Paris Shopping Tips: Meet My New Favorite Big Cheese!
By Theadora Brack
With the bright sun in my eyes, here’s a full confession. Lean in as I whisper, see. I’ve got a new favorite cheese in my life. Love is in the air. So grab a ball point pen. Hear my yarn!
Meet Brillat Savarin
Butter. Brillat. Butter. Brillat. That’s what he said.
Thank my cheese monger friend Ishai (extraordinaire!), for introducing us to this very velvety, voluptuous beauty. I’m a fool for fresh salted butter, so for me it was love at first bite. In fact, I squealed. Read my hips. This decadent triple cream cheese from Rouen contains a whopping 75% butterfat and about 40% fat overall.
Yes, this little piggy will be returning to the market for more. Tip! I recommend serving it with a sparkling wine or a palate-cleansing beer. The carbonation will cut the fat, while enhancing its milky mushroom flavor.
Visiting Paris?
Sample Brillat Savarin as a fresh young’un. For the love of cream cheese or ice cream, you won’t be sorry. It tastes buddah!
What’s in a name?
Here are a few historical tidbits to help pump up your plateau de fromages and cocktail party conversation. Created in the 1930s by Henri Androuët, he named the cheese after 18th century French gastronomic guru, Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.
A master of words and cuisine, B-S is responsible for such gems as: “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you who you are” and, “A dessert without cheese is like a beautiful woman with only one eye.” (Huh?)
In the mood for love
Celebrating photographer Denis Manceaux, I’ve also included a few of his fab Marie France covers from the 1950s. His giddy work never fails to lift my spirits.
Pinching from Holly Golightly: If I could find a place to make me feel like the a Manceaux cover, then I’d buy some Ikea furniture and give the cat a name!
Here’s another little secret: I often find stacks of vintage magazines like Marie France, Elle, and Marie Claire at the Porte de Vanves Flea Market for just a few euros of pop. Smooth Sailing!
Looks and sounds devine…………I can almost smell the richness……and nobody likes a beautiful one-eyed woman…..what??!!? Brillant Savarin it will be ………hope I can find it in the culinary desert of Texas! Guess what ……..off to Italy for a week on Saturday! yippee………..wish it was France!
LikeLike
Merci!! Enjoy your globe trekking. Pack your camera!! Again, I’m looking forward to your reports from field, along with your gorgeous photographs. Bon Voyage!! Theadora
LikeLike
Nicely written on two delightful subjects. One can’t find enough topics to describe as ‘giddy’ these days…congrats.
LikeLike
Thank you! I do love the word “giddy.” (I also like “smitten.”)
To spoil antiquities of hammer’d steel,
And turn the giddy round of Fortune’s wheel
—Shakespeare
LikeLike
Mouth watering, I am also a lover of a good salted butter, we used to spread it on traditional NY style ‘crumb buns’, when my familiy woned a delicatessan years ago. I still find myself doing that.
Now I HAVE to go eat something ….
LikeLike
Yes, crumb buns! I’ll have to add them to my New York to-do list. Maybe Katz’s? Now, my mouth is watering! Theadora (Where was the family delicatessen located?)
LikeLike
It was on Long Island in the 60’s. Farmingville when Long Island was still potato farms The baker we used was named Fontanna’s Bakery in Rocky Point, he used to deliver them in bakers trays every couple of days. I can still smell them …
LikeLike
I love the story. Very dreamy! T. (Beautiful area! I have good friends in Smithtown.)
LikeLike
Spent many hours shopping in Smithtown before the malls came to LI. That whole area is beautiful but so over populated now. Like billy Joel says in Downeaster Alexa – there ain’t no Island left for Islanders like me – We left in 1999. How did you end up in France?
LikeLike
“Many’s the long night I’ve dreamed of cheese – toasted, mostly.” (Robert Louis Stevenson)
Lovely jubbley post, T! 🙂
LikeLike
What a dreamy quote!! Thank you! T.
Here’s one of my favorite Julia Child quotes: “If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.”
LikeLike
THAT has got to be my new favourite! Love it! 🙂
LikeLike
Had I spotted John Waters ………….. I do believe he would have had the sense to caste me in some wonderful show!
LikeLike
Absolutely!!! T.
LikeLike
Ah, YUM…to the Brillat Savarin!
And the 50s mag covers? Quite informative. I, myself, remember the 50s here in the states quite well…an awful time, except for the coming of Elvis. US fashion was horrendous…June Cleaver cleaning house while wearing a shirt-waist and pearls. We never did get to meet her hairdresser, did we?
Merci beaucoup, Theadora, pour la poste!
LikeLike
I hear you! But I do adore photographer Denis Manceaux’s work. I love how he plays with light and water. I’m happy to spread the word about him. Stay tuned for more posts about magazine photographers and illustrators. Here’s to another obsession and celebration! Theadora
LikeLike
My Greek relatives would say, “Opa!”.
LikeLike
Oh my, a friend after my own heart. Love, love, love cheese and will have to seek this one out. Brilliant pics, btw and a refreshing and yummy post today!
