But keep in mind that just as French vacationers commonly divide themselves into camps of those who like to vacation in July (“juilletistes”) and those who favor the month of August (“aoutiens”), the city government takes the obligation to provide bread for its citizens and visitors so seriously that Parisian bakeries are assigned vacations, split into two groups and allowed by law to alternatively take off either July or August, switching it up every year. The law dates from 1790, created in order to prevent famine when bread was a major source of nutrition during the French Revolution.

(A caveat, however: just because your favorite boulangerie happens to be open doesn’t mean that it’s the A team running the place. The only time I have ever seen a boulangerie run out of croissants? August in Paris.)

Earlier this summer, the national Observatoire du Pain launched a billboard campaign to encourage the French to buy more bread (although 97,6 % of French people eat it, bread consumption in France has dropped to half a baguette per person per day, down from three baguettes per day in the early 1900s, and one baguette in the 1970s).

The campaign is also fighting against public perception that bread is fattening and gluten is the enemy by promoting bread as a healthy diet aid.

Finding your baguette in August

To help summertime Parisians procure their daily bread, the Chambre professionnelle des artisans boulangers-pâtissiers has compiled a list of boulangeries that remain open in August.

Or if you want to geo-localize your next croissant, go here.

The post Half of Paris’ Boulangeries Remain Open in August appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Although bäckerei are a common fixture on any Berlin street, not all loaves are created equal. But fear not, here’s a quick(-rising) guide to three of my favorite bakeries in Berlin:

Soluna Soluna Brot und Öl.
Gneisenaustr. 58, 10961 Berlin
(+49) 30 61671191
Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sat 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Owner, Peter Klann is a baker of the Old World. His Kreuzberg-based bakery’s wood-oven stone near the entrance hints at the quality of loaves that rise here, luring customers in with the yeasty aroma of freshly baked bread.

The shop offers a range of traditional German style brots, as well as some foreign-inspired starches, such as Ligurian Olive Bread or the traditional French baguette. There are also house-made spreads (known as “pistes”), cheeses, cured meats, leberwurst, and other amiable bread companions available for purchase.

Weichardt
Mehlitzstrasse 7, Wilmersdorf
(+49) 30 873 8099
Tues-Fri 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Located off a sleepy street in Wilmersdorf, Weichardt’s modest entrance and size belies its reputation when it comes to the art of German bread-baking. Although a small space, it manages to craft a vast variety of German-style breads that easily rival the size of your head.

Since its inception in 1977, Weichardt has leavened its reputation amongst Berlin bread-lovers dishing out traditional loaves, such as Roggenbrot (rye) and Volkornbrot (whole-grain). If you have sweet tooth, then their Schokosahne Torteand, a decadent confection composed of bitter chocolate and cream is a must.

Brotgarten
Seelingstrasse 30, Charlottenburg
(+49) 30 322 8880
Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

The whole-grain bread movement first took shape in the late 19th century under the direction of the “life reform” movement, which sought to return dense unrefined bread to the table and reinstate its place in German life in order to counter the rise of starchy white rolls. A close cousin of the Austrian-led organic movement, its hearty reign continues today and Brotgarten, located in Charlottenburg is further evidence of it.

Founded in 1978, Brotgarten is considered one of Berlin’s first whole-grain bakeries. It offers an impressive variety of 29 whole-grain style loaves keeping customer healthy (not to mention full). Next-door is a sister cafe, where you can dip your crusty loaf in some warm soup or indulge in the traditional afternoon, kaffee and kuchen ritual with a sweet slice of their Linzertorte and a frothy latte macchiato.

Also in our guide: If this post has raised your interest, stop loafing around and head over to our Berlin guide where you’ll find a wide-variety of information on budget travel, including reviews of the best budget hotels in Berlin.

The post Berlin: Our 3 favorite bakeries for your daily bread appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So I did. Pastry chef, blogger, and author David Lebovitz just launched a new iPhone application last week called “Paris Pastry Shops” that includes 300 of his hand-picked favorite places in Paris to indulge in sweets.

Lebovitz, a favorite resource among expats, tourists and locals, took a few minutes to discuss how to find the right pastries at the right price in the City of Light.

If you found a €2 coin and had a sweet craving, where would you go?

I would probably go to a really good bakery and get a croissant such as the ones listed in the app, like Blé Sucré (Square Trousseau 7, rue Antoine Vollon). Generally you can get one for €1.05, and that’s a really good deal.

