Chocolat

Philippe Conticini, the ex-patisserie chef for the Petrossian restaurants in Paris and New York, has opened a little boutique on the place du marche st catherine, near our flat. We went in yesterday to sample the wares. There are only a few things in the tiny, luxurious shop - it's like being in an exclusive jewelery shop or shoe boutique - and eventually we bought a small slab of chocolat au marteau - chocolate that you break with a hammer. It's incredible stuff, just the aroma is intoxicating, and the taste is amazing. Our little piece - about half the size of a postcard - cost 6 eur, but you only have to eat a small piece to have a mind-blowing chocolate experience. We'll have to ration ourselves to make it last to the end of the month.