Le Bon Marché / Cookbooks and Cookery Sets for Christmas

  "Le Bon Marché" is a department store located on the "Rive Gauche" (left bank of the Seine), in the VII arrondisement. Its name is a big contradiction since "bon marché" means "inexpensive", but believe me, this store is far from being economical....Its clientèle is made up mainly of the Bobos (French acronym for Bourgeois-Bohème), that is to say affluent people, with a bohemian nature....




What is important for us, gourmands, is that in this store, you will find one of the best and biggest épiceries (grocery store), with an enormous selection of goods, from all around the world...products ranging from fresh vegetables and fruits, cakes, delicatessen, spices, wines, champagne, cheese, fish, etc.



At the basement of this store, there is a bookstore. Normally, they have a wide selection of culinary books, but for Christmas, culinary diversity is in "full swing" and books literally "mushroom"....
For those hoping some day to become professionals, or very conscientious amateurs, the "classics" are not to be missed....





Books by "stars" of French Cuisine are a sure bet:      Alain Ducasse.....



or Pierre Hermé....



Let's not forget the girls, since there are, in France, two women who got their "étoiles Michelin" (prizes given to restaurants of outstanding quality), Hélène Darroze.....



and Anne Sophie Pic....




For those that love the practical side in everything, the latest word (or spoon) would be this, if you are thinking of a friendly "pot" (drink) at home, with creative appetizers served in small glasses (verrines) or little spoons....



You will also surprise your friends serving "casseroles" in small, individual "cocottes"...



You have nightmares with macarons? Well, here you will find a recipe book plus whatever is needed to make them....( no success guarantee, mind you!)



Then, there are books with intriguing, eye catching names, like: "Cuisine of the seven sins...", or "Cuisine lucky charm".....



...books for a very specific audience, like those who want to cook the same vegetables their grandparents made their soups with.....



and finally, if your friend or brother has just divorced (or runs the risk of divorcing..), this book will save his life....



Have you taken your pick?


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Comments

Soledad said…
Qué lastima que no consigamos esos libros en BA !!!!
Muy bueno el blog ((((
December 21, 2009 at 7:59 AM
chm said…
As its name implies, 'Grande épicerie' is great. As far as the "Bon Marché" is concerned, I used to say you find there everything except what you're looking for! LOL - MDR
December 23, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Magdalena said…
You know, the thing with Le Bon Marche is kind of strange. I live one block away from that food store, and at the beginning I was visiting it nearly every day just to have a look at a range of products. At first, one thinks that one will find everything there. Especially all those millions of little jars with fancy sauces, mustards, spices and so on. But at least few times, when I was searching for a particular product (like, for example, Italian flour for pasta) - they did not have it. And, for example, a stand with Polish products is not only poor, bad of bad quality...but all in all the place is great, although one should be careful about buying cheeses there (on marche at blvd Raspail some cheeses are simply better and cheaper). As regards meat, the traditional butcher of Mr Bajon at Rue Abbe Gregoire is outstanding and better than Le Bon Marche and in plus Mr Bajon is a nice person). I never buy fish there, too as prices are outrageous.
Do you know librairie gourmande at rue Montmartre?
http://www.librairiegourmande.fr/bo
utique/
The place is great - thousands of cookbooks, new and old, including old editions ...
Kind regards!

P.S. It is a pity that one cannot take pictures in Le Grand Epicerie.
June 3, 2010 at 11:16 PM
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