What’s the worst way to waste money on pastries or chocolate?

I think people shouldn’t necessarily assume price goes with quality. There are a lot of neighborhood bakeries that make very good pastries but that are not famous and are not Ladurée or Pierre Hermé (which are good, but you can do very well in neighborhood bakeries spending a fraction of the money for exceptional quality).

In the app we tried to include things that were not necessarily well known but were places for people who are a little more adventurous and looking for bargains.

Why an app for the iPhone?

I started a guidebook several years ago and I spoke with several of my publishers who said guidebooks are going out of favor. I figured a lot of people come to France for pastries and chocolates and ice cream, so this was a natural fit.

When smart phones became more prolific, it seemed like the perfect format for this sort of application. It can be updated and readers can add their own favorites and share things. The price of the app is also lower. Plus you can include hundreds and hundreds of photos, so even if you’re not going to Paris you can still enjoy the pastries.

Are there any sweets you don’t like?

I don’t like desserts that are heavily sweetened. I like caramel that’s slightly burnt, lemony things, bitter chocolates. I search for things that are more balanced, things that have a sweet edge.

What’s your favorite splurge?

I would go to Fouquet and get a big box of the chocolate covered spice wafers called “croquantes.” They are addictive and exceptional. I’d get a big tin of those and eat them all by myself.

Favorite neighborhood for sweets?

There’s a high concentration of very good places in the 6th because there are lots of tourists and lots of money there. But I think if you explore the 11th there are lots of good places, like Blé Sucré. I think that this part of Paris is a lot more interesting.

Farthest you’ll travel for a sweet?

I won’t take three Metro lines. Generally two is my maximum. If I have to change more than two Metros I won’t bother.

Do you ever get sick of pastries or chocolate?

Not really. I actually like to taste a lot of things. It’s hard for me to eat a whole pastry. It’s more interesting to try bites of different things. I like bite-sized pastries. I kind of graze, so I’ll sit around and eat little bits and bites of things, instead of an entire cake, which is good for my waistline.

For more information on his new app, check out David’s blog at www.davidlebovitz.com

The post Paris: David Lebovitz reviews Paris’ best pastry shops appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are three Cheapo picks for my favorite pancake shops in Amsterdam:

Pannekoekenboot (Pancake Boat)
Web site (in Dutch)
4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Pancakes on a boat? Only in the Netherlands. The Pancake Boat organizes one hour, 90-minute, and three-hour boat rides throughout the city on their large and authentic-looking boat. While patrons cruise through the canals the servers bring out rounds and rounds of pancakes. It’s an all-you-can-eat ordeal as you taste pancakes flavored with apple, or bacon, and add toppings like cheese or chocolate sprinkles.

The boat also offers theme cruises for kids, Sunday brunches, and romantic pancake excursions. The price starts at €15 per person per hour, and the normal cruise starts at 4:30 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.

Carousel Pancake House
Weteringschans

This pancake house, round in shape like a pancake, boasts its own vintage carousel. The location is central, smack dab in the middle of Weteringschans roundabout, just next to the Heineken Brewery, and their menu is extensive. Prices are normal, about €12 for a typical ham and cheese pancake, although many patrons flock here for their sweet and sugary mini pancakes, or poffertjes.

What sets this pancake place aside from the others is its special character and relaxed atmosphere. Sure it’s for tourists and non locals, but it’s cute and their prices are reasonable. The service is decent, and the place is nice and spacious.

The Pancake Bakery
Prinsengracht 191
Web site
Open daily noon to 9:30 p.m.

The Pancake Bakery offers the real Dutch pancake experience when it comes to look, feel and flavor. Centrally located along the Prinsengracht, the two-level house offers an oh-so cozy and candlelit lower level and a high-ceiling top floor with a canal view. The space is small, and it’s common to share tables with other patrons, however the friendly atmosphere makes it all comfortable.

Tables are equipped with a pot of stroop syrup and powdered sugar, but we’d recommend getting creative with their exotic pancake menu. Why settle for the blueberry when you can dive into a pineapple? Or how about the Egyptian pancake with lamp, red pepper, garlic sauce and salad? Those with a sweet tooth will love dishes like “French”– a pancake with apple, raisins, vanilla ice cream, Cointreau and whipped cream.

