Sugar and Spice in Paris

In recent months a former three-star chef and the son of one of the greatest chocolatiers in Paris have both opened two unique boutiques.

Un Dimanche a Paris

Un Dimanche a Paris



Pierre Cluizel diligently worked for his father Michel Cluizel, one of the top chocolatiers in France, for 25 years roaming the globe to find exotic new chocolate sources. Fifteen months ago he gave it all up and sold his share of the thriving family business to follow a new chocolate dream. His new brainchild is Un Dimanche a Paris, a total chocolate concept store. The modern, elegant shop is located in an ancient cobble-stoned passageway off the Blvd. St. Germain and incorporates a restaurant, retail shop, and cocktail lounge all dedicated to the art of chocolate.

Chef William Caumisson was commissioned to use his imagination to create a sophisticated menu where all the dishes from entrees to dessert contain some form of chocolate. Dishes like 3 types of foie gras with Venezuelan chocolate and sea salt and codfish with cocoa powder served with mussels and saffron risotto are already winning accolades.

Upstairs in the sexily lit lounge and private meeting rooms, cocktails are served with a hint of chocolate.

Next to the restaurant in the spacious retail space, pastry chef Quentin Bailly has filled the showcases with dazzling, decadent French pastries and chocolates including many flavors of macarons, tarts, cakes, cookies, and chocolate covered glazed fruit. Hot chocolate to surely write home about is served in a specifically designed pot of white porcelain with a wooden handle.

Un Dimanche a Paris
4-6-8 Cour de Commerce Saint André, 6th arr.
Tel. 01 56 81 18 18
www.un-dimanche-a-paris.com
 

Epices Roellinger

Epices Roellinger

In 2008, master chef Olivier Roellinger decided to close his super successful three-star restaurant in Cancale after 30 years, citing health concerns. Not one to rest on his laurels, he decided to channel his passion for food in a different form. He opened Epices Roellinger, a spice shop with spice varieties from around the globe. He recently opened an outpost on the rue St. Anne, a street crammed with good but cheap Asian restaurants.

Dark wooden planked floors give way to tall shelves stacked with hundreds of spices, sea salts, powders, and peppercorns from Uganda to Tahiti. The bottles and jars have red, easy to read labels in bold print. For avid bakers there is a selection of 20 different types of vanilla beans. Classic salted butter caramels from Brittany, top quality olive oils, cookbooks, condiments, and aprons are also stocked. Be sure to check out the antique sailboat made entirely out of cloves in the showcase in the middle of the shop. 
 

Epicis Roellinger

51 bis rue St. Anne, 2nd arr.
Tel. 01 42 60 46 88
www.epices-roellinger.com