Happy New Year! January 2017 Newsletter: DavidLebovitz.com

So here it is, another year. And as of last week, I'll admit that I'm one year older, too. We always say as December draws to a close, "Well, I'm glad that year is over…" before we move on to the next. Which makes me think there must be a way to assure that we're going to have a better year going forward. But why have we not thought of it yet?

I've been around a while and I think one of the things that always works to make things better is just to "Be better" myself. That doesn't mean I should be perfect or competitive with anyone else, but during all the little things that happen in life that are less than pleasant, I like to think about how I can handle a situation better, or be the better person. Taking the high road may not be the express route but, call me old-fashioned, I still believe that manners, politeness, and having the good sense to "do the right thing," are the best ways to fashion your life. So that's what I'm going to continue to strive for in 2017.

Toward the end of 2016, I took a trip to the U.S. to work (mostly), although did have time to head to Philadelphia for donuts, Jewish and Italian food, and had a spirited Amaro tasting. It's a very nice city with lots of great things to eat. After I got to spend Thanksgiving with my family out in the boonies, which was a nice change of pace from city life.

When I came back to Paris, I did a video of what I brought back. People sometimes think it's odd to bring things from the U.S. to France, especially foods, but there are things that I miss, that I can't get here.

One are pecans, which I just learned you could buy from Costco, over on Amazon. (Best discovery of 2016!?) Another was crunchy organic peanut butter, as well as a few bottles of whiskey, and heavy-duty aluminum foil for French friends that are cooks. (Who like it too!)

After stuffing myself with baguettes smeared thickly with salted butter from Brittany, I hit the Marché d'Aligre, one of my favorite markets in Paris, to restock my larder. I bought winter greens (dandelions, endives and radicchio), citrus, and lots of the cheeses that I missed. At the flea market, that's in the center of the market, I snagged a vintage rolling pin for €5. (Above.) I tried to talk him down to €3, but am no match for the têtu French, and paid up the full-price. But I still think I got a deal, because it's big, heavy, and ready-for-action.

I'm not sure what I'll be rolling out next, but here's hoping you had a happy New Year's celebration, and as they say in France - Bonne année !

- David

In 2017, we have to say au revoir to the Paris Pastry App. My partner in the app, Heather Stimmler-Hall of Secrets of Paris, and I, wanted to feature the best of the pastry and chocolate shops of Paris in one, easy-to-use place, and our app was it. We spent months (and years) criss-crossing Paris, sampling pastries and chocolates, adding addresses and photos as we went.

Unfortunately the technology became overwhelming and unlike a blog or website, apps can't easily be amended or edited. So we were unable to add new addresses and make edits to current shops if they moved or if we found something they offered that we wanted to include in the app. Another factor was that the publisher for the app in Paris closed up shop for good at the end of 2016.

If you have the app, it'll still work just fine, but we can no longer update it. Thanks for your support!

Runs on sun - World's First Solar Paneled Road Opens in Normandy Village (The Guardian)

Yes, you (and I) can do it! - How I left a 12-Year Career in Silicon Valley to Work in Belize (Fast Company)

Is wine the savior for any love lost? - Can Wine Save Our Fading Love Affair with France? (Punch)

Yay! (although gotta wait about a decade...) - Express Train from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport Gets Green Light (The Local)

Are we too happy? - Are Americans Obsessed with Happiness? (Vox)

Can I copy a recipe? - 8 Answers to Copyright Questions About Recipes and Books (Will Write for Food)

The best tv I've watched in a while (and remarkably relevant...) - The Americans, Seasons 1 through 3 (On Amazon Prime Video and Netflix)

A santé! - Paris Cocktail Week takes place in January

The famed soap makes a move - Aleppo Soap Makes Leap from Souk to Paris Suburb (Yahoo! News)

I've been dying to make this Caramelized Almond Cake for years. It was worth the wait.

I re-visted my holiday favorite, Panforte (above), and Italian confection that's rich in chocolate, nuts, candied fruit, with a hint of spiciness.

Ditto on Sbrisonola, a crunchy Italian cookie riddled with cornmeal and nuts. A friend in Italy said to splash it with grappa when it comes out of the oven. So I need to make it again, soon, to try that.

Cookie-lovers coming to Paris might want to check out Compagnie Générale de Biscuiterie. They have a tea salon, too – right in the kitchen!

A Trip to Federal Donuts and Abe Fisher, part of a 36 hour food/cocktail fest.

Swirling brownies with salted caramel? Genius. I never made caramel in the microwave…and it works! Merci, Irvin.