Prices vary from €7 for the basics and €14 for the fancy selections.

Other cakes in town

There are dozens of pancake places around Amsterdam, many of them with an extensive menu and prices that aren’t too expensive. But your best bet is to venture off the busy plazas and select one that’s within your budget and memorable.

Do you have a favorite pancake provider? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post Amsterdam: Our 3 favorite pancake joints appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That’s why this week in Cheapoland our staff held a “cupcake taste-off” to suss out the very best in baked goodness (a tough job, we know).

Here’s how it worked: This Cheapo hot-footed it to three downtown cupcake purveyors and picked up two cupcakes at each: one red velvet to serve as the “control” cupcake, along with one other “unique” flavor. Back at the office, Team Cheapo—also known as Tom, Meredith, Pete and Kari—embarked on a blind tasting to analyze each shop for taste, texture, frosting, looks and variety.

Meet the Contestants

Though the West Village mainstay Magnolia Bakery helped to kick-start the cupcake craze with a cameo in Sex and the City, I left it out of this competition, partly based on personal preference (I find their frosting to be too sweet) and partly because the shop, while still within walking distance of the EuroCheapo offices, is in the opposite direction of the other contenders. That said, the “Mama” bakery’s influence can be felt in a couple of the bakeries you’re about to meet.

Sugar Sweet Sunshine
126 Rivington Street
Web site

The vibe: This cozy Lower East Side spot with the oh-so-adorable name is simple and unpretentious. Furnished with mismatched thrift store finds, including a comfy couch and armchair, it gets major points for setting a homey scene.

The Bakers and Baked Goods: Owner-bakers Debbie Weiner and Peggy Williams are long-time friends and Magnolia alums who set off to create a welcoming, yummy spot of their own. The shop is named for a cement etching they spotted one day while looking at bakery spaces.

Sugar Sweet serves up colorful cakes in fun flavors like pistachio, “Ooey Gooey” and “Lemon Yummy.” But, come summertime, their light, creamy strawberry-lemon trifle is the treat to beat.

The Cakes: Where other bakeries seem to gouge you, cupcakes here cost a Cheapo-friendly $1.75 each. Our tasters tried the Strawberry Cream Cheese, a new addition to the Sugar Sweet menu, and the “Sassy Red Velvet,” which is topped with “The Moose” frosting.

The Verdict: I’ll admit to some surprise that my stand-by bakery did not hold up in this particular competition. With a few exceptions, the tasting team was less than impressed with the Sugar Sweet cakes. The breakdown?

Looks: The Sugar Sweet cakes are unabashedly simple. Bakers here are not concerned with fancy, instead creating simple cupcakes with sunny sprinkles. While the strawberry cake was festive with its pink frosting and sprinkles, the red velvet, with its disheveled whipped frosting, left the team less than excited. (Meredith: “It has a kiddie lemonade stand look.”)

Cake: The strawberry cake came in last with just about everyone in the group, mostly based on its crumbly texture and mysterious flavor (both Tom and Meredith noted that they did not know it was strawberry until told). As for the red velvet, there were similar concerns, though Pete ranked that “giant, delicious sponge” his number two overall pick.

Frosting: The strawberry cake had an unremarkable frosting, neither terrible nor earth shattering. Feelings on the red velvet, however, were far more varied. We ladies found it to be overly sweet and not complementary to the cake, but Tom loved its “whipped, lighter than air” texture.

Overall: I’ll admit that I was a tad disappointed with the strawberry cake, especially given that I sometimes dream about the shop’s incredible lemon cupcake. As for the red velvet, the reviews were mixed, and surprisingly divided down a “battle of the sexes” line, with the gals unimpressed and the guys enjoying both cake and frosting. In all, the shop is sweet and its treats worth trying, provided, it seems, you choose correctly.

Looking into the Little Cupcake Bakeshop.

Little Cupcake Bakeshop
30 Prince Street
Web site

The Vibe: This may be the cutest little cupcake shop in New York. It’s both a blast from the past and a step into a big green future. The black-and-white floor, marble counter and retro clock contribute to a sweet, old-fashioned Americana vibe, but hidden out of sight are sundry modern eco-friendly additions.

The Bakers and Baked Goods: As though it couldn’t get any, um, sweeter, the LCB is owned and operated by three brothers from Brooklyn (they have another store in Bay Ridge), who pay special attention to making their colorful confections with local ingredients—including some that come directly from their own mother’s garden. They also work with local organizations to better the community.

