Patisseries in Paris Of course you can enjoy exquisitely crafted patisseries all over France, but Paris is home to many of the country’s best pâtissiers, and many of the individual gateaux have a connection to the city. As you delve into the layers of almond sponge, ganache and buttercream that form the opera cake, you … Read more
Previously sitting down for dinner at 5pm usually meant one of three things. You were going to the theatre. You had a toddler. You were of an age where you had a free bus pass. But now we are becoming a nation of early birds; 5pm is the new 8pm and restaurants are adapting accordingly. … Read more
A good mattress improves your sleep, say mattress makers – and they would, wouldn’t they? But they’re right. The older I get, the more I know it. When I was 20, I could sleep anywhere: a friend’s floor, a filthy sofa – even a phone box one night. These days, I won’t get a single … Read more
A few months ago, I was at a bar and hoped I might be making a new friend. We were sitting next to each other in a booth with a bunch of people. In response to my questions she told me interesting anecdotes about growing up, her job, her husband. After she’d been talking for … Read more
Passionate for fresh seafood, Nice Far away from the tourist traps of the old town, tiny seafood restaurant Coquillages Bouchet on Rue Rusca is a relative newcomer in Nice. Tucked away on a sidestreet near the port, the menu is short and the atmosphere relaxed. The young owners, Nicolas and Hugo, are best friends and … Read more
The prosecution: Elodie The present was a caring gesture whether we liked it or not. Returning it was rude – Max should fess up I think my husband Max has committed a big social faux pas, but he disagrees. He returned a gift – a ceramic bowl – my sister Ruby bought us for our … Read more
During my exchange year at university in Canada, I lived with a few Brazilians and we quickly bonded over our love of food. I’ll never forget the day one of them made me a carrot cake; he couldn’t quite understand the confusion on my face when he presented bright orange slices of cake topped with … Read more
Should I stop having sex with my ex? I recently broke up with someone who is fantastic in bed, and good at the fun stuff, but utterly incompatible with me as a partner. There was a lot of pain involved in finding this out. I’m considering dating again, but haven’t managed to stop having sex … Read more
Sometimes passengers congratulate Maria Pernia-Digings, 61, on her parking. When she tells me this, she tries to laugh it off as a tiny slight, barely worth commenting on. Others don’t bother to hide their shock, and greet her as they leave the plane with blunt amazement: “Oh, you’re a woman!” “It’s lovely. People are very … Read more
May is my favourite month. It looks great, for a start, with the best of the blossom and everyone wreathed in bank holiday smiles. If you’re in the market for a little treat to celebrate, look no further. I’ve got the just-loose-enough new-season jeans and the snap-up-now holiday shoes. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We … Read more