I'm tempted to just leave you with this array of gorgeous chocolates from Richart. Really, what else is there to say? Life is good, enjoy it when you can.
But that might leave you wondering where you can pick up such a box, and the bottom line is, you can't, unless you find yourself in Paris (or, checking the web site, two locations in Lyon, and one in Saint-Andre de Corcy, just north of the city). And no, the rioting didn't affect the flagship store. I checked.
But that might leave you wondering where you can pick up such a box, and the bottom line is, you can't, unless you find yourself in Paris (or, checking the web site, two locations in Lyon, and one in Saint-Andre de Corcy, just north of the city). And no, the rioting didn't affect the flagship store. I checked.
Richart showed up on our radar in 1993, when my wife and I visited Paris together. Blundering out of the Musee d'Orsay, there it was, on Rue Bonaparte. At first I thought it was a jewelry store, then realized the small gemlike objects were candies. We bought a big white box, with drawers, that indeed looked like a jewelry box, only it was filled with chocolate. We were flush, back then, before kids, and did things like that.
We returned in 2016, when we went to visit our oldest, who was going to school there for a semester. Feeling far less monetarily-endowed, with two boys in college, I think we picked up a couple big bars.
Cut to last month. Our youngest son, daughter-in-law and older grandson headed over to Paris. because ... well, you'd have to ask them, but my belief is, to show that a newborn was not going to cramp their considerable style. We didn't say, "While you're there, go to Richart and buy us some chocolate." We did point out the existence of the place and suggest they might enjoy swinging by, if they were in the 6th arrondissement and looking for something to do. Though we did watch their two cats. For about a month. So credit to them for showing a gratitude unusual in the young.
If the above were the extent, I would shelve it under "shameful boasting." But the thing with these chocolates is, they come in 34 flavors, as explained in a little booklet, "Guide de Degustation," with helpful English translation, matching each glyph with the flavor within, which chocolate is "Madagascar vanilla Bourbon ganache and which "Black Current coulis and raspberry." My favorites: "Thyme praline" and "Grapefruit light ganache."
So for over a month, most nights a week after dinner, my wife and I would make tea and haul out the way-attractive square white box, slide out the array and make our selections, with much discussion. I don't want to say the analysis process was more fun than the actual consumption, but it was definitely part of the fun.
Doing the checking thing that journalists were once known for, I see that my opening paragraph is dead wrong. You CAN indeed order Richart in the United States. The box above will set you back $216, which, yes, is a lot for chocolate, but less than the price of professional cat sitters, and less than a single dinner at some of the trendier restaurants around town. The good news is shipping for this particular item is free. If you limit yourselves to three chocolates a night apiece — harder than it looks — that gives you and your beloved about at least a fortnight of joyfully sharing exotic French chocolates after dinner. A bargain really.
Oh, My mouth is watering
ReplyDeleteoh, so you have 2 grandsons and one granddaughter-the oldest grandchild I believe
ReplyDeleteyummy on those chocolates
I'll have to stick to chocolates that one can by here, at that price.
ReplyDeleteHere’s a local recommendation if you haven’t tried them yet… https://www.vosgeschocolate/
ReplyDeleteNo one here need be concerned about “shameless boasting” when referring to the goodness of our children or their offspring. Not when Yiddish offers cool praise-phrases that denote a mix of love, pride and gratitude.
ReplyDeleteI wasn’t born Jewish, but sort through languages like candy, claiming helpful expressions as my very own.
Here’s a short lesson in “kvelling with naches,” for those new to it, researched anew this morning for the sake of accuracy because I don’t know enough to engage in linguistic nuance otherwise.
When we kvell (from the Yiddish word “kvein - to well up,”) we are full-to-bursting with deep affection, joy and pride over the achievements and milestones of those we care about.
Add the word naches (also spelled nachas) deriving from the Hebrew “nachat,”meaning rest or satisfaction. It accounts for the radiant warmth felt when our beloveds express an admirable trait resulting in our sincere “kvell with naches” as we share the good news of their excellence with others.
We are permitted to kvell with naches as we speak of those who fill our hearts, warm our spirits, and feed our hopes for the future.