The wide array of cupcakes here ranges from the traditional to the very unique, like the “Mott Street” (tiramisu inspired in a nod to the shop’s location in old Little Italy) and the “Coney Island” (infused with cotton candy flavor in tribute to the shop’s Brooklyn roots).

The Cakes: It seems you pay for the pretty here: $3 a cupcake. In addition to the red velvet, tasters tried the peanut butter, though the choices here are seemingly endless.

The Verdict: When it comes to atmosphere, this bakeshop takes the cake. But what of the cupcakes? The brothers get mega points for variety and creativity, but the cakes themselves were just sort of middle of the road. Here’s what our tasters had to say.

Looks: LCB does a great job with aesthetics, and these were probably the prettiest of the cakes, each with big dollops of frosting and festive garnishes.

Cake: In this category, the goods didn’t fare so well. Nearly all of our judges felt that both cakes were disappointingly dry.

Frosting: Everyone enjoyed the peanut butter flavor, which was yummy but not overpowering, but it was a mixed bag when it came to the red velvet’s cream cheese frosting. Half of us loved the rich buttery frosting, which Pete ranked numero uno because it “packed a punch,” but Meredith felt that the flavor overpowered.

Overall: For the most part, the two LCB cakes ranked among everyone’s second and third choices (out of six cakes). These are certainly not the best cupcakes when compared side by side, but I do say this bakery wins in terms of creativity, ambiance and overall mission. It’s the spot to go for a coffee and cupcake break during your travels.

Billy’s Bakery
268 Elizabeth Street
Web site

The Vibe: Nestled on pretty Elizabeth Street, literally a block from LCB, Billy’s is tiny and bright, with a cheery turquoise awning and two small tables. Where Sugar Sweet is homey and LCB old-fashioned, this shop wears its sleek modernity in its yellow lights and straight lines. It’s cute, but felt a bit less personal than the others.

The Bakers and Baked Goods: Another former Magnolia employee, Billy Reece branched out on his own in 2003 and now has three shop locations (the others are in Chelsea at 184 9th Avenue and in Tribeca at 75 Franklin Street).

It’s all about simplicity here: basic flavors topped with generous amounts of frosting with little in the way of adornment. As for variety, in addition to the usual chocolate and vanilla variations (and the now quite common red velvet), Billy’s offers banana and carrot cupcakes.

The judges hard at work.

The Cakes: Like LCB, the cakes here run $3 a pop. We tried red velvet and, for variety, banana.

The Verdict: Given its somewhat larger “chain” feel and its well-known history as a Magnolia offshoot, I must admit I hadn’t given Billy’s a ton of credit. But, while the bakery verged on “vanilla” in terms of atmosphere and flavors, its cakes edged out the others overall.

Looks: This is the one category where Billy’s did not really stand out. The cakes were simple and topped with silky smooth pillows of plain white frosting. They’re pretty, but more in a sophisticated sense than a fun “cupcake” sense.

Cake: With the exception of Pete, who said his was dry, all the judges ranked Billy’s red velvet as their first or second of the six, mostly for its consistency and, for Meredith, “a bit of a chocolatey touch.” The banana was also among the top-ranking for its moist cake that Tom likened to a banana bread texture. (Kari, though, did not like the “cakey” aftertaste.)

Frosting: Tom and Meredith both loved the “utltra-rich” banana frosting, but I found it to be on the over-sweet side. The red velvet again topped many of the frosting reviews, with Tom calling it a “buttery with more intense flavor” and Kari raving that the icing and cake “melt together.”

Overall: Though Billy’s seems to place stylish over whimsical when it comes to shop and actual cupcakes, in terms of taste it came out the winner, with both cupcakes taking first or second place for most of our judges.

We hated them.

The Final Verdict

Our elaborate testing mostly proved that everyone has different tastes. While Billy’s ranked highest overall, most enjoyed LCB’s frosting, and I still stand by Sugar Sweet’s other flavors.

In short, Cheapos, I suggest you administer our own test. And, since all three shops are within a 20-minute walk of each other, it would be quite easy to set up a little cupcake crawl.

If you choose to do so, also look out for the cupcake carts that sometimes hang around. There is often one in Washington Square Park (West 4th Street and Thompson Street) and I’ve also seen one on Broadway and Houston.

