C'est La Vie French Bakery & Cafe - A little bit of Paris on the Delaware

I’ve never been to Paris.  But, C’est La Vie French Bakery in New Hope, Pennsylvania is exactly what I imagine a french patisserie to be.

Situated at the end of a narrow alley off of South Main Street, C’est la Vie is a tiny shop with low ceilings and dark wood walls.  This was not my first visit, and each time I walk through the door I’m met with the familiar scent of freshly baked baguettes, fresh brewed coffee and sugary sweets. 

As I stand in front of the glass enclosed case full of glistening fruit tartelettes, cookies, pastries, millefeuilles and gateau, I feel as though I have entered a fine jewelry shop, browsing for just the right gem in the perfect setting. But these rubies and sapphires were strawberries and blueberries nestled in a topaz crust.  They were truly treasures, not to be worn–to be eaten.  

Hmm...what will it be?  The decision would be difficult. After all, I couldn’t afford one of each. (I’m talking about my hips not my pocketbook.) Everything looked so beautiful.   

I finally choose the pain au chocolat.  One bite and I know this yummy treat will be worth every extra mile on the treadmill.  The pastry is buttery and flaky with just the right amount of dark chocolate.  I've chosen well.  Next time I’ll try a Napoleon, or an eclair or a chocolate cookie...maybe the quiche...

The authentic Paris vibe found in both the setting and the pastries is the work of proprietor Joel Vitart. Chef Joel, who learned his trade in Paris, spent years tweaking recipes to replicate the flaky, sweet confections available along the Seine. According to his wife and business partner Jane, Joel believes "when you walk through the doors of C'est La Vie, you're walking into France."
  
C’est La Vie offers a wide assortment of pastries, cakes, cookies, brioche and breads as well as savory quiches and sandwiches.  When weather permits, their river-view patio is a great spot to “manger” and watch night sky sparkle.

C’est la Vie French Bakery is the perfect place to relax, sip cafe au lait, nibble on a Madeleine and pretend to read Proust.


C'est La Vie French Bakery & Cafe
20 South Main Street
New Hope, PA 18938
(215) 862-1956
Tues 7:30am-2pm
Wed&Thurs 7:30am-5pm
Fri.-Sun., 7:30am-6pm

A Visit to the Viking Cooking School at Ninety Acres in Peapack-Gladstone, NJ

 Viking kitchen in its final moments of cleanliness prior to class

My sister Sharon recently treated me to a night out in Rome for my birthday. Nice sister, huh? Actually, she took me to a cooking class titled “Girls Night Out in Rome” at the recently opened Viking Cooking School at Ninety Acres. The much talked about “table-at-the-farm” concept restaurant is located on the grounds of Natirar, a Somerset County estate once owned by the King of Morocco.

This renovated Carriage House is home to the
 Viking Cooking School at Ninety Acres at Natirar 

The 50-minute scenic drive north from our starting base of Pennington was capped by a tree-lined winding entrance drive that skirted past a rambling brook and up an incline before revealing our destination: an exquisitely restored Carriage House shared by the school and restaurant.

Outdoor entrance/reception area.

The beauty of the setting can not be overstated. When we proud New Jerseyans defend our state from misguided naysayers by pointing out the state’s many scenic areas, this patch of rolling hills in the middle of “horse country” is exactly what we’re talking about.
The school is housed in what was once the garage section of the carriage house. Warm woods, exposed brick and wall-to-wall multi-paned windows provides a sunlight saturated environment that manages to be both spacious and inviting.

The space is anchored by a u-shaped state-of-the art cooking island and teaching station; rolling stainless steel tables can be arranged as needed for students. When we arrived, the staff had already completed our mise en place for the class.