I had too many wonderful Christmas ideas to share with you so here are a few more time tested and wonderful treats. Give one to your favorite Francophile or just a special treat for yourself.
One of my favorite restaurants in Paris is just a short walk from the Musée du Louvre and Palais Royal. Willi’s Wine Bar has been in Paris for over FORTY years, opening in 1980 it has been a staple of the first arrondissement and all those that have fallen in love with it.
Mark Williamson has put his heart and soul into making it a relaxed bistro with exceptional food and bringing one of the first wine bars to Paris. I have enjoyed Willi’s many times and it is a place I never miss and always pass on to travelers looking for a wonderful meal. The menu changes but you will no doubt find something delicious and don’t forget the wine. Mark and his staff curate the wine list with exceptional wines that may be new to you but ones you will always remember.
In 1983, Willi’s began making a yearly poster with local artists that are inspired by wine and all the beauty that comes from a bottle. Past artists include one of my favorites Jean Charles de Castelbajac in 2005, Cathy Millet in 1986, Jacques de Loustal in 2004, Petronille in 2018 and MH Jeeves in 2016. You can purchase all of these wonderful posters at their website.
Last yearMark released a book dedicated to the first 40 years of Wili’s. Immoveable Feast, 40 Years of Feeding the French covers the tales from the bar, recipes and many of the images from the posters. Mark graciously gave me a copy and it is fantastic!
Janise Commentz has been painting all her life. Raised by an artist, she would pursue her love of art and share it with others. A high school teacher of art and English in the Mojave Desert and later Joshua Tree but always inspired by the romance of Paris.
Janise now creates beautiful watercolors of many of the beautiful sights in Paris and I was so excited to be gifted one of her lovely calendars. January starts out with a dreamy watercolor of Boulevard Saint Germain, in my favorite area of Paris. Janise doesn’t just paint France she also has many other images of the desert as well as portraits. And for all of you that want to become an artist in your own right, check out her online classes. Oh how I wish I could paint like this. Check out all her great cards and calendar on her Etsy shop.
Désirée Marie Townley is a personal stylist and designer that during covid had to make a little detour as many of us did. As a master of scouring the markets of Rome she finds amazing pieces she curates and sells on her instagram, The Pewter Thimble.
Originally from Oregon she went from a costume designer in the theater and opera to helping people find their own style. Désirée is the sweetest and has such a great eye for your next greatest treasure.
Molly Wilkerson decided to leave Texas and head to Paris to go to culinary school in 2013. Enrolling in Le Cordon Bleu just like another American, Julia Child did many years before. A return to Texas but the never ending pull to Paris had her on a plane and heading back to the city of pastries.
Sharing the love of pastries in an engaging and adorable way she gave classes around France and in her Versailles apartment until the pandemic hit. With a perfect pivot she brought all her wonderful classes straight into your kitchen anywhere in the world. Every month Molly gives lessons in sweets like Macarons and Bûche de Nöel and savory wonders like soupe à l'oignon. This year she also released a cookbook, French Pastry Made Simple which is a must for any aspiring baker.
Out now is her list of classes for January that include Galette des Rois, just in time for the Epiphany and even a Croquembouche with all it’s wonderful choux puffs and pastry cream. Check out all her classes at mollyjwilk.com, perfect gift for your pastry loving friend.