Also on the route is Baked by Melissa, a veritable hole in the wall at 529 Broadway (the opening is on Spring Street) that serves up teeny-tiny cupcake bites, in crazy flavors like “Smores” or “Cookies and Cream,” for $1 a pop.

Your favorite cake?

Do you have a favorite cupcake in the city? Tell us, Cheapos!

The post New York Bakeries: The great cupcake taste-off appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So this week I’ve taken it to the table, by conducting an impromptu taste testing with three of my favorite food snobs. Scientist Jean-François, filmmaker Peter and writer Véronique all agreed to lend a helping hand, while sipping crisp white wine.

But first things first, Cheapos, let’s meet our contestants!

Ladurée
€15 (per half dozen macarons)
Time spent waiting in line: one hour

Since 1862 Ladurée has been donning pastels like no other. Their shops are sprinkled about the city, including Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 2.

Tip: Every year Ladurée rolls out a “flavor of the year,” along with a matching set of gift boxes. More tidbits: Belle Époch poster artist Jules Chéret designed their Saint-Germain tea salon and shop at 21 Rue Bonaparte. Sex and the City fans, Carrie Bradshaw “ate here” during the season six finale. Also, Ladurée’s pastel colors inspired the color schemes in Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette.

Gérard Mulot
€9 (per half dozen macarons)
Time spent waiting in line: 15 minutes

On the flip side, sparky new kid on the block Gérard Mulot has been pouring on the pizazz with a vibrant palette since 1975. From the day-glo-get-go, Mulot’s shops, macaroons, and gift boxes have been bursting with his trademark set of fluorescent colors.

His shops are located in Saint-Germain des Prés and the Marais, but the main bakery and flagship shop are located at 93 Rue Glacière in the 13th arrondissement.

Tip: Tours of the workshop are offered. Just contact the Glacière shop prior to your visit.

The taste testing

Round one: First impressions

The first round was all about looks, see. Tucked away in Véro’s kitchen, I hid the telltale signs of boxes and bags, and quickly quartered six macarons (three from each contestant). Acting as the impartial moderator, I then presented the samples (organized by flavor) on a white dish (pictured, top), and asked the judges for feedback on the macaron colors. Gut reactions were immediate and judgment was swift.

In living color

“So French, more natural and very chic,” said Véro, describing Ladurée’s soft pastel hues. “Classical,” said Jean-François before he continued. “Those bright ones are tacky and look artificial.” Peter concurred with a filmmaker’s snapshot. “While the vibrant macarons are photogenic, they’re too gaudy-looking.”

And just like that (in no more than two minutes), Ladurée won the first round in the looks-alone department. Ring-a-ding-ding!

Round two: Sweet is the lore

Then, with eyes shut, phase two of the testing got underway. My judges blind-taste-tested each sample, starting with the citron.

“I like this one because it reminds me of my mother’s lemon pie,” said Véro, gesturing toward the Mulot product without knowing which one it was. Both guys concurred, giving the Mulots high marks for their “natural zest.” With his eyes closed, Jean-François couldn’t place the taste of the Ladurée citron sample, while Peter found the same pastel morsels “too sweet and artificial tasting.”

So you can’t judge a book by its cover

After they sampled four more macarons, I revealed the results, which were surprisingly consistent and unanimous.

Here the tables turned, Cheapos. The judges found the Mulot macarons “natural tasting,” “authentic,” and “recognizable,” despite their artificial colors, while they found the Ladurée samples “saccharine” and “artificial,” even though visually they seemed more appealing.

After Mulot was declared the winner of round two, post-game contemplation continued throughout the night with more wine. But of course!

My recommendation?

Try both and be your own judge. To make the game even more interesting, add other famous makers like Arnaud Larher or Pierre Hermé to the mix!

Cheapos, who makes your favorite macaron in Paris?

Have a favorite macaron? Tell us about it in the comments section.

A big thank you goes out to Véronique, Peter and Jean-François! Cheapos, I sprung the taste testing on them at a recent dinner party. They took it seriously and elevated it to another level. Merci!

The post Paris Macaron Taste Test: Ladurée vs Gérard Mulot appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And soon I was hooked. Still after all these years, my love for the classic French “sammiches” (as my musician brother Will says) is here to stay. And what’s not to adore? Individually wrapped, often in beautifully illustrated bags, they’re delectable, affordable and oh so portable.