LikeLike
Thanks, Brigitte! Brillat Savarin really knocked my socks off! I quite surprised. Today I discovered another new favorite. It’s orange. It’s sweet. And it’s spectacular! Theadora
LikeLike
My mouth is watering! I doubt if I could get this in New York, and even if I could, it would not taste the same. 😦
LikeLike
Give it a shot! Maybe Dean & Deluca or Whole Foods carries it? It’s worth the trek and quest! Theadora
LikeLike
This looks so wonderful Theadora! There is nothing better than opening my reader to a giant picture of yummy cheese! xo!
LikeLike
Thanks, Shira! Reviewing cheese is dangerous. I think I now have a new category for the site! Theadora
LikeLike
Oh my giddy aunt! That sounds divine.
Love the B-S quotes too- might try to start a clairvoyant career with the tell me what you eat thing. It’s so true!
LikeLike
Oh, yes. That B-S was a character! His Physiologie du goût (The Physiology of Taste) was published in December 1825. It is still in print! Amazon.com even stocks it! Theadora
Here’s another B-S quote for the road.
“A man who was fond of wine was offered some grapes at dessert after dinner. ‘Much obliged,’ said he, pushing the plate aside, ‘I am not accustomed to take my wine in pills.'”
LikeLike
Is the goat in the Marie France cover photo giving us a hint that the cheese is goat?
LikeLike
Hi Anita! Brillat-Savarin is a soft cow’s milk cheese. Moo-hoo! Theadora
LikeLike
I love brie.
And I am sure I am going to love this triple cream Brillat Savarin!!!
OMG, France has the best cheese in the world!!!!
I always wanted to visit Rouen too.
Maybe next time I can visit the town and sample their best cheese. 🙂
LikeLike
Dear London Caller, If you love Brie, you’ll adore the triple-cream Brillat-Savarin. Let the fromage tour begin!! Theadora
LikeLike
Your post makes me want to eat cheese! Can’t get that lovely looking stuff here. Have to settle for cheddar! Great post, as always! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Jessica! I’m a huge fan of sharp cheddar. Like a little black dress, it suits every occasion, day to night! Theadora
LikeLike
Oooo…I love cheese. My mouth is watering.
LikeLike
Oooh, merci!! Theadora (I’ve been enjoying your “50 Year Project” work. I loved the lion king by the water shot. Beautiful!)
LikeLike
I love butter! I’m making a list of all the wonderful things you bring up in your posts so that I won’t forget to do them all when I get out there again. I’d love to feel like these Manceaux covers. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Sheila, What kind words!! Theadora (I also love the cover shots. I’ve officially started collected magazines, featuring the fab work Denis Manceaux. Another day! Another obsession!)
LikeLike
Be still my beating heart – cheese from heaven. The retro photographs are fab. Virginia
LikeLike
Thanks, Virginia! I also dig the photographer’s eye. It’s very playful! Theadora (By the way, my sister found a set of pink lights. Oh, la ha!)
LikeLike
i like giddy and smitten, too, but i think brillat savarin is better than both! 🙂
LikeLike
I agree!! Saint-Nectaire and Cantal are my other favorites. Let’s not forget Comté! Theadora
LikeLike
Our absolutely favourite cheese too! Wouldn’t be seen out without a goat kid either 😉
LikeLike
Oh, yes! I ordered my little goat last week! Theadora (Have you tried Saint-Nectaire? It’s also in the creamy family!)
LikeLike
Deeeeeeeeliiiiiiciiiiioussssss!
LikeLike
Mer~sea, Lost in Town!! Theadora
LikeLike
So surreal, those old magazines. Were things really that happy, that innocent, that brightly colored? Waah! I want to go back! Except not back to 1950s dentistry or untreated city water–the present-day age does have a few good things about it, I guess. Not least is good internet connections with the chance to see things like this. Thank you!
LikeLike
Some special atmosphere about those old magazines. Now a pity that you have thrown away so many goldcorns! Ann
LikeLike
Thanks, Ann! I agree. I’ve now started collecting photographer Denis Manceaux’s work. I’ll post the stunners! Theadora
LikeLike
I *really* want some cheese now! And, love the photos!
X
BD
LikeLike
Cheese is my passion, seriously, and french cheese is the apotheosis! Love, love, love your blog – keep it coming!
LikeLike
Sounds yummy! Although I eat mostly vegan, I break (yes, correct spelling) for a great cheese, since there are no good vegan substitutes. You need to get over to Cleveland and come by the farmers market so I can give you samples of the cheese I help sell there, amazing chevres from Mackenzie Creamery, http://www.mackenziecreamery.com/. The new Baby Buche (aged lightly) is so amazing and compares to many chevres I’ve had in Provence. (I can even offer you a place to stay. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for letting me camp out in your blog for a little while. I had a great time and tried to leave my campsite as clean as when I arrived. I’ll be back!
LikeLike
Thanks for the visit. Thanks taking the time to clean your campsite. What a nifty, spiffy job! I appreciate it. And yes, we will return your deposit at earliest whimsy!! Theadora (I’ve been digging, digging your fabulous photo site, by the way. Bravo!!)
LikeLike
Yeah! I get my deposit back! I can buy more plants!
LikeLike
Tee-hee. Absolutely!! T.
LikeLike