Forget The Fashion: How To Eat Like Emily In Paris
Netflix's hit new series made us crave croissants, Parisian-style steak, crépes and more
Netflix’s new hit, Emily in Paris, has been roundly criticized for its very clichéd view of Paris, including in its presentation of the food. Do the French always want their meat rare? Is the customer never right? Is coffee and croissant the national breakfast? Non, say the French. It doesn't matter, however, as we are enamored by this peek into the kind of experiences we’d love to have. We know it's clichéd, but who would refuse a chance to travel to Paris, sip wine by the sidewalk, fall in love with a stranger (preferably while visiting a wine chateau)? Yes, we definitely wouldn’t mind being Emily, eating her way through the best Paris has to offer. It is a vicarious pleasure simply to watch her.
But why should we just watch? We thought: since we can't go to Paris right now, why not bring Paris and it’s delicious pleasures to us? So we chose our favorite food scenes in Emily in Paris, and we're sharing our suggestions for how you can replicate them at home. Click through the gallery below and bon appetit.
Bon appetit!
Bon appetit!
Pain Au Chocolat
On her first morning in Paris, Emily indulges in the quintessential Parisian breakfast of coffee with pain au chocolat (aka chocolate croissant). Paris has the best croissants in the world, and you will know this without doubt at the very first bite — the feeling of warm, slightly yeasty pastry dissolving into a bittersweet chocolate in your mouth is the most sensuous way to wake up in the morning. Perfectly flaky and buttery, a classic croissant is crescent-shaped, while a chocolate croissant is often a cuboid pastry with a dark chocolate center.
Photo Credit: Netflix
Salted Egg Croissants from Paris Délice
It used to be impossible to get authentic French croissants in Manila; bakers could not achieve the perfect dough due to differences in temperature and humidity. Paris Délice solved the problem by flying in breads and pastries directly from Paris. The Pain Au Chocolat is superb. We think you’ll love their new creations, too, like these Salted Egg Croissants with its on-point balance of flavors. Order online at www.parisdelice.com.ph, send a message to (0999) 337-0708 or (0915) 906-2083, or @parisdeliceph on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @parisdeliceph
Ube Croissants by Eric Kayser
Made with pure French butter swathing its delicate pastry layers and perfect lamination, Eric Kayser’s croissants are the stuff of dreams. We adore their almond and chocolate croissants, but the newest iteration is just as intriguing. Imagine the classic Good Shepherd’s ube sitting between layers of flaky croissant dough. Irresistible. Order online at www.erickayser.ph, Viber (0956) 799-2481 or (0917) 329-9425, send a message to @erickayserph on Facebook or Instagram. You may also order through @coop.grocer, GrabFood, FoodPanda, or MetroMart.
Photo Credit: @erickayserph
Ready-To-Bake Small Butter and Chocolate Croissants
There’s nothing like the aroma of freshly baked bread lingering in your kitchen. If you don’t have the baking skills or you’re too pressed for time, order a batch of ParBaked’s frozen croissants. These have been partially-baked then frozen, so all you have to do is pop them in the oven to finish the baking. Don’t worry! Baking instructions are delivered with each batch of frozen croissants. Order from @parbaked.ph on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @parbaked.ph
Steak in a Parisian bistro
Is there a more classic meal to have in Paris? Emily’s first dinner date with new best friend Mindy (Ashley Park) is set in the most charming, tiny bistro. Naturellement, Emily orders her steak well done, then sends it back when it arrives medium-rare. “In America, the customer is always right,” she declares. “Here, the customer is never right,” says Mindy. But the chef turns out to be her handsome neighbor Gabriel, who returns the steak untouched and tells Emily to give it a try. It’s wonderfully tender, as Parisian bistro steak ought to be. And we think Emily is officially in love (with the steak and with Gabriel). We warned you about spoilers, didn’t we?
