STIR THE POTS

Whole food shoppers! David Lebovitz in the butter aisle!

What other blogger could talk about butter, joke about man-purses, give wonderful advice on ice cream and just generally be a really nice person? David Lebovitz of course! Today I was in despair as the Mets petered out of the season and my vollkorn bread was just as horrid! So I rushed off to the city to meet David at City Bakery. While my  I-Pod was belting out tunes in my ear on my walk from the train at  Union Square I realized I had completly forgotten where City Bakery was! I asked directions and found myself only a block and a half away! A sign that I was close was Maury Rubin walking by and a sign on the scaffolding above on 18th street. I made my way up from the entrance where the sign indicated a book signing on the mezzanine, I got to the top and there was David! I felt like a blushing teenage groupie, pulled out my digital for a snap, how rude! David sounded just like he did when I talked to him and I couldn't wait to say hello! Just when I thought I was next some bearded fellow with pierced ears and a man-purse just cut in front! Scuse me, I was next I thought? So I went and purchased a book, he already had one in that bag of his! Another two people in line in front of me, finally a cute girl was talking on and on so David sweetly sent her off, he was here to sign books! He said hello and sort of hesitated for a minute but recognized me! We chatted and he signed my book with a sharpie, asking me again how to spell my name. He told me to help myself to some Baileys but I excused myself so I could catch the last bit of the baseball game and shove my bread in the oven!
Thanks David for all your good work and that interview you did with me. Oh yeah, the Mets lost, but the bread was fabulous!

Eric Girerd

So who doesn't like....no, love chocolate?
Xocolatl was a gift from the gods, handed down to the Aztecs who in turn were so kind to let some French guy's turn it into one of the world most desired commodities; some would compare it to blood diamonds the way it sells on the market today! My friend Eric, who I met when purchasing his own flavor laden chocolates has succumbed to my request to enlighten me and the rest of the world of this cherished pod! Recently moving his  laboratoire in Brooklyn to New Jersey made it a journey for me,but I knew this third generation chocolatier wouldn't let me down.Sure we can say he is Monsieur chocolat, who wouldn't with the likes of curry or ylang ylang ganache bursting from the morsel of hand dipped chocolates. Sure he feeds me with chocolates but I think of Eric like Luke Skywalker and Yoda, he is like a chocolate Jedi Knight passing the force, a mentor.The edit was a bit abrupt on this interview even though Eric and I continued on after the interview talking, my broken French and his great stories.....you can be sure I will be back for some chats, oh yeah and some chocolat!

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