Product Description

Like so many others, David Lebovitz dreamed about living in Paris ever since he first visited the city in the 1980s. Finally, after a nearly two-decade career as a pastry chef and cookbook author, he moved to Paris to start a new life. Having crammed all his worldly belongings into three suitcases, he arrived, hopes high, at his new apartment in the lively Bastille neighborhood.

But he soon discovered it's a different world en France.

From learning the ironclad rules of social conduct to the mysteries of men's footwear, from shopkeepers who work so hard not to sell you anything to the etiquette of working the right way around the cheese plate, here is David's story of how he came to fall in love with—and even understand—this glorious, yet sometimes maddening, city.

When did he realize he had morphed into un vrai parisien? It might have been when he found himself considering a purchase of men's dress socks with cartoon characters on them. Or perhaps the time he went to a bank with 135 euros in hand to make a 134-euro payment, was told the bank had no change that day, and thought it was completely normal. Or when he found himself dressing up to take out the garbage because he had come to accept that in Paris appearances and image mean everything.

The more than fifty original recipes, for dishes both savory and sweet, such as Pork Loin with Brown Sugar–Bourbon Glaze, Braised Turkey in Beaujolais Nouveau with Prunes, Bacon and Bleu Cheese Cake, Chocolate-Coconut Marshmallows, Chocolate Spice Bread, Lemon-Glazed Madeleines, and Mocha–Crème Fraîche Cake, will have readers running to the kitchen once they stop laughing.

The Sweet Life in Paris is a deliciously funny, offbeat, and irreverent look at the city of lights, cheese, chocolate, and other confections.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24606 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-05
• Released on: 2009-05-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

Review
“David Lebovitz is the greatest thing to happen to dessert since the spoon, but this time he shows that beyond his artful nose and flawless taste, he also has a keen reporter’s eye. If Paris intrigues, excites, or merely interests you, read this book.”--Mort Rosenblum, author of The Secret Life of the Seine, A Goose in Toulouse, Olives, and Chocolate: A Bittersweet Story of Dark and Light

“Cooks aren’t usually such good writers—so funny, skeptical, and observant. He’s a wonderful one. Also, I’m a fervent fan of his ice-cream book, so I can’t wait to cook my way through his other recipes.”
—Diane Johnson, author of Le Divorce

About the Author

David Lebovitz lived in San Francisco for twenty years before moving to Paris. He baked at several notable restaurants before starting his career as a cookbook author and food writer. He's the author of four highly regarded books on desserts, and has written for many major food magazines, sharing his well-tested recipes written with a soupçon of humor. His popular, award-winning blog, www.davidlebovitz.com, entertains readers from around the world with sweet and savory recipes as he tries to unravel the complexities of living in Paris.

Customer Reviews

A Parisian Adventure
Great read for Paris lovers. Written with a lot of humour and I am told by a Paris addict that it portrays life in Paris as it really is. Lots of great recipes as well that I can't wait to try. David Lebovitz is a witty and intelligent writer and has scored another hit.

The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City
The title says it all. The author regales us with his (sometimes hilarious) stories of the idiosyncrasies of an American living in Paris. The descriptions of the city are rich - they make you want to go and check out the venues described for yourself. The fabulous recipes at the end of each section are a wonderful bonus. You have to read this book!

The Sweet Life in Paris
An enjoyable book but it is "very light". David has written the book with interest and humor. Inside are recipies which are always fun to try and make the book more interesting. Having encountered the AMAZING city of Paris many times,The Sweet Life in Paris is an enjoyable read, but not a very "exciting" one perhaps due to the writing style. It just doesnt give Paris the descriptive attention it deserves. Hence the three stars.