Photo Credit: Netflix
D.I.Y. Steak from Rare Food Shop
Right now, we are imagining an early evening stroll through the charming streets of Paris to claim a cozy table at our favorite bistro. And on the menu, a classic Parisian steak, tender and juicy, with a glass of wine and a little plate of potato frites. While we can’t travel at the moment, it’s still possible to recreate this menu at home. The secret to the exquisite flavors of bistro steak is the quality of the meat. Order a bistro-calber steak from Rare Food Shop, which carries an impressive range of beef, including Japanese Wagyu, U.S. Angus Beef, Black Onyx Australian Angus. They do same-day deliveries and there is no minimum order. Order online at rarefoodshop.com and follow @rarefoodshop on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @rarefoodshop
Dine in at Mirèio, Raffles Makati
For an elegant steak dinner with a selection of exquisite French wines, arrange to dine at Mirèio, the charming Provençal brasserie on the ninth floor of Raffles Makati. The menu includes this Australian pan-seared, grass-fed beef tenderloin with homemade truffle and potato gnocchi. Revel in the well-being that comes from being well cared for. Make a reservation at (02) 8555-9777, or click on the booking link on @mireioatraffles on Instagram or Facebook.
Photo Credit: @mireioatraffles
The Steak Kit from Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
The coolest steak kit in town, every box contains 700g USDA Prime dry-aged t-bone steak, housemade bread, 2 frozen pieces of Wolfgang’s Canadian bacon (yum!), mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, sauce, salt, and your choice of cocktail (negroni, Manhattan, or the old-fashioned). Every box comes with very specific instructions for preparing the steak, as well as how to cook the side dishes and how best to store. Send this kit as a gift, or schedule a steak cook-off with friends while you Zoom. Order online at delivery.wolfgangssteakhouse.ph, and follow @wolfgangssteakhouseph on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @wolfgangssteakhouseph
Romantic French Crépes
Crépes are a supporting character in this show, but our favorite crépe moment comes after Emily's had a stressful night babysitting and then chasing after a bratty American movie star. She finds Gabriel waiting for her on the sidewalk like a “knight in shining armor.” He invites her to climb aboard his scooter and go to Montmartre where they can have crépes at an outdoor stand while watching the sunrise. But Emily refuses because she likes him too much. “I’m not somebody who can share a crépe,” she says. “I need the whole crépe.” You know what? So do we.
Photo Credit: Netflix
Sweet Crépes at Ça Va?
To eat crépes in Paris is undoubtedly one of the most touristy things to do — and we don’t care! Crépes are our happiest dreams taking the form of dessert, and you can have your fix right here in Manila. Simply look up @cavapodium and choose from their menu of sweet and savory crépes. This one, called Mangoin’ Home, has ripe mangoes, vanilla ice cream, butterscotch and cream. We particularly love Burn, a sweet surprise of torched bananas, dark chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Order from @cavapodium on Instagram or Facebook, or call (02) 8281-6091, (0915) 447-4227.
Photo Credit: @cavapodium
Savory Crépes, Anyone?
Sweet crépes are delightful, but savory crépes are fabulous, too. This Run Forest Run crépe with its forest or turkey ham, egg and Swiss cheese is a crowd favorite. Ça Va?’s trio of savory crépes will make great breakfast options. Order from @cavapodium on Instagram or Facebook, or call (02) 8281-6091, (0915) 447-4227.
Photo Credit: @cavapodium
Créme Brûlée In Bed
When what promised to be a triumphant evening turned into a big disaster, Emily’s VIP client, Pierre Cadeau, consoles himself by lying in bed swathed in a silk bathrobe, with a tray of créme brûlée. He’s cracking open the tops of the créme brûlée with a tiny silver spoon, because nothing is more calming than the sound of sugar breaking.
Photo Credit: Netflix
Meet The Crépe Brûlée!
With its vanilla bean, burnt sugar, and sweet creamy center, the créme brûlee is one of the most irresistible desserts of all time. But we found an amazing dessert that combines créme brûlée with the crépe. Meet the Crépe Brûlée — layers of freshly made crépes cloaked in velvety custard, topped with a glassy layer of torched sugar. A heavenly balance of sweet and creamy, lightness and crunch. Order from @cavapodium on Instagram or Facebook, or call (02) 8281-6091, (0915) 447-4227.
Photo Credit: @cavapodium
