Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes

by Elizabeth Bard

Overview

In Paris for a weekend visit, Bard sat down to lunch with a handsome Frenchman--and never went home again. "Lunch in Paris" is a memoir about a young American woman caught up in two passionate love affairs--one with her new beau and the other with French cuisine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316042789
Publisher:	Little, Brown and Company
Publication date:	02/07/2011
Pages:	326
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Elizabeth Bard is an American journalist and author based in Provence, France, where her second book, Picnic in Provence: A Memoir With Recipes, took place. Her first book, Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes has been a New York Times and international bestseller, a Barnes & Noble "Discover Great New Writers" pick, and the recipient of the 2010 Gourmand World Cookbook Award for Best First Cookbook (USA).

What People are Saying About This

Adriana Trigiani

"Lunch in Paris has got it all: romance in full on the front burner with delicious French recipes for sustenance. Elizabeth Bard's voice is filled with lust and longing-it's Eat, Stay, Love with a side of spiced apricots."--(Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of Very Valentine)
\

From the Publisher

"She pleasantly details her joys and obstacles . . . provides poignant revelations about cultural differences. . . . A cozy, touching story." —-Kirkus

Nani Power

"As charming and coquettish as Paris itself, Lunch in Paris reawakens our tired hearts and palates with a deliciously passionate journey through the city of lights. Be prepared to be seduced by french kisses, the richest chocolate, and the sweet charm of Bard's prose."--(Nani Power, author of Crawling at Night and Feed the Hungry)\

Giulia Melucci

"Elizabeth Bard's Lunch in Paris is delicious, romantic, and sexy, just as the title indicates. What captivates you is the story of a woman finding herself after she finds love, and the challenge that entails. I devoured this book with all the gusto I would bring to a plate of steak tartare with pommes frites."--(Giulia Melucci, author of I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti)
\

Editorial Reviews

This memoir begins, "I slept with my French husband halfway through our first date. I say halfway because we had finished lunch but not yet ordered coffee." From that slightly dizzying takeoff, Lunch in Paris glides to numerous small landings, each of them punctuated by a recipe for a delicacy such as Zucchini Flowers Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Mint or Creamy Carrot Soup. Bard guides readers through her unplanned courtship, marriage, and continent-change with the grace of a Parisian lady which, of course, is what she has become. A Discover New Writers selection; now in paperback. (P.S. This edition contains a reader's guide, making it perfect for book clubs.)

American journalist Bard traces her relationship with her French husband from the first lunch date to the present, framing the narrative around mouthwatering menus. The book starts out vanilla, but the author's charming narrative and penetrating insights quickly add a subtle complexity that will captivate readers. Having met her future husband Gwendal at an academic conference in London, Bard soon invented an excuse to visit Paris. Eventually she moved in to Gwendal's tiny apartment and began her initiation into Parisian life. She pleasantly details her joys and obstacles, including her difficulties with grumpy fishmongers and complicated meat-market lines, and she provides poignant revelations about cultural differences that are alternately easy to overcome and seemingly insurmountable. The idea of love conquering all is certainly a cliche, but the author's unique voice prevents her story from becoming stale. One of the most enlightening aspects of French culture that Bard reveals is the fact that in Paris, the customer is not always right. Whether it's the chef for the wedding hors d'oeuvres or the doctor treating her father-in-law's colon cancer, the author learned that one must bow to the opinion of the professional. Ultimately, Paris had much to offer Bard, including lessons in how to cook delectable meals with whatever is at hand, or the simplicity of sitting in a cafe and relaxing with a coffee and croissant. Despite the many delicious recipes, the motif of food only provides a loose framework for the book, leaving the narrative somewhat disjointed in places. This does not, however, diminish Bard's entertaining voice. A cozy, touching story. Agent: Wendy Sherman/Wendy Sherman &Associates

Kirkus Reviews

"As charming and coquettish as Paris itself, Lunch in Paris reawakens our tired hearts and palates with a deliciously passionate journey through the city of lights. Be prepared to be seduced by french kisses, the richest chocolate, and the sweet charm of Bard's prose."—Nani Power, author of Crawling at Night and Feed the Hungry

"Elizabeth Bard's Lunch in Paris is delicious, romantic, and sexy, just as the title indicates. What captivates you is the story of a woman finding herself after she finds love, and the challenge that entails. I devoured this book with all the gusto I would bring to a plate of steak tartare with pommes frites."—Giulia Melucci, author of I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti

"A love story is always delightful, and one with recipes is also useful in the long run, part and parcel of a real French relationship."—Diane Johnson, author of Le Divorce and L'Affaire

"Lunch in Paris has got it all: romance in full on the front burner with delicious French recipes for sustenance. Elizabeth Bard's voice is filled with lust and longing-it's Eat, Stay, Love with a side of spiced apricots."—Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of Very Valentine

"In this pleasant memoir about learning to live and eat 'à la française,' an American journalist married to a Frenchman inspires lessons in culinary détente.... Bard's memoir is really a celebration of the culinary season as it unfolded in their young lives together.... both sensuous and informative."—Publishers Weekly

"A charming narrative.... Penetrating insights quickly add a subtle complexity that will captivate readers...She pleasantly details her joys and obstacles...provides poignant revelations about cultural differences ... A cozy, touching story."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Sweet and heartfelt with delicious recipes.”

People

"[A] delicious story about falling in love-over food-in France."

Harper's Bazaar

"sweet and heartfelt with delicious recipes"

People "Style Watch"

"In this charming memoir, Bard searches for her new identity by balancing her love for two countries. She discovers the common denominator that will give her life meaning: food.... If you enjoyed the Julia Child romance that made the Julie & Julia film so entrancing, you'll love this voyage into the gastronomic soul of the French - complete with luscious recipes."

Carol Memmott - USA Today

"Lunch in Paris has got it all: romance in full on the front burner with delicious French recipes for sustenance. Elizabeth Bard's voice is filled with lust and longing-it's Eat, Stay, Love with a side of spiced apricots."

Adriana Trigiani

"A love story is always delightful, and one with recipes is also useful in the long run, part and parcel of a real French relationship."

Diane Johnson

"Elizabeth Bard's Lunch in Paris is delicious, romantic, and sexy, just as the title indicates. What captivates you is the story of a woman finding herself after she finds love, and the challenge that entails. I devoured this book with all the gusto I would bring to a plate of steak tartare with pommes frites."

Giulia Melucci

"As charming and coquettish as Paris itself, Lunch in Paris reawakens our tired hearts and palates with a deliciously passionate journey through the city of lights. Be prepared to be seduced by french kisses, the richest chocolate, and the sweet charm of Bard's prose."

Nani Power

"sweet and heartfelt with delicious recipes"

"Style Watch" - People Magazine

In this charming memoir, Bard searches for her new identity by balancing her love for two countries. She discovers the common denominator that will give her life meaning: food.... If you enjoyed the Julia Child romance that made the Julie & Julia film so entrancing, you'll love this voyage into the gastronomic soul of the French - complete with luscious recipes.
— USA Today

Carol Memmott