Paris in a Basket: Markets in Paris (Cookery/Food and Drink) [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Nicolle Aimee Meyer (Author), Amanda Pilar Smith (Author), Paul Bocuse (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Cookery/Food and Drink | Publication Date: April 2000

"Paris in a Basket" is the first in a series of books dedicated to exploring the food markets of the world. Entertaining as well as informative, this attractive hardcover book guides the reader through the over 80 food markets of Paris. Written and photographed by two young American women, "Paris in a Basket" is a complete and novel tour that brings to exuberant life the authentic market culture, traditions, and lifestyle that bewitch every food lover and traveler visiting this magnificent city.

Over 400 vivid photographs illustrate the colors and sights and a fresh and personal narrative captures the unique atmosphere of each and every market and the different areas of Paris. Punctuated with historical tidbits and charming anecdotes, in addition to 65 of the vendors favorite recipes, there are insightful portraits, helpful cooking tips, practical maps and charts, and the addresses of tempting bakeries, mouthwatering specialty shops, neighborhood restaurants, local cafs, and hidden places of interest.

The world renowned chef Paul Bocuse, who shares with the authors a passion for open-air markets, has written the foreword to "Paris in a Basket".

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Both long time residents of Paris, Nicolle and Amanda met and teamed up for their first joint project. Sharing a mutual passion for food and memorable moments spent at markets around the world, for well over a year, they bicycled to every corner of the city, to mingle with the shoppers and vendors, and document market life.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Konemann; illustrated edition edition (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3829046243
• ISBN-13: 978-3829046244
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #982,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reader from Paris-France, May 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Paris in a Basket: Markets in Paris (Cookery/Food and Drink) (Hardcover)

Yes,indeed Amanda & Nicolle really did it! Their superbly documented book (photos,history, recipes...)shows how much one can discover about his home town. You lover of Paris,open air markets and food do not hesitate a minute,get this book,it's pure delight! And you,who might not belong to one of the categories do likewise you will not regret it! While reading the book you have this unique feeling to be walking the streets of Paris with the authors. And you lucky traveller who might be coming through town in not to a distant future,take the book with you,go and see the places,the markets, taste the food,chat with the vendors,and you will marvel at the fact that you have been there before. Because nothing is missing in that book,the true feeling of the city,the noises,the colors and even the tastes and odors. Two thumbs up Amanda & Nicolle ! Where and when the next one ?

A fan (if you did not guess ! )

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely gem of a book, July 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Paris in a Basket: Markets in Paris (Cookery/Food and Drink) (Hardcover)

I love this book! The cover roped me right in and before I knew it I was buying it. I am so glad I did. The book is organized by arrondissement; each chapter is devoted to one of them. They tend to focus on the biggest or best market in each arrondissement but they devote paragraphs to the others. The text itself is gracefully written and yet very convivial. For each of the main markets, the authors start you out on a typical Parisian morning and gently suggest the path you might want to follow as you navigate that particular market; it is almost as though they are walking along with you. They tell you what's available at each market and what are each market's strengths and weaknesses. You will be introduced to a lot of people - the butcher at the Marché d'Aligre, the poissonier at the Richard Lenoir, the organic farmer at the Batignolles market, the interesting old fellow who hawks bath salts as he soaks his feet in green water... I feel as though I'd be able to walk up to them and say hi. There's some history mixed in there, too, so you'll get to see some nice old photos and learn about everday Parisians of the past. And of course there are the recipes. Most of them appear delicious and a few rather exotic. Many of them come from the very people that you "met" in the chapter preceding, so you know they're authentic and the human element makes you want to try the recipe all the more.

I love Paris. This book really gives you a sense of what it is like to be there - colorful, vibrant, stately, modern, classic, young, old... Paris is all of these things and more at once. I went there seven years ago and I don't think I hit a single market. This book makes me feel incredibly well-equipped; I think that without it I would feel a bit intimidated. I plan to go back and I'm gonna bring this book with me!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Christmas Gift!, October 31, 2000

By 

"meixin620" (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paris in a Basket: Markets in Paris (Cookery/Food and Drink) (Hardcover)

Beautiful photography and lively writing make this a perfect gift this holiday season (or any time) for anyone who likes to eat and loves Paris. Even for a longtime resident of the City of Lights like myself, this book brings another Paris to life, one you will want to explore again and again, in these pages and of course like the authors did themselves, bicycling through every arrodisement, leaving no quartier unvisited, no fromage untasted, no croissant unfinished! A magnificent and original hommage sure to earn its place among the classics of cuisine and travel.