Chez Marianne

This was my third visit to Chez Marianne, a kosher Middle Eastern deli-restaurant in Le Marais. I've stood in line for a delectable sandwich from their take-out window and also feasted on their sampler plates.

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DOW: Margarita

We're happy we watched the Thirsty Traveler episode in which Kevin Brauch exhorts us to only buy tequila made from 100% agave. Many commonly available tequilas include sugars from other sources, although they still must be at least 51% agave.

The margarita is another drink that, like the daiquiri, has been corrupted over the years, but the basic version is simple and sophisticated at the same time.

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Le Garde Robe

One of the things I love about Paris is its abundance of museums. On every visit to the City of Lights, I spend hours in the Musée d'Orsay. I've also had the pleasure of visiting Musée du Louvre, Musée Rodin, Musée de l'Orangerie, the Centre Pompidou, Musée du Vin and others.

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Vegan Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

This time of year, it seems that pumpkins are inescapable, from pumpkin pies to jack o' lanterns. We have no problems jumping on the bandwagon, at least when it comes to pumpkins, since we're happy to bake with pumpkins throughout the year.

When I saw these on Camilla Salsbury's Enlightened Cooking blog, I knew I had to make them.

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À L'Étoile d'Or

I met possibly the friendliest shopkeeper in Paris, if not the world. She is the proprietor of arguably the best candy shop in Paris, located in the 9me arrondissement near the Moulin Rouge. If you have ever in your life craved anything sweet, make the effort to find this place. You will not regret it.

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Léo le Lion

The name of this bistro, Léo le Lion, caught my eye as we were standing at the hotel desk one afternoon. Having an affinity for lions, I did some simple research and decided we would give it a shot.

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Rue Cler

Our hotel, situated in the 7me arrondissement, offered easy access to one the best market streets we've seen. Obviously, when a street this famous, it's going to be a huge tourist draw. Nevertheless, someone's got to be buying enough fresh seafood, meats and produce to keep the vendors in business, and it's likely not the visitors, who mostly stay in hotels and eat out at restaurants.

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Les Deux Magots

On our previous visits to Paris, we've seen and avoided this super popular restaurant, not only because we thought it was a tourist trap, but also because it was it was just so crowded.

Les Deux Magots, originally a gift shop established in 1812, was named after a popular play of the same name about two Chinese merchants. By 1885, it had become a bar frequented by literary icons such as Verlaine, Rimbaud and Mallarmé.

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DOW: Bloody Mary

The origin of this drink, which first appeared in 1930's, is disputed, but more clear is the inspiration for its name, Mary I, Queen of England, who in the 16th century earned the nickname "Bloody Mary" for her execution hundreds of Protestants during her reign.

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L'Atlas

When you want Moroccan food, Paris is a good place to be. There are dozens of good restaurants marocaines, and L'Atlas, located on just off the Seine on the Boulevard St. Germain, is one of them. After a long day of walking, soon after it began to rain, we ducked inside the entrance into a relaxing refuge.

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Villefranche-Sur-Mer

This Italianesque village built on a cliff dangling over the sea will forever be seared in my mind.

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La Merenda

Dominique Le Stanc earned two Michelin stars when he was the chef of Le Chantecler restaurant in Nice. He quit to take over La Merenda. This restaurant came highly recommended from friends, and we had to give them a chance.

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Native to Nice

Though we've been to France a few times before, this was our first visit to the lovely seaside city of Nice, and to its fabulous museums, namely the Musée Matisse, the Musée Chagall, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts.

We were also thrilled to taste some of the local treats besides the famous salade niçoise.

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Mulled Cranberry Sauce

Ever since we found this recipe in a 1999 issue of Bon Appetit, we have not roasted a turkey without also making this sauce.

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DOW: Champagne Cocktail

Since we had a bottle of cava open, we thought we'd try another bubbly cocktail. The classic champagne cocktail immediately came to mind.

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