So, as a nod to the upcoming picnic season and to New York Times 82-year-old street photographer Bill Cunningham, let’s pedal push wildly “On the Streets” of Paris, and find out what the best-dressed sandwiches are wearing this season. I’ll also tip you off to two of my favorite current joints for sandwiches—a café and a boulangerie. Relish that, Cheapos!

Jambon Beurre Gruyère (ham, butter and Gruyère cheese)

Tip one
Splurge-worthy: Café de la Mairie
8 Place Saint-Sulpice, 6th arrondissement (Metro: Saint Sulpice or Rennes)

Thank my sister Wendy for this discovery. During her recent trip to Paris, she’s the one who wisely suggested that we take a much-needed touring (and shopping) break at the Café de la Mairie, and I’m happy to report that the experience was a knockout win-grin.

I had photographed the café’s terrace-action for previous Cheapo stories, but I had never dined there. Truth be told, for the love of saving euros, I usually try to avoid the bars and cafés near tourist hotspots, and the Café de la Mairie is located in the heart of Saint-Germain, kitty-corner to Église Saint-Sulpice.

But to my surprise, the café latte with a Cantal cheese and butter baguette (pictured, top) wildly surpassed our expectations. Blame the attentive table service, dramatic skies, and the catbird seats under the big awning near a bustling bus stop, but the spontaneous moveable feast was worth every cent, down to the last drop.

While the coffee may have cost a tad more than at cafes located in less touristic areas, it was rich and hot, topped with a thick layer of foam. The substantial sandwich Wen and I shared? It cost just €4, and we sliced it down the middle. Dagwood in Paris experience? Priceless.

Who else found inspiration here? Henry Valentine Miller, Anaïs Nin, and Ernest Hemingway, along with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Saul Bellow, and Djuna Barnes. Let’s also add James Joyce, Samuel Becket, and Jean-Paul Sartre, but don’t forget Albert Camus, Edward Hopper, and Simone de Beauvoir.

Added bonus: After fifteen years of restoration work, the church of Saint-Sulpice across the square recently shed its scaffolding, and the view is once more a beauty.

Sunday night bread line at Le Grenier à Pain

Tip Two
Palace-worthy: Le Grenier à Pain
38, rue des Abbesses, 18th arrondissement (Métro: Abbesses or Pigalle)

Located in Abbesses, this is where I buy most of my baguettes and jambon-fromage sandwiches (ham and cheese with butter). Consistency, friendly customer service, and an eclectic house selection of breads, cakes, and pies are just a few of the Grenier boulangerie’s winning qualities.

Tip: If you spot the sandwich of your dreams but it doesn’t have crudités (lettuce and tomato), just ask, and they’ll happily add it.

Add award-winning to the mix, too. Handsome Boulanger Djibril Bodian won the 2010 “Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française de la Ville de Paris” which not only earned him a sparkly medal and a wad of cash but also earned him the honor of baking bread for the Palais de l’Elysées (the French presidential palace) for one year! The annual award is based on aroma, honeycomb-like interior, and crust (which can never be too thin or too crisp). What makes Bodian’s bread so special? No shortcuts, long fermentation, and a dash of hazelnut!

By the way, the 2011 winner has not been announced yet. Perhaps the President and First Lady don’t want to lose their daily loaf from Le Grenier à Pain? Just guessing. Please stay tuned!

Baguette Thon Crudités Oeufs (tuna, lettuce, tomato and hard-boiled eggs)

Best-dressed list

And how are the baguettes dressed this season? Here are a few of my favorites. Take heed, they are dressed to fill!

Baguette Cantal Beurre (Cantal cheese and butter)

Baguette Jambon Beurre Gruyère (ham, butter and Gruyère cheese)

Baguette Thon Crudités Oeufs (tuna, lettuce, tomato and hard-boiled eggs)

Baguette Salami (salami and butter)

Baguette Poulet Crudités (chicken, lettuce and tomato)

Baguette Paté, Baguette Camembert (Camembert cheese)

Baguette Saucisson Sec (cured sausage)

Your favorite baguettes?

Do you have a favorite baguette sandwich? Share your experience in our comments section. And bon appétit, Cheapos!

The post Paris: The city’s best-dressed baguette sandwiches appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Pastries for breakfast?

