Friday Discoveries

A typical weekend usually begins on Friday, because my partner in crime and I both have the day off. It's our tradition to cycle over to our favorite vegetarian Indian cafe (Sangeetha), fill up on utthapam, vada, and idli, then pedal to the forest for a nature fix, or do the thrift-store circuit, or maybe head over to La Peniche Antipode to sip un verre on the water as the funny tourist boats float by on the Canal de l'Ourcq.

This past Friday unfolded in a similar fashion, only before we rolled off toward the Canal, we swung by rue Cail to pick up a few supplies from one of the Indian markets we frequent there. On the to-purchase list: Fresh turmeric for my morning juice (I felt some cold-cooties coming on and it helps boost immunity) and chickpea flour (I'm working on a socca recipe). Before we could get to VT Cash & Carry, another Cash & Carry caught my eye.

Krishna Bhavan Cash & Carry is a lot like the other Cash & Carry shops in this part of town, but with one special distinction: No meat! And barely any dairy. The owner came by while I was milling about the small space and explained that they are "98 percent vegan, because then everyone can eat everything!" (I like the way you think, mister!) Prices were good, the produce looked fresh, and they had some interesting products I've not seen before, such as packaged vegan smoothies made with coconut milk.

After a chat, we said our farewells and headed off to have an apero on the Canal. Only one, though, since we needed to be perky when putting in an appearance at the opening of My Kitch'n II, a new vegan restaurant in our neighborhood. When we arrived (a half-hour late, in true Parisian custom), the party was already in full swing. Thankfully, we didn't miss the food-related fun. The vegan caviar that was being passed around was crazy good.

Later this week, I'll finally make a visit to Vegissime, the new vegan shoes-and-accessories boutique that just opened in the 5e. I'm telling you, the vegan scene is on fire in Paris right now! We still need a spot to buy fashion-forward coats, scarves, and other winter wear, and we could REALLY benefit from a vegan boulangerie, but I'm guessing that'll be next!

What kind of vegan-oriented product or service do you think we need in Paris? If we can dream it up, surely it's possible!

A Super-Naturelle Night

I knew it was going to be a good night just as soon as Jenny eased her Smart Car into the impossibly tight space (with one intent onlooker just waiting for bumpers to grind) almost directly in front of Super Naturelle's new headquarters. We were a little late getting to the opening party for this vegan culinary school on a steep Montmartre back street, but there's nothing like a little rock star parking to shift one's perspective and get you amped up for a night of fun.

Jenny from super vegan resto My Kitch'n, about to make her grand entrance.

The Super Naturelle HQ is tucked into a corner of a typical 19th century Parisian courtyard, in a space that was once an painter's atelier. Today, artistry of a different stripe is performed here, and it has to do with one of my favorite subjects: Vegan food. I had no idea what to expect, but knew that I'd be meeting Ona Maiocco, the gorgeous girl behind the Super Naturelle brand. I'd interviewed her by email for Vegetarian Paris, but we hadn't actually met in person, and I was excited at the prospect.

What I definitely hadn't expected was for the soiree to be a who's-who of the vegan Parisian gliteratti. Stepping across the threshold and into the open and airy space, I immediately spotted Amelie Pieron, who hosts amazing pop-up vegan events in Paris and Montreal. (I was lucky enough to attend one of her raw events a couple of years ago.)  Next, I spied Marie LaForet, a blogger and cookbook author who's work I've long admired. Could it get any better? Well, there was Ona herself, more beautiful in person than in her lovely photos--and behind her, Sebastian Kardinal, the dapper dude/creative talent behind the vegan lifestyle blog Kardinal.fr and VG-Zone. Woopwoop!

Sebastian, Elodie, Jenny, and Marie strike a pose.

Ona, in the vivid turquoise scarf, holds court in her palatial digs.

Everyone was friendly, the food was hyper bonne (of course it was!), and the wine was HELLO it was wine so it was obviously splendid. Paris's vegan community needs to come together like this more often. Let's open more plant-based businesses so we have more excuses to make merry!

Isa Chandra was there, too!

Vegan powerhouses/local celebs Amelie Pieron and Ona Maiocco.

This creamy, nutty, chocolately confection was the best thing I'd scarfed down in ages. 

Pretty awesome: Lovely Ona kindly gave me a copy of her nearly-sold-out cookbook. I can't wait to make the Apricot and Lavender Creme biscuits ((swoon)).