Written Word: Food- Sweet Tooth

As a child, I was never much of a fan of desserts or candy. All the patisseries and confections always seemed over-sweetened, rich, blend and a forgettable part of a meal for me. That was until I went to Paris, where FOOD is an ART form and an integral part of one's LIFESTYLE.

These are some of my favorite Patisseries, whose delicacies are simply ORGASMIC and will satisfy any sweet tooth:

FAUCHON was founded by Auguste Fauchon in 1886 and is located 26 Place de la Madeleine . Each delectable produce, notably the pastries, is a CELEBRATION for the senses where shapes, textures, taste and color will leave you YEARNING for more. Not too sweet, Never Blend every bite is perfection! It is divided into three divisions that include an épicerie (for jams, crackers, pastas, and exotic canned goods), a pâtissier (for breads, pastries, and chocolates), and a traiteur (for cheeses, terrines, pâtés, caviar, and fruits). On the same premises, Fauchon has a restaurant, BRASSERIE FAUCHON, and a tea salon, which showcases the pastry-making talents of its chefs. Among my favorites are the Caramel Eclairs, known for their artistic icing decor, they are loaded with light pastry cream, gentle butter cream, and capped with melting caramel.

http://www.fauchon.com/

26 Place Madeleine
75008 Paris, France

Caramel Eclair

Tarts and Cakes

Cheese Cakes

'Spring' Eclairs

PIERRE HERME, has been dubbed the Picasso of Pastry by Vogue, the Kitchen Emperor by New York Times and the King of Patisserie by the Guardian. He founded his company first in Japan in 1998 and then opened in Paris in 2001. It seemed a lot a fluff to me. But at the sight of line around the block from his shop at 72, Rue de Bonaparte, I knew that there was something to the hype. Known for his 'adult macarons' notoriously BOLD flavor combinations such as chocolate & froie gras, I took a bite at a chocolate mousse and passion fruit SENSUOUS delicacy and found myself in PURE ecstasy. Pierre Herme is renowned as a patisserie and chocolaterie that is a leader in its MASTERY of world flavors.

http://www.pierreherme.com/?cwsid=9806ph0A000108ph1935925

72 Rue Bonaparte

75006 Paris, France

185 rue de Vaugirard

75015 Paris, France

Chocolate Confections

Cake and Macorons

Miniature Bites

Macarons Selections

Raspberry Delight

Dessert Confections

LADUREE founded in 1862 by Louis Ernest Laduree is a historical Parisian tea salon. Ladurée offers some of the city's most luscious pastries imaginable, but their Macaroons are the holy grail, and they come in a dozen flavors.