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We’re buckling down for a heatwave that’s on its way, with temperatures heading up to 40ºC (104ºF). Fortunately I’ve got a small stockpile of fans I’ve been collecting over the years, and few bottles of rosé in the refrigerator. (And my refrigerator actually has an ice-maker.) I sometimes bring a bag as a host gift when invited for dinner…but this week, I’m saving them all for myself. In the meantime, here are some fun links I’ve enjoyed lately:

– Adam, the Amateur Gourmet, puts on his blogging shoes after an absence for the One Mac and Cheese to Rule Them All.

– The end of paper tickets on the Paris métro. (Who else remembers the turquoise and purple ones? And when they had first-class cars?)

– My next book is already available for pre-order!

– I’m interviewed, and in the spotlight, at She Knows media.

– Is wine in kegs coming? (Personally, I hope so. Maybe it’ll prod more restaurants in the U.S. to offer more affordable wines by the glass and carafe.)

– What it’s like to judge the Best Baguette in Paris annual competition. (Spoiler: I judged a chocolate competition once and after the 5th or 6th samples, it was harder to discern any differences.)

– Listen as I chat with Brian Hart Hoffman on the Bakefeed podcast.

– I met up with Deb this weekend and shared a burrata with her in Paris. (She makes a good one at home, too.)

– The city of Paris has designated a rue in every arrondissement as a rue sans mégots, a no-cigarette-butt (on the ground) street.

– Follow Ina.fr on Instagram for great glimpses into French life from the past (even if you don’t speak French) – the one from when the mini-jupe, or mini-skirt, was introduced in Paris in 1966, is definitely from another era, as is this less eyebrow-raising one of bistro life in 1978.

– James Corden takes over the crosswalks of Paris, to the music of Les Misérables.

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20 comments

    • Brenda Pawloski

    The chilled rose’ sounds lovely but have you no central air or even a window unit? That sounds dangerously hot!

      • David
      David Lebovitz

      Yes, it can be. A sizable number of people passed away in the heatwave of 2003. (France24 says between 15-19k.) So they do recommend that people – especially the elderly – find an air-conditioned place when it gets very hot. But few people have it at home and many public places, and public transit, aren’t air-conditioned.

        • Prom Gal

        If 19,000+ people died in 2003 that constitutes a national health emergency! It’s hard to believe that a rich, modern, first world country like France hasn’t improved in 15 years. It is difficult to comprehend.
        People should not allow politics to stand in the way of saving lives.

          • David
          David Lebovitz

          I think people do overuse air-conditioning in some places (I remember it being freezing cold in the movie theatre in Hawaii, and shivering) but in some cases, it literally saves lives, as it would have in France during that heatwave.

          It often gets pointed out that air-conditioning isn’t ecological, but neither are cars, airplanes, clothes dryers, etc., but people use them for convenience. Using an air-conditioning in extreme temperatures can mean the difference between life and death and the city of Paris recommends elderly people and others who may adversely feel the effects of the heat, spend time in air-conditioned places.

        • Brenda Pawloski

        I’m so sorry to hear that! If it is legal to install a ductless mini split, they are relatively inexpensive to install and pretty effective and efficient. We first saw them outside the US and recently had one installed here. I hope you have cooler days very soon.

          • jan

          Right? Why suffer?? Your health and well-being is worth the money especially as we get older.

          • jan

          Having lived in the literal swamp that is Washington DC for 10 summers without AC, (years ago), I can attest to the fact that fans are ineffective after a certain point and all the wet sheet and misting tricks just become silly torture when you can afford some sort of AC.

    • Carla west

    A suggestion to keep cool….wear something damp. Growing up in the FL Keys before AC, we always wore damp clothing (tshirt, shorts, bathing suit). In older greenhouses, they do something similar with a damp pad in front of a big fan. For a quick fix, put a damp wash cloth or kerchief around your neck.

      • David
      David Lebovitz

      When I was a line cook we used to wrap cold towels around our neck…which helps!

      • Carol gillott

      Thank you Carla!
      This really works…almost chilly when you 1st put on the wet t-shirt but I slept like a baby 2 nights in a row with your trick. I’m on the hot top floor so very much obliged.

    • Ellen A.

    Please do a post on Paris restaurants with real air-conditioning, or terrasses that are reliably cool after 9:00 pm at least. We’re dyin’ out here!

    • Bob

    My wife and I were pleasantly surprised when a restaurant in Bologna served sparkling wine as one of the house options by the carafe. We typically get a carafe of house wine while traveling in Europe, but one night in particular we ordered a bottle. When my wife entered it into her app to track what we like, the app showed a retail price of more than what we paid in the restaurant. Along with wine, we pay far too much for bread and coffee.

    • Cyndy

    Our local hotel introduced me to a wonderful rosé, L’inattendu de Savignac. It’s from Julien de Savignac, which has a location in Paris. https://www.julien-de-savignac.com/fr/

    It is very light–not too sweet/not too dry, and perfect for a hot day. Julien has a location in Le Bugue (la Dordogne), which is well worth the half-hour+ trip for us.

    • Gavrielle

    The mini-jupe link! OMG! These days it’s easy to feel that humanity is devolving, so it’s good to see a reminder that in some areas at least we’ve made progress.

      • David
      David Lebovitz

      Yes, those films really are something to watch nowadays, contrasting what was acceptable (and even encouraged) years ago, with today.

    • Lydia

    I *love* Les Mis (am currently watching the 25th anniversary concert I recorded off PBS, actually) and I love Crosswalk Musical, so thanks for the link!

    • Sylla

    Wine in kegs has been around for a few years in Oregon. Several local (McMinnville – wine country) restaurants have rotating “taps” like a brewpub and some higher-end grocery stores (New Seasons – the Oregon version of Whole Foods) has kegs in their bulk section! You can get bulk sugar, nuts, and a nice local pinot!

    • michelle sims, steven jenkins

    david, please look at oliveoiljones.com. we, steve and michelle, have turned SO many people on to you. steve is the first american maitre-fromager (guilde de st.-uguzon) and is merite agricole de france, rare for a non-importer of wine.

    • Jenny Maria Thers Ree

    L’Appart is on sale on iBooks (at least in Denmark) :-)
    wine in kegs only go for it when it is local is my advice – in Denmark, you only find it in Chinese restaurants and other places where only students come.

A

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