I had the great pleasure of seeing Clotilde Dusoulier of Chocolate & Zucchini speak today at an author's event at the Mechanics' Insitute library in downtown San Francisco (or "the city" as locals call it) and skipped back to my desk at work wearing clouds for shoes.
Someone in the audience remarked upon how fantastic her English is and I agree. Sheesh! Her beautiful command of English evidences her passion for language as well as food.
She was promoting her new book, Edible Adventures in Paris, which I would have gotten at the event had the signing desk not been bum-rushed the moment Clotilde sat down! I was in the front row, so I am not sure how I missed that bum-rush. I just bought my copy on Amazon. The book is sort of a foodie's travel guide to Paris. Clotilde made a good point about how much more enjoyable and beneficial travel recommendations (especially restaurants) are when you know the personality of the recommender. I think that is part of why Rick Steves' guidebooks are so popular ~ he has a specific philosophy on travel that he teaches to others. Rather than getting an encyclopedia, you get an edited selection of recommendations from a person with a specific point of view and you can "navigate their set of opinions." Like the difference between a well-edited boutique and the crowded racks of a buy-by-the-pound thirft store.
The book has over 160 specific recommendations that range from hearty plebian places to 3-star "gastronomique" retstarants and she has made a special effort to include only places with fairly reasonable weekday lunch specials to place the book within reach of the average American traveler contending with a weak dollar.
Another amazing plus is that the book has its own mini website where Clotilde will post updates to the recommendations within the book since faces and places can turn over quickly in the culinary scene ~ every listing that closes its doors will be replaced by another one Clotilde feels is equal to it. This update can be printed and slipped into the book for your trip to Paris.
My aunt will be receiving this book as a gift, and if I could afford it, a plane ticket Paris! She has always wanted to go....and this will be her virtual trip before her actual trip (*crossing fingers*).
It was very inspiring to see Clotilde speak about blogging, writing, and food.
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