3 hours (or less) from Paris: Viva Italia! #4

Eataly!

Today's photos focus on Apulian FOOD: seasonal, organic, fresh from local farms.... and it's everywhere.

Above: cheese tasting in the countryside; homemade herb pasta w/dried figs, toasted almonds and cream; outdoor market stalls; taralli in a variety of flavors; bagged fresh oregano; nonna rolls out orecchiette ("little ears") pasta; crunchy potato focaccia fresh from wood-fired ovens topped w/prosciutto and onions; a hearty autumn soup

Below: my start-the-day espressino and flaky lemon cream dream crostata

Cravings

A woman stops to admire pastries as her dachshund tugs on its leash.

 

 

 

 

Procaffeinating

In the heart of the old Marais district a café at the back of an offbeat bookstore looks onto a vegetable garden.

La Mouette Rieuse
(The Laughing Seagull)

17bis rue Pavée 75004 

Dinoseine

Life-sized chrome replica of a T-Rex skeleton adds zing to a stroll along the river.

High-end antiques

Rare and distinctive antiques are a hallmark of the rue des Saints-Pères.

Magic meringues

Multi-flavored meringues in a Left Bank pâtisserie said to reverse negative wishes, spells, curses, hexes, you name it, back onto the sender.

 

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See post Spirit of Paris

 

Hermès, Paris

Horse and rider atop the Hermès building, a reminder of the brand's equestrian beginnings.

Hermès (main shop)

24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré 75008