Celebrate at Beaubourg

The taxes have been done. Those of you who got a tidy refund, it may be time to celebrate. Where? Head on down to Brookfield Place's Le District, the "Paris" of New York City where Beauboug is located. Classically French, this menu will tempt you with escargots, Tornedos Rossini, and frog's legs. Remember that this is a celebration and not a gala all-out break-the-bank fiesta. The succulent steak frites hits all the right notes with a rich meaty flavor and just the right touch of caramelized fat around the edges that will make your mouth swoon. A mound of crisp yet tender French fries and a blade or two of salad greens rounds out this stunning dish. A glass of rose champagne or rich Burgundy elevates the meal to a higher plane. Shall we make a reservation?

Morceau de Chocolat

Many times a week all I want is a piece of pure dark chocolate. What do I choose? Royce Chocolate from Japan. Boxes containing individually wrapped pieces of dark or extra bitter chocolate melt in my mouth and bring happiness to my whole being. With locations on Madison Avenue and on Bleeker Street, a box containing Venezuelan or Ghanaian chocolate is reasonable and even if you eat just one piece a day, it will last you forty days! Now isn't this delightful?

Raspberry Caramels

Did caramels feature at your holiday feast this weekend? No? You need to fix this right away. Head over to 2Beans, a European style chocolatier and coffee establishment that stocks a large variety of candy and chocolate that are hard to resist. And why should you? The raspberry caramels from Lackerli Huus are irresistible. Pricey and not always in stock, pick up at least two packets at a time. You'll thank yourself when you take your first bite - satiny with a rich framboise flavor. Now don't finish it all in one sitting. Keep it in an airtight container so that next time the craving strikes, all you have to do it open the bottle.

Pass me a another piece!

Mast Brothers make an assortment of chocolate bars. Several of them are too tannic which may not suit everyone's taste. There is one exception - the vanilla & smoke bar. Here is a chocolate that is smooth with subtle vanilla notes and a pleasant smoky after-taste that lingers on the tongue long after the last swallow. Stretch out your hand to take one more piece and then quietly another......

A Shower of Macarons

A macaron a day will keep you on cloud nine every day. This is my philosophy.

Did you have a macaron on Friday? The first day of Spring also falls on "Macaron Day" and several patisseries were handing out free macarons to rapacious customers. Blueberry and pumpkin spice at Mad Mac, yuzu at Bisou Ciao, honey-cognac at Milles-Feuilles, chocolate-mint at Todd English. Salivating?

Mine is even though I ate my way through fourteen of them. 

You should too!

Honingwafels

Honingwafels are similar to stroopwafels and simply yummy. A pair of thin waffles encase honey or caramel. Instead of eating it plain, have it the way the Dutch enjoy it. Place one stroopwaffel over a hot cup of coffee or tea and let the stiff filling soften. Now take a bite and swoon. Available also from Belgium, Canada, and now in America, the best ones ideally come from Holland. Garden of Eden seems to be the store that has this honingwaffel that is particularly tasty.

Next time a friend is flying to Europe, you know what to ask for!

An abundance of oranges

Clementines, mandarines, minneolas, tangelos - winter brings an abundance of these richly hued segments of juicy flavor. Go ahead and indulge. Have one for breakfast, tuck one in to take for a snack during the day. Add them to a bowl with flambeed bananas and topped with mounds of whipped cream touched with a hint of creme fraiche. Place a few on a table next to a lit candle before going deep into a meditative state.

Feast your eyes and your taste buds.