Souvenir from Paris
My friend is going to Paris for Thanksgiving and she asked me what she could get for me.
I love food and drink and I would love for her to bring back something amazing without being too much of a burden for her to buy/obtain/transport. Any ideas?
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15 Comments:
Chocolates are always a good choice. So are coffee and teas, which usually have the advantage of being packed in a tin in case her luggage is not handled gently.
mrsadm at 7:38AM on 11/14/07
When my boyfriend went last year he brought back a few bottles of genuine French wine and Champagne. It doesn't have to be expensive kinds either, and they are EASY to get a hold of. He actually just bought them from the hotel restaurant.
Cheyanne at 8:07AM on 11/14/07
If she's near Les Halles, she might stop in on E. Dehillerin, 18 et 20, rue Coquillière (www.e-dehillerin.fr/en/index.php), and pick up a spoon or whisk or other gadget. I treasure (and use every day) the two wood-handled spoons I bought a couple of years ago.
Dee at 8:41AM on 11/14/07
Lentils de Puy if you can't buy them where you are. Fleur de sel, the salt. RinQuinQuin, the aperitif from Provence. Real Dijon mustard, one of the dozen or more types. And by the way, the Christmas decorations will be up by then, on the streets in front of the big department stores and the Champs Elysee; it's great that time of year. All this stuff can be gotten at Monoprix, except the RinQuinQuin, the French equivalent of...mmm, maybe Target. If she hasn't been to a Monoprix, it's a good chance to see non-tourist life. And yes, they have groceries as well as panty hose. (Knitters: Some even have yarn!)
lemons at 10:35AM on 11/14/07
Just remember the restrictions on liquid. I am not sure if you can declare it and get it on but I know after one bottle you must pay duty. Best to check with TSA and then with customs. Might be easer to have your friend ship any liquids so all the standing in line is not astounding.
The things my in-laws bring me when they go every year are kitchen gadgets, fleur de sal, herbs, le creuset. If you are trying to not be a burden I would tell her to bring you back some macarons, chocolate and a few types of fleur de sal.
JerzeeTomato at 10:35AM on 11/14/07
I second JerzeeTomato's suggestion macarons!
charm city cupcake at 10:40AM on 11/14/07
I agree with the macaron suggestion, specifically from Pierre Herme, but the packaging from Laduree is better. (I put some bubble wrap in the boxes I brought back from Pierre Herme for minimal..squish-age.) I'd also recommend punitions from Poilâne (little crunchy buttery cookies of mass deliciousness) and madeleines from Secco Patisserie. (I brought a huge box of those home and they held up well...and they're really good, of course.)
Robyn Lee at 11:56AM on 11/14/07
I 100% agree with macarons from Pierre Herme. Fleur de sel is great but you can find it, imported, at home. Not so the macarons.
earlydrive at 1:59PM on 11/14/07
How good of a friend is this? E. Dehillerin, as suggested by Dee, is an AMAZING store. Thats where I bought my copper pots and pans that I brought back. Their prices are very good even with the weak dollar.
Foie gras is always a good option. So are things like candied chestnuts ("marrons glacés"), wines and spirits, and the mustard idea is great. They dont have the stupid TSA over there, and if you put everything in your checked luggage you'll be fine.
The only people to fear are the goons in Agriculture when you return, but its very rare they will search you unless you do something stupid, like check off on your entry form that you have raw meats, fruits and plants and that youve visited a farm. If you just check no on everything, you breeze though.
I came back with a bottle of Sauternes, six cans of foie gras and other patés, a jar of raw honey, salted seaweed called salicornes and two black truffles in my suitcase, as well as my copper which was in my carry on. Needless to say, i was nervous, but it paid off handsomely.
seyo at 3:26PM on 11/14/07
Your friend is so lucky.
Food would be last thing I'd ask a friend in Paris to buy for me. I'd rather have a purse, sunglasses, lip stick, scarf or even a post card.
Espresso beans or tea are nice suggestions too.
paris221966 at 4:02PM on 11/14/07
Go to David Lebovitz's web site. He's former pastry chef of Chez Panisse and author of numerous cookbooks on chocolate, ice cream and desserts. Lives in Paris and has lists of things foodies in town should make sure to visit, eat and bring home as gifts.
Eliz. at 5:16PM on 11/14/07
Wow thank you all so much for your great responses. I just finished skimming through them but I'm out the door again. Right now I think I'm leaving towards those macarons haha
Joseph Bayot at 7:05PM on 11/14/07
I've actually brought back food from overseas several times. Not huge amounts of anything, but specific snacks or treats that I can't get in the states.
I always declare what I am bringing in and have never had to pay any extra tariff or had to leave anything behind.
cmckenna at 11:47AM on 11/15/07
Something I always get is French cereal. The Kellog cereal in France is really different and not something you can find here in the U.S. My favorite is the muesli with dark chocolate bits/shavings. Amazing stuff.
holybasil at 6:01PM on 11/15/07
You should ask David Lebovitz!
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 7:33PM on 11/15/07