The concept of the "Evil Eye" isn't just an Italian thing (malocchio)...or a Jewish thing. Nearly all peoples, and all religions, hold superstitions and beliefs about spirits, ghouls,and sprites. Or offending the gods. Or casting spells or curses.
DeleteThe Yiddish "kin-ahora" was used by Jews to ward off evil spirits and to protect loved ones. Especially among women, for their young children, and for the children of others.
My mother and my grandmother, who were both fluent in Yiddish, would say "kin-ahora" whenever they were introduced to a new baby or a toddler or a youngster. "Such a lovely and beautiful baby, kin-ahora!"
They said it so often that I grew up thinking it meant something like: "What a sweet little kid!"...or something like that. It wasn't until adulthood that I learned its true meaning: "May no Evil Eye bring harm to this child!"
My grandmother's generation of mothers said it often, almost automatically. So did my mother's generation. Never heard anyone my own age say it, and I doubt if succeeding generations...the X's and Millennials and Z's...have perpetuated it. It may have finally died out.But I could be wrong. Don't know any young Jewish mothers, and haven't for decades.
Grizz, thanks for this. Feels like a blessing with some real muscle behind it. Demons, away! Those elder ladies, mothers - their memories are a blessing we need.
Deletegrizz and LCB, that little exchange is one of the reasons i love dropping into this joint
DeleteOooh! I will be in Paris next April! Adding this to my list of places to visit!
ReplyDeleteI know people who have been to Paris, France, but have never been to Joliet, Il. So if you find yourself in Joliet, and you're jonesing for some quality chocolate, head over to Dan's Homemade Candies. Two locations -- one on Cass St and the other on Plainfield Rd. A pound will set you back about 30 bucks. Well worth the trip.
ReplyDeleteNow you’ve started something! I found I can follow them on Instagram. Not as tasty but beautiful - as I figure out how to buy those beautiful chocolates.
ReplyDeleteThey're prettier. But for pure delicious freshness, nothing beats L.A. Burdick: https://www.everygoddamnday.com/2019/03/la-burdick-when-luxury-passes-into.html
DeleteNeil - As always, thank you for the variety of topics on which you report! The breadth and depth of your interests and posts are a welcome reprieve from the onslaught of if-it-bleeds-it-leads and smash-and-grab theft reports broadcast by local television news outlets and political coverage of the local and national news by the print media, especially so on the weekends, when I like to decompress from the mainstream media.
ReplyDeleteAs we’re on the subject of Paris, have you received any updates from author / works-in-progress poster / part-time Paris resident Jack Clark? If he’s still residing there, I wonder if he’s in position to submit a man-on-the-streets report?
Thanks!
Jim
I have; I think he has a new book out. I think he's back stateside. I don't want to set him to tasks.
DeleteAnd I thought the chocolate industry had moved to Dubai!
ReplyDeleteLove that black bird atop the "witch's hat", Mister S. Looks like a live one.
ReplyDeleteDon’t know how you have time to read all your responses, let alone write your column and posts.
ReplyDeleteOrdered the $156 version of your goddam chocolates.
Thanks, jim
My only beef with boxed chocolates is the possibility of choosing one filled with cream or jelly that I don't like. You can't take a bite and put the offending candy back in the box...can you?
ReplyDeletetate
Enjoy these chocolates why you can. Your free cash will take a hit when you retire especially as you spend more on healthcare. Plus, you will enjoy them less as your taste buds lose their sensitivity. Take it from me, old age is something to avoid.
ReplyDeleteIt is? How?
DeleteI'll stick to Frangos or Fannie Mae Melt-Aways if I'm splurging on chocolate.
ReplyDeleteAlso chocolate Twizzlers, hard to find but great.
I'm with you on this one Clark St. Been to Paris too-once very young-22 with 3 friends (we still see each other and get together a few times a year ) and again with husband and sister and brother in law-both great adventures and remember the chocolate very well-but here love Frangos and Fannie Mae Melt-Aways.
DeleteReading today's entry is like perusing the lyrics to the Harrison song "Savoy Truffle".
ReplyDelete