Epicerie - Saveurs d'Alsace

Mardi 5 Fevrier Epicerie - Saveurs d'Alsace

Who hasn't heard of La Grande Epicerie at Bon Marche? Yet there are loads of tiny specialist epiceries (grocery stores) all over Paris full of surprises.

On Sunday I decided I should walk on the opposite side of the street and discovered this adorable tiny shop.

As soon as I spotted these 'etoile'/star cookies sitting in a basket outside I was toast. Like a magnet they drew me inside in a trance.These are a kind of pain d'epice but more cinnomon than honey and out of this world delish. Definitely in the same cookie famille with Speculoos and gingerbread. My Alsacian boulangerie had them for Christmas and then one day they were gone from the window never to return till the following Christmas = a tragedie.

In my trance-like state I idiotically asked the propriatoress,

"Oh are all your things from Alsace?"

Etoile cookies will do that to you.

I spotted the home-made jams and thought,
"Now here's something that may last more than an hour..."
So I bought apricot with little slivers of almonds called eclat. Miam. Of course the jam is practically gone. It's extremely easy to eat with a spoon straight out of the jar ahem.

I was smitten too with the traditional Alsacian jacquards and red checked fabrics...

This playful wooden toy reminded me of the Andre Helle collection from the day before...

As I was leaving the owner handed me a leaflet on Lips of Gertwiller - now the capitol of Pain d'Epice.

After looking them up this morning, if I weren't stuck in New York I'd be on the next train to Alsace and the museum of pain d'epice!

Do stop in  Epicerie - Saveurs d'Alsace but not all at once. This shop is the size of a peanut.

81, Bd de Grenelle 75015 Metro La Motte-Picquet

And watch the fun video on how they make Pain d'Epice.