWlE/s640/spices4.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW7Sj4WAI/AAAAAAAAACc/iuqlQS9xNWg/s1600/spices7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW7Sj4WAI/AAAAAAAAACc/iuqlQS9xNWg/s640/spices7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A whole section for pepper. There were more than a dozen varieties of pepper and pepper mixes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW56GvLmI/AAAAAAAAACU/HaW5nUYZ2Js/s1600/spices6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW56GvLmI/AAAAAAAAACU/HaW5nUYZ2Js/s640/spices6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's ironic how I live in Asia and have been looking for Sichuan Pepper corns for the past several months. Only to find them in Europe. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW4jCtGXI/AAAAAAAAACM/c6U5DH2RX3E/s1600/spices5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW4jCtGXI/AAAAAAAAACM/c6U5DH2RX3E/s640/spices5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another section dedicated to Salt. There were roasted salts, smoked salts, a hawaiian black salt, fleur de sel, truffle infused salt, herb salts, and himalayan pink salt. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiW56GvLmI/AAAAAAAAACU/HaW5nUYZ2Js/s1600/spices6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiXBaRJLSI/AAAAAAAAAC8/t7g0xMiUA3o/s1600/spices11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiXBaRJLSI/AAAAAAAAAC8/t7g0xMiUA3o/s640/spices11.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ended up buying a jar of pink Himalayan salt--perfect <i>pasalubong </i>for my brother in law.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiXCl36lCI/AAAAAAAAADE/igUTGxRKi4E/s1600/spices12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIiXCl36lCI/AAAAAAAAADE/igUTGxRKi4E/s640/spices12.jpg" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the last picture i took before the security on duty put their hand in front of my iPhone <br />
and warned me about taking pictures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div><i>La Route des Indes</i> is located at the second floor of the Por Homme building of Galeries La Fayette. It is near the escalators. Just follow your nose.</div>aRjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834697587471836144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893130618728839616.post-91510893696382710772010-08-28T10:02:00.000-07:002010-09-09T10:05:51.711-07:00Last Minute Shopping = Last Minute Surprises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkLVhJHwGI/AAAAAAAAADU/6magLe47HMU/s1600/lafayette1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkLVhJHwGI/AAAAAAAAADU/6magLe47HMU/s640/lafayette1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">During my last few hours in Paris, I decided to make one last run through the Galeries La Fayette for some last minute <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">pasalubong*</span></i> shopping. You can find nearly every brand of watch, bag, fragrance, and clothing there. During the summer sale (usually from August 1-31), even designer brands and signature labels can be bought at 30-70% off. The place can get really crowded during tourist season, so hold on to your wallets...literally.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOYW4797I/AAAAAAAAAD0/ahOXrnGbmCc/s1600/lafayette3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOYW4797I/AAAAAAAAAD0/ahOXrnGbmCc/s640/lafayette3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkLTUDvJ9I/AAAAAAAAADM/Fm0NYqezQZM/s1600/ceiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkLTUDvJ9I/AAAAAAAAADM/Fm0NYqezQZM/s640/ceiling.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOXcJbt-I/AAAAAAAAADs/Xf4qApzksUc/s1600/lafayette2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOXcJbt-I/AAAAAAAAADs/Xf4qApzksUc/s640/lafayette2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The Galeries La Fayette is divided into two major buildings--one for Men and one for Women. Both buildings are 4 stories high and filled with anything and everything you would and would not expect from a department store--including a champagne bar/cafe and a food court full of gourmet/artisan goods.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOaeeNP9I/AAAAAAAAAEE/7bYAPjoc_Po/s1600/moet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOaeeNP9I/AAAAAAAAAEE/7bYAPjoc_Po/s640/moet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOZYmHViI/AAAAAAAAAD8/buYTQsLFM-0/s1600/macarons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOZYmHViI/AAAAAAAAAD8/buYTQsLFM-0/s640/macarons.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Need a break from the crowds? There is a bridge that connects the two buildings of <i>Galeries La Fayette</i> on the fourth floor. It is a nice place to take a breather and to get a nice view of the backside of the Opera house, which not many people notice. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOVArlS0I/AAAAAAAAADc/uq7PhPrUpLI/s1600/bridge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOVArlS0I/AAAAAAAAADc/uq7PhPrUpLI/s640/bridge1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOWc2LzSI/AAAAAAAAADk/M15ZwBDvOVM/s1600/bridge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkOWc2LzSI/AAAAAAAAADk/M15ZwBDvOVM/s640/bridge2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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<i>Galeries La Fayette </i>is located at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><b>40 Boulevard Haussmann 75009 PARIS</b></span>. You can take the Metro and get off at the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Chaussée d'Antin La Fayette</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span></span>station. Or if you want a more scenic route, I suggest getting off at the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Opera </b></span></span></span>station, and taking a short 3 minute walk there. You will get a great view of the front of the National Academy of Music (<i>Academie National de Musique</i>).</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkObeMykwI/AAAAAAAAAEM/aeQ5DaXqvGg/s1600/opera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/TIkObeMykwI/AAAAAAAAAEM/aeQ5DaXqvGg/s640/opera.