Paris: It’s coffee-time # 1 –
Cafe Verlet. This is where the Parisian
connoisseurs go to buy and grind their coffee beans, it is also the place where
Michelin star chefs go to get theirs, like Alain Passard and Pierre Gagnaire. Founded
in 1880, Cafe Verlet on the trendy Rue Saint Honore is the perfect stop for a
great espresso or a choice of about fifty teas, ranging from classic, to
flavored, as well as, some rare green and white teas from the orient.
Café Verlet. The Café Verlet as seen from the upstairs
tearoom. The owner Eric Duchossoy bought
the business from Pierre Verlet grandson of the founder. He is an extraordinary roaster of coffees and
his knowledge of the plantations he buys his gourmet coffee from is unique,
extending even to the names of the owners themselves. The Café Verlet also offers
a small lunch and pastry menu.
Café Verlet. A detail of the wall of tea
caddies. They contain some of the most
rare and delicious teas. We had a pot of
Magie Blanche; white tea laced with rose flowers and scented with apricot, passion fruit and peach.
Paris It’s teatime # 2. Situated in the Venetian countryside, Relais et Chateaux Villa Abbazia owner, Ivana de Marchi Zanon stopped for a complete
English Tea at the Relais et Chateaux Hotel Daniel in Paris. The luxurious tea was
beautifully served on a crisp white
tablecloth in the charming and cozy Chinoiserie inspired hall. It consisted of smoked salmon, chicken and
cheese mini sandwiches, English scones, complete with clotted cream, a
selection of jams and slices of lemon sponge cake.
The Mariage Freres tea was served in
a 1940’s silver teapot.