Coup Des Tartes offers such a romantic, intimate dining experience. They have their Christmas lights up right now, which are absolutely beautiful and make you feel instantly at home. It is very cozy, but more than that, the service and the food was amazing. So, boys take note because this will definitely wow your special date if you bring her here. However, I will say that it is hard to get a reservation at the last minute, so make sure this night is well planned out. With that say, there is no way you can go wrong with Coup des Tartes!

The reason I opted for reviewing this restaurant was because I really wanted to try the Brie Brûlée. It’s served warm with caramelized apples, toast pieces, and an assortment of other fruit. It is refreshing and tastes great with red wine. Although it is considered an appetizer,  the sweet dish makes for the perfect light dessert. If you have been here I would love to hear about your experience, so please feel free to comment! Also, if you decide to try Coup des Tartes for the first time after reading this, then I would love to hear about your experience as well! I can’t wait to go back and could always use a good recommendation on what dish I should try next. Happy Holidays everyone!

I am looking for new receipes all the time, if you have any French Pastry Receipes that are a “must do” please submit them in the comment box and I will blog about it! Can’t wait to see what you submit…and neither can my stomach!

Le Pont Des Arts is officially know as, Passerelle Des Arts, and is unique to Paris because it is the first metal bridge to be built in the city. It has a rich history in itself because it was damaged during both WWI and WWII and had to be rebuilt after it collapsed. It is also home to many art exhibitions and has been featured in films in the past, the most recent being the last episode of Sex in the City.

This is where locals go on Tuesday nights to enjoy cheese and wine while they laugh with good friends and listen to the local musicians play. Although Phoenix does not have the green, lush scenery that the Parisians are accustom to, anyone can recreate the Parisian, summer tradition right here in the valley of the sun! Plan a date with your closest friends to meet at Tempe Town Lake at sunset and enjoy the amazing weather along with the colorful light show the Light Rail’s bridge casts across the water every night of the week.

Je T’aime Paris Translated:

I Love You Paris

As its website proclaims, it is the place to go is for a taste of France. Au Petit Four was opened in 2000 by Catherine and Pierre Berraud-Dufour, who are natives to Paris and Lyon respectively. They have been dedicated to giving guests the best of France, which is why they have received several prestigious awards.

The Royal, a dark chocolate mousse on crispy hazelnut, was indescribably amazing! It was not just by my account either, the dessert was named best cake in the valley by patrons for the past three years.

In 2001, Au Petit Four was also deemed Best of the Valley by Phoenix Magazine. It received New Times Best of Phoenix in 2003, and Best of the Valley by the Arizona Republic in 2004 and again in 2007. Also, In 2008 it won the Best Bakery by Best of Local. As if this hadn’t convinced restaurant goers Au petit four was worth checking out, New Times Best of Phoenix presented them with the best croissant award in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Throughout her misadventure on the path to self-discovery, Kate, played by Meg Ryan, learns that bad circumstances are nothing more than the road that must be traveled while on your journey to find true love and happiness; and what better way to do that than in the city of love!

After watching the movie and all that kissing, I had to wonder, why do we call it a “French Kiss?” According to WordOrigins, the phrase took hold because the French were stereotyped as being promiscuous and sexually adventurous. By the mid-19th century the phrase was well established and would become the first of many phrases such as, Pardon my French to be used in Americans’ everyday slang!

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“French Kiss” Translated:
baiser amoureux (loving kiss)
baiser avec la langue (kiss with the tongue)

After doing some research to find the top-rated French restaurants in the Phoenix area, it was time to put one of these restaurants to the test. My first stop was Vincent…On Camelback with its recent new addition, Vincent Market Bistro.

This small, quaint restaurant offers great French dishes while allowing guests an intimate experience in the midst of a noisy fray of patrons. This is upscale, fine dining for casual outings such as a Sunday brunch. Vincent Market Bistro has effortlessly blended formal and casual to create the unique atmosphere one can only find along the streets of Paris.

What’s more, it is inexpensive. A breakfast, lunch or brunch for two was just under $25, and the dessert was included with the meal for free. What a deal for a priceless Parisian atmosphere!

Its affordability easily makes Vincent Market Bistro a great alternative to the main restaurant, which is located next door and offers guests a more formal dining experience; a place that’s much better suited for a romantic date or special occasion.

My favorites from the menu, for mimicking the great taste of their authentic Parisian counterparts are the Spinach Quiche, the Omelettes and the Chocolat au Pain.

The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, or the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, is a Catholic church famous for its architecture, its controversial place in the city’s history, and of course its mind-blowing views. I won’t be getting into the history too much, that’s what Wikipedia is for. What I can tell you is how to avoid having a typical tourist’s outing in Paris.

Sacré-Coeur is a tourist hot spot by day, and a local hang-out by night. It is equivalent to a California beach boardwalk. It has a diverse group of people there at all times, ranging from flame-throwers, musicians and singers. Just bring a blanket and a bottle wine and you’re ready to watch the show against the backdrop of the city lights.

The church is located in Montmartre, the highest point in the city and home to popular attractions such as the cabaret Moulin Rouge. Which brings me to my next point, beware of the stairs—this is no place for stylish stilettos or uncomfortable shoes! The steep, NEVER-ENDING stairway leading up to Sacré-Coeur is famous for putting even the best of athletes to the test.

The metro can only get so close to Montmartre before having to drop you off. This doesn’t seem so bad until you realize that you have to walk uphill, along cobblestone streets, for a little over a half mile just to get to Sacré-Cœur! Oh, and that’s before you get to the stairs. I know, just talking about it makes me tired, but I promise it is worth it!

Here is a little something fun for all of you to enjoy, and please note that these are little stereotypes that found to ring true in my own personal experience while visiting Paris!

If there is one thing to be learned, it’s that the French stereotype is completely true. The French are very snooty and don’t like Americans all that much. It’s nothing personal, it’s just that our cultural tendencies goes against theirs, meaning that our everyday lifestyle is often seen as bad-mannered and similar to that of the lower economic and social classes in France.

So here is a list of what we Americans unknowingly do that is looked down upon by the French as being both distasteful and rude…or in this case totally gives it away that you are America. You may be wondering why I am telling you to hide your identity from the world, but the truth is that blending in is much safer. For one, you are less likely to be a victim of pick pocketing because those people tend to target unsuspecting tourists. Secondly, by avoiding some of these things, the French will be nicer and more willing to help you if you need it.

• You have straight, white teeth… that’s an American luxury
• You wear jeans everyday, for EVERY occasion
• You don’t accessorize every outfit with a scarf, and boys are no exception here
  
• You don’t speak any other language but English
• You are friendly to strangers
• You leave a tip for your waiter or waitress
• You don’t need to change into workout clothes at the gym
• You can’t answer ANY history question
• You drink your dinner wine like you’re in a beer-chugging contest

With that I will leave you with some food for thought. This is one of my favorite quotes, which I think can be applied to almost any aspect of your life…

Je t’aime moins que demain, mais plus qu’hier

It means I love you less than tomorrow, but more than yesterday. It is kind of tricky. The first time I read this I thought I was translating it wrong; needless to say my confusion was not my proudest moment!