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">For more information about Galeries La Fayette, you may visit: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e774a; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">www.<b>galerieslafayette</b>.com </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e774a; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e774a; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>* Pasalubong:</i></span></b> (noun) gifts from travel. It has long been a Filipino tradition to bring back a souvenir, keepsake or food item from a place you visit. </span></span></div>aRjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834697587471836144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893130618728839616.post-91562183917518521922010-08-27T16:16:00.000-07:002010-08-27T16:28:04.221-07:00The Best Espresso in Paris<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b>I love coffee.</b> And while I am no expert on the subject, I believe that I know what good coffee tastes like. </span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">My first 8 days in Europe were spent travelling all around Italy--from the well known cities of Rome, Milan, & Venice to the lesser known towns of Bagnaia in Tuscany and Castiglione del Lago in Umbria. All along the way, I had caffe every chance I got--in gas stations, in restaurants, in the bars, and even from the occasional vendo machine. In fact, I had more than 30 cups in those 8 days.</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Caffe</i> <i>(no one calls it 'espresso' in Italy)</i> became an integral part of my day. If i didn't start and end my day with a cup, it felt so wrong. Over the following 6 weeks, my travels took me to 6 other European countries which all had their own version of coffee <i>(the French have cafe au lait, the Austrians have the melange, Switzerland has cafe creme, etc.)</i>. My coffee addiction demanded that I have at least one cup a day. But after each cup, I would walk away quite disappointed. After about 6 weeks, I had given up all hope of finding a good macchiato outside of Italy until I stumbled upon <b>Alto Cafe </b>in Paris<i>. </i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7H7RbQiI/AAAAAAAAAA4/khB1VVYfh7I/s1600/alto-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7H7RbQiI/AAAAAAAAAA4/khB1VVYfh7I/s640/alto-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If I were a Transformer, this is what I would be--a small, red truck that turns into a Coffee Cart.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7OT7KLAI/AAAAAAAAABQ/H0vbFgBOHHg/s1600/alto-cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7OT7KLAI/AAAAAAAAABQ/H0vbFgBOHHg/s640/alto-cafe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This mobile-state-of-the-art-coffee-cart served up the BEST caffe macchiato outside of Italy. <br />
In fact, it ranks as one of the BEST caffe macchiato's I've</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> ever had</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. And I've had a lot.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7H7RbQiI/AAAAAAAAAA4/khB1VVYfh7I/s1600/alto-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7MLFnZYI/AAAAAAAAABA/G5dkgM0_NQA/s1600/alto-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7MLFnZYI/AAAAAAAAABA/G5dkgM0_NQA/s640/alto-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shot of espresso was PERFECT--it had wonderful body, a nutty-almost chocolatey aroma, <br />
and was not the least bit bitter. They used a French roasted blend of Arabica-Robusta (i'm guessing about 70-30).<br />
<br />
The milk was expertly executed--velvety smooth, extremely creamy & slightly sweet. <br />
It was so good, I had to have another one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7NP0YyaI/AAAAAAAAABI/n5w-okdIMj4/s1600/alto-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7NP0YyaI/AAAAAAAAABI/n5w-okdIMj4/s640/alto-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my second macchiato, which I excitedly took a sip of before taking this picture.<br />
The second was even better than the first. (Caffe Macchiato: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">€ 2.20)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In between my shots, the barista had recalibrated the grinder. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(This is one tell-tale sign of a good barista. Good cafe's will recalibrate their grinder 2-3 times a day.) </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Alto Cafe </b>gets extra points in my book for recalibrating their grinder the old fashioned way: by watching how the espresso shot comes out.<br />
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I also appreciated how friendly the barista was and how fluent she was in English, making Alto Cafe very tourist-friendly. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next time I'm in Paris, I know exactly where to go for my caffe fix.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7PwxWpOI/AAAAAAAAABY/O3YenVKASCw/s1600/alto-cafe3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qNkOfpBhlnM/THg7PwxWpOI/AAAAAAAAABY/O3YenVKASCw/s640/alto-cafe3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Alto Cafe </b>is located outside the Homme Building of <i>Galeries Lafayette.</i><br />
(40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris | Metro Station: Chaussee d'Antin-La Fayette)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">For more information, visit <a href="http://www.altocafe.com/">http://www.altocafe.com/</a> and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.galerieslafayette.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.galerieslafayette.com/</span></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">[photo credits: <b>aRj</b> taken with Apple iPhone] </span></span> </span><br />
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</span></div>aRjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06834697587471836144noreply@blogger.com2