The 5 best things I ate in Paris: June 2012

Perhaps it’s time this series be renamed, “How Edna is slowly giving herself diabetes.”

I consumed an irrational amount of sugar this month: besides what you see below, I also found myself frequently indulging in extra helpings of gelato, éclairs au café, and fresh mangos (I’d love to eat more peaches as they’re finally in season and smell wonderful in the grocery, but I’m tragically allergic).

Sugar has surprisingly become my comfort carbohydrate. (My usual comfort food is cereal or rice, so on the health scale I’m definitely downgrading here.) I blame it on the unseasonably cold and rainy weather — I don’t remember what summer feels like — coupled with a strong dose of the Paris blues.

The latter has also manifested itself in my eating habits: None the foods that made this month’s list are Parisian. Or even French:

1. Homemade Desserts

You can eat at all the fancy restaurants in Paris, but it’s still hard to top HOMEMADE. On the right, cake batter truffles that my friend Sam whipped up for the Paris bloggers’ cocktail party — after these were brought out, I parked myself next to the table and ate half the plate on my own. Sorry, everyone else.

On the left is a banana cream pie, made from scratch by my friend Jenna from her grandmother’s recipe. We demolished what was probably the best pie in the world at an indoor picnic on the freezing first day of summer (the email she sent: “I have a problem. I need to eat this entire pie by Thursday. Would you help me get rid of it?” Um, yes.). Inquiries into the story behind the recipe led us to an incredibly deep discussion about life and death and following your dreams. Nope, you can’t beat homemade.

2. Strawberry Bubble Tea at Bubble Fever

I had an unhealthy, near-daily bubble tea habit when I lived in Asia (at 3 RMB [50 cents] a cup, how could you not?). So you can imagine my joy when I found this bubble tea boutique éphémère, or pop-up store, that was only around for one weekend. One sip of the tapioca-filled milk tea and I was transported back to sorely-missed Asia, and I walked through the rainy Marais with a skip in my step and large smile on my face.

3. Cupcakes at Sugar Daze

Growing up on a Chinese diet — no bread, little dairy — means I’ve always been totally indifferent about cakes and pastries. (In my family, you get an ice cream cake for your birthday, because none of us like cake.)

However, I will make an exception for Sugar Daze. The storefront in Montmartre is brand new, but the owner has been baking and selling her ridiculously good cupcakes online in Paris since 2008. They’re made from scratch and are preservative-free; plus the cupcake names are quirky, the flavor combinations are imaginative, and the icings are DIVINE.

4. Iced Chai at Le Petit Fer à Cheval

Chais remind me of home simply because they were all the rage (especially amongst the yoga crowd) when I left the US a couple years ago. But I’m sure no CBTL could compare to this Iced Chai, which tasted more like a skinny milkshake than tea. Plus, Le Petit Fer à Cheval is a fantastic spot for people-watching in the Marais. I’m looking forward to many chais and many afternoons in this tiny café this summer.

5. Steak Burrito at Chipotle

People hate on Chipotle because it’s a chain, but look — the quality’s good, and it’s a substantial amount of food for €9 (I wanted to nap after I finished this burrito). I only went to Chipotle once in the States, and didn’t remember the experience being as wildly life-changing as everyone in central Pennsylvania made it out to be. But after checking out this new Chipotle (the first to open in Paris), I’ve got to admit — I’m hooked.

Honorable Mention: Bonjour Vietnam

A friend and I stumbled across this Vietnamese joint when the Thai restaurant we originally wanted to try was closed (because it was Sunday, of course). While not the best Vietnamese food I’ve had in Paris — that would be Cyclo — I had to mention this place for its cozy atmosphere. The tiny room that fits only four tables is covered in knick-knacks and authentic decorations, and the owner is lovely; it felt like we were dining in his home. If you’re missing Vietnam even just a little bit, go to Bonjour Vietnam in the 5eme arrondissement.

Next month: I promise I’ll start eating French food again.