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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food
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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food Hardcover - 2017

by David Downie


From the publisher

A Taste of Paris is a delectable culinary history of the gastronomic capital of the world, written by David Downie, the critically acclaimed author of Paris, Paris and A Passion for Paris. "A joyous romp through time . . . The streets and tables of Paris will never be the same and I could not be more grateful." --Alice Waters

In his trademark witty and informative style, David Downie embarks on a quest to discover "What is it about the history of Paris that has made it a food lover's paradise?" Long before Marie Antoinette said, "Let them eat cake!" (actually, it was brioche), the Romans of Paris devoured foie gras, and live oysters rushed in from the Atlantic; one Medieval cookbook describes a thirty-two part meal featuring hare stew, eel soup, and honeyed wine; during the last great banquet at Versailles a year before the Revolution the gourmand Louis XVI savored thirty-two main dishes and sixteen desserts; yet, in 1812, Grimod de la Reynire, the father of French gastronomy, regaled guests with fifty-two courses, fifteen wines, three types of coffee, and seventeen liqueurs. Following the contours of history and the geography of the city, Downie sweeps readers on an insider's gourmet walking tour of Paris and its environs in A Taste of Paris, revealing the locations of Roman butcher shops, classic Belle Epoque bistros serving diners today and Marie Antoinette's exquisite vegetable garden that still supplies produce, no longer to the unfortunate queen, but to the legendary Alain Ducasse and his stylish restaurant inside the palace of Versailles. Along the way, readers learn why the rich culinary heritage of France still makes Paris the ultimate arbiter in the world of food.

Details

  • Title A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food
  • Author David Downie
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Pages 304
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher St. Martin's Press
  • Date 2017-09
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Dust Cover, Illustrated
  • ISBN 9781250082930 / 1250082935
  • Weight 1.05 lbs (0.48 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.2 in (23.62 x 15.49 x 3.05 cm)
  • Themes
    • Cultural Region: French
  • Library of Congress subjects Paris (France) - Description and travel, Gastronomy - France
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2017018869
  • Dewey Decimal Code 394.120

Media reviews

Citations

  • Booklist, 08/01/2017, Page 16
  • Kirkus Reviews, 07/01/2017, Page 0
  • Library Journal, 08/01/2017, Page 0
  • Publishers Weekly, 10/16/2017, Page 0

About the author

DAVID DOWNIE, a native San Franciscan, lived in New York, Providence, Rome and Milan before moving to Paris in the mid-80s. He divides his time between France and Italy. His travel, food and arts features have appeared in leading print and on-line publications including Bon Apptit, Gourmet, Saveur, Epicurious.com, and Gault & Millau, the premier French food guide. He is the author of over a dozen nonfiction books, including the highly acclaimed Paris, Paris and A Passion for Paris.
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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food
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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

by Downie, David

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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

by Downie, David

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A Taste of Paris : A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

A Taste of Paris : A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

by David Downie

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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

by Downie, David

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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

by Downie, David

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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

by Downie, David

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A Taste of Paris : A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food
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A Taste of Paris : A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

by Downie, David

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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food
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A Taste of Paris: A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

by Downie, David

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A Taste of Paris : A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food
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A Taste of Paris : A History of the Parisian Love Affair with Food

by Downie, David

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ISBN 13
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ISBN 10
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