That’s right. I’m not talking about the old doughnut and drip coffee ritual (although you can simulate that with a caffe’ americano and a ciambella, if you please) but a nice cornetto (croissant) or sfogliatina (clam-shaped sugary pastry) with fancy foamy cappuccinos.

Yum. Photo: Virytum

For breakfast a cappuccino is the classic choice, however any type of caffe (espresso) without or with milk (macchiato, caffe latte, etc.) is standard fare. Pastries here come in all shapes and sizes with fillings ranging from none (vuoto) to those with cream or chocolate (crema or cioccolato) or yummy marmelades (marmellata). You’ll also find some rice-based pastries that are rich and sugary, but a lighter flavor than regular cream or even ricotta-filled delights.

Where to find breakfast

Your best bet for a good coffee and pastry are in pasticceria (pastry shops), rather than a regular coffee bar. Espresso in Italy is generally good as long as it’s made fresh from a high pressure machine and served scalding hot, although locals analyze and debate the quality of coffee at each bar.

Here are a few places that are centrally located and that offer delicious pastries and coffee. Do note that the standard price for an espresso ranges from 80 cents to €1, so avoid spending too much on this liquid gold and beware of extra charges for sitting down at tables!

Sieni
Via dell’Ariento 29

This pastry shop has a prime location on the corner of the San Lorenzo market and a quiet side street heading towards the train station. It’s renowned for its delicious confections. Offering range from standard croissants and other danishes to cookies, chocolates, cakes and tiramisu, as well as sandwiches for a quick lunch.

Look out for seasonal sweets that are definitely worth the wait. These include the traditional Carnival munchies of cenci (available in February), crispy fried dough covered in powdered sugar, and frittelle di riso, small fried balls of rice pastry with amaretto liqueur.

Corona Cafe
Via Calzaiuoli, 72

Despite its position on the main tourist and shopping thoroughfare of Via Calzaiuoli (leading from the Duomo to Piazza Signoria), the Corona Cafe is not a tourist trap! It’s usually packed and has only a few stools or shelves to rest your goods, but it’s worth any inconvenience. The pastries are incredibly good, especially the chocolate and ricotta sfogliatina. While the coffee isn’t cheap, it’s still affordable for this area.

Caffe’ Alinari
Largo F.lli Alinari 28

Located a few steps from the train station and a hub of bus stops, you’ll find the discreet Caffe’ Alinari bar and pastry shop. The cafe boasts a traditional look, and the delicious pastries are all made fresh on the premises. Considering its proximity to the train station, whether you’re arriving or departing it’s the perfect stop for a quick, filling and sugary breakfast.

American-style savory breakfast

Can’t take that much sugar in the morning? American-style breakfasts are scrambling their way into the Florentine breakfast scene.

One of your best bets for a hearty meal is The Diner on Via dell’Acqua 2, not far from Palazzo Vecchio. This American-themed restaurant offers extensive eggs, pancakes, bagels and breakfast sandwich options.

For something lighter there is Mama’s Bakery in Via della Chiesa 34, across the Arno river. The bakery is a bit of a walk, but it’s worth it for the bagels alone (the best you’ll find in in Florence, although still nothing like H&H Bagels back in New York). Also of note are their yummy muffins.

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1. Falafel in the Marais

It’s a no brainer that I’d always choose to eat before anything else. And with 10 euros I’d definitely head to “L’As du Falafel” in the Marais and grab a falafel sandwich with spicy sauce for just five euros. 34 rue des Rosiers, 75004

2. Splurge on a good bottle of wine

If I was in a really good mood, I’d head to one of my favorite wine shops and grab a special bottle of wine for less than 10 euros. Keep in mind that spending three euros on a bottle of wine at the supermarket is not a stigma when you’re on a budget, and the results are always surprisingly pleasant. For special occasions I head to “le Verre Volé” for something fun in the seven to 10 euro range. 67 rue de Lancry, 75010 OR 38 rue d’Oberkampf, 75010

3. A trip to the catacombs

Studies show that those who live in a city rarely visit its sights, but a 10 euro bill can take you almost anywhere in Paris. A visit to the Catacombes, the underground passageways with artistically arranged medieval bones, is one of the city’s most stunning attractions. Guards check your bag on the way out, so don’t try to steal any femurs. 1 Place Denfert-Rochereau 75014, Web site

