24h in Marrakech, Where to Eat and Shop – Morocco
20 décembre 2015 § 4 Commentaires
City of oranges, rugs, vibrant colors, I first discovered this city through the movie « The Man who knew too much » by Alfred Hitchcock where you can have a glimpse of the hustle-bustle of the souks and the mythic Jema El Fna place. Endless inspiration for many designers and artists, Marrakesh can also be tiring for those like me who do not like to bargain.
Food is extremely generous: from sweet dates to citrus fruit, you have a variety of delicacies to excite your palate. Sweet tooth like me are in heaven: I had cornes de gazelle every day, and the best ones I had were from Amandine and Pâtisserie des princes. Dates and nougat ice cream can be found at Pâtisserie des princes for only 12 drh. 
For admiring the pink-orange shade sunset, go to the terrass of Café des Epices or Nomad, two restaurants owned by the same person as le Jardin. Menu at Café des Epices is quite simple with avocado sandwiches, while Nomad proposes tajines and couscous in a modern way. Their date pudding is worth the trip on its own. Gooey, spongy, sweet, it was the best dessert I had so far. I tried to bake my own date pudding back in France but I did not reach that perfect texture yet.
Nomad Restaurant – Medina
Date pudding at Nomad restaurant
If you only had 24h: have breakfast at place Jema El Fna where the juice sellers will squeeze you the freshest orange-grapefruit, then stroll in the souks where your ability to bargain will be challenged. Gift ideas are abounding: babouches (pointy leather slippers), candles, cutlery and the sweet pastries made with almond and honey.. and so much more!
If you have a nice flight company, bring back a rug. They are so beautiful, I felt really bad leaving Marrakesh without one. If you do not like to bargain, go to Chabi-chic, a contemporary & cool gift store located on the first floor of the Nomad.
Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice at Jema El Fna place
Before sunset, go to my favorite Place des Epices where you will see women grinding henné, sip a mint tea like the Moroccans and enjoy the sunset.
Essaouira – Morocco
17 décembre 2015 § 10 Commentaires
Moroccan Salad
Fish Market in the Medina
Pastilla, Stuffed with chicken, pigeon or almond
Le Jardin – Marrakech
17 décembre 2015 § 3 Commentaires
In the hustle bustle of the souk, hides Le Jardin, a fusion moroccan restaurant with secret terrass. Tajines, burgers, couscous for food and avocado and dates milk for the drinks. The interior is designed by a parisian architect and all the vegetables come from their private garden. By night, le Jardin becomes a candle-lit heaven. 
Where? 32, Souk Sidi Abdelaziz. Marrakech Médina
Around Dakar: Bandia reserve, Goree Island
9 décembre 2015 § 3 Commentaires
Major places to visit around Dakar:
- Goree Island
Goree Island was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1978. It is today known as the location of the House of Slaves, the oldest building of the island. It can be reached by ferry from the Gare ferroviaire and it takes 30 minutes.
The House of Slaves
- Thiof, or ‘mérou’ in french with steamed potatoes
- Reserve Bandia
For those who want to spot giraffes, rhinoceros, monkeys and crocodile, the safari proposed here will make your dreams come true! Beware of the monkeys, they are very fast and sly. 
Sobo Badé – Sénégal
7 décembre 2015 § 3 Commentaires
Sobo Badé is a guest house, restaurant and art space located in Toubab Dialao area, 42km in the south from Dakar. We had lunch at the restaurant, enjoying an amazing view on the sea surrounded by sculptures and mosaics. 
Sobo badé has an original juice menu with exotic fruits such as ditakh, papaya or corossol, fruits I never tasted before. The corossol (or soursop) tastes like litchi and mixed with ice, it was incredibly refreshing!
Senegal is also the country of fish. From Thiou, Thiof or Monkfish, they will always be the freshest in any restaurant you will go. Caught just before lunch and depending on the season, you will have sea bream, sole.. I had monkfish with fried plantain banana as a side dish. Plantain banana is considered as a sweet « veggie » and matches really well with fish. It is fried but not heavy at all. Shrimps and Gambas were also on the menu that day. 
After a digestive nap, go dive in the azure beach just below the restaurant.
Where? Toubab Dialao, Sénégal : once you arrive in the village, you have to ask the locals as there are no street names yet.
SAam – Paris
19 novembre 2015 § 2 Commentaires
Not really korean food, rather fusion, « bao » or « bun » are having their glory days in London, New York and now Paris. Pac-Man shaped bread filled with meat/tofu/fish with a spread of caramelized sauce and crunchy veggies, the pillowy texture of the bread can leave no one indifferent. 
At SaAm, near Canal Saint-Martin, the buns get the korean influence from the chef Kim Yoonsun with Bossam, Gochujang and kimchi. If you want to try something else than just buns, take the fried Gimbaps to share. 
For lunch, there is a menu with two buns of your choice, a drink and a dessert for 15euros. The restaurant is suitable for coaeliacs and vegetarians. 
Where? 59bis rue de Lancry – Paris 75010
Le Bal – Paris
8 novembre 2015 § 3 Commentaires
Left in abandon for decades, the City of Paris has decided in 2006 to renovate the space and transform it into a photography gallery. It is hard to believe that there is such place in this area: a children playground is facing the modern building and the surroundings are mostly kebab joints and clothing shops. 
But most importantly, you will have to stop at the Bal’s Café as the food is really really.. awesome ! Two chefs, Alice Quillet and Anna Trattles are cooking british inspired dishes with lots of creativity. The week end brunch is quite popular here: pancakes, scones, bacon & eggs.. For cakes, they are the same sold at the coffee shop Ten Belles: pumpkin muffin topped with yogurt, crunchy cookie and the chocolate-raspberry tart. 
Enjoy!
Where? 6 Impasse de la Défense – 75018 Paris
