Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris

March 3, 2008
Dusoulier (Chocolate and Zucchini
) combines the best of easy-to-page-through travel guides with the friendly, immediate feel of her charming blog and other Internet resources to provide the ideal foodie's guide to Paris. Dusoulier's inquisitiveness, sharp observation and affection for list-making serve her well in making this culinary heaven seem manageable. Her restaurant recommendations for each of the 20 arrondissements feel fresh and personalized, like tips from a friend, and most are relatively affordable if one follows Dusoulier's advice for when and what to eat. She also includes a welcome range of cuisines, unlike many Paris guides; boxed sections feature Japanese, Indian and Chinese quarters of the city, with food from numerous other nations sprinkled throughout, but she doesn't neglect classic brasseries and neo-bistros. Nearly as valuable as the lists are Dusoulier's pointers on reading menus, how to treat the staff and French restaurant quirks. The book's second half features judiciously selected markets, bakeries, cheese shops and other specialty outlets; again, international travelers will be gratified by her attention to non-French stores as well as those selling the best escargots, honey and wine from around the country. Topping off the book, a dozen intriguing recipes.