4. Hot chocolate at Angelina

Some of the best hot chocolate in Paris can be had for less than 10 euros. With its accompanying bowl of whipped cream, a hot chocolate at Angelina is decadent and delicious, if you can brave the crowd. 226 rue de Rivoli, 75001, Web site

5. Used book and a seat at a cafe

Sitting in a café with a good book is the quintessential Parisian experience. A used book at the Gibert Jeune bookstore will cost just a few euros, even many English books. Just look for the sticker that says “occasion” and you should easily have two euros left for an espresso at any café. Various locations (with yellow awnings) at Place St-Michel, 75005

6. Climbing the towers of Notre Dame

Visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral is free, of course, but climbing the 387 steps to the top of the towers will set you back a few euros. It’s easy to fall in love with Paris as you stand next to a medieval gargoyle looking over the city’s rooftops. 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II, 75004, Web site

7. A tour of the Palais Garnier

Going to Versailles takes time and the train ticket alone costs about 10 euros. When I want a less pricey “regal” experience, I head to the Palais Garnier for a day-time tour of the city’s historic opera house. The late 19th-century gilded wonder leaves both visitors and Parisians floored. 8 Rue Scribe, 75009. Normal admission, €9, Web site

8.Pink Flamingo pizza

A good take-away pizza is hard to find in Paris, but Franco-American pizzeria Pink Flamingo does a fantastic pie. A take-out Dante pizza will cost just €9.50 and is topped with fresh basil and tomato. Flagship location: 67 rue Bichat, 75010, Web site

9. Tickets to the Comédie Française

Whether you speak French or not, going to the theater can be a memorable event. Many rush tickets are available in Parisian theaters; the opulent theater at the Palais Royal is one of the city’s best deals. You can see classic French theater by the prestigious Comédie Française for under €10, if you don’t mind a less-than-perfect seat. Just show up at the theater before the show starts to see what tickets are available. 38 rue de Montpensier, 75001, Web site

10. Splurging at the bakery

Okay, so half of this list is food-related, but if I’m going to splurge I’m going to do it right. An amazing bakery, “Du Pain et Des Idées,” serves up “escargots,” which are essentially pastry swirls. The chocolate pistachio escargot is simply delicious. At just €1.90 each, you can try all of the varieties, if you and your waistline approve. 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010

The post Paris: Top 10 things to do for Less than €10 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s our guide to the boulangerie’s “other” baked goods, thinking beyond the baguette…

More “pain,” all gain

First off, there is much more to French bread (“pain”) than the baguette.

I’m a bit partial to the “tradition,” which is much softer than a baguette and tastes a little like sourdough. There are also “boules,” or round breads, and most boulangeries now offer whole-grain options. You’ll be hard-pressed to find any loaf of French bread that costs more than €2.

Similarly, it’s time to branch out from the standard croissant. Go for broke on the calorie-meter with a “pain au chocolat”, often mistakenly called a “chocolate croissant” in the U.S. (The word “croissant” implies a crescent shape, whereas a “pain au chocolat” tends to be somewhat square.)

Though not as extensive as a “patisserie” (a bakery that specializes in pastries), boulangeries offer a full range of “tartes” and other small pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Lunch to go: Baguette sandwiches, quiches, and more

The boulangerie is a great place to pick up a quick lunch to eat on the go or bring to a picnic.

Small baguette sandwiches are reasonably-priced (around €3-4). A “jambon buerre” (ham with butter) is a pretty standard French option, although you’ll also find sandwiches with “thon” (tuna), “poulet” (chicken), “ouef” (egg), and more.  When the shopkeeper asks if you’d like your sandwich “avec salade,” she wants to know if you’d like one with lettuce and tomato or just the meat.

Other lunch options range from quiche to mini pizza to “croque monsieur” (a ham sandwich with cheese baked on the outside), depending on the bakery.

Formule: Make the most of your lunch money

Most boulangeries offer a “formule,” a lunch special that includes a sandwich, a dessert, and a drink. The price depends on the location and sometimes on the type of sandwich you order. Expect to pay between €5-7 for the meal.

As with all shops in France, the majority of boulangeries will be closed on Sundays, except for in highly touristed areas. If you do find a boulangerie you like open on Sunday, odds are it will be closed if you try to return on Monday.

Tell us!

Do you have a favorite boulangerie in Paris? Or a French bread product you just can’t live without? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post Paris Cheap Eats: Beyond baguettes at the boulangerie appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.