Carton

Confessions from an Éclair-oholic…

by Weekend In Paris

Where’s Father Tucker?  I have a confession to make.  This trip to Paris was going to be éclair free.  I was finally going to stare the Carton shop right in the eye and refuse to go in for my éclair fix.  I had kicked the habit after hitting the place really hard last year on my trip to Paris.  The only great éclairs in the United States are made by my Aunt Mal who lives in Weymouth, MA.  I am a safe plane ride away from any temptation.

The Plan for Self-Control…

My strategy was simple…walk past Carton on the opposite side of the street where hopefully the shops with the SOLDES (SALE) signs would distract me enough to make sure I did not bolt across the street to order a dozen and consume at least half of those before I hit the end of the block.  The plan worked for the first few days.  Then one afternoon the Gal Pals and I were up in the hotel room putting our feet up for a few minutes before heading out to dinner and merrymaking when it hit me…Carton was just around the corner and if we left right that second I could have a tasty buttery fluffy pastry stuffed full of chocolate-filled crème in my mouth before I had time to call my Éclairs Anonymous sponsor back home (Mr. Weekend in Paris) to talk me out of it.  The Gals didn’t bat an eyelash…in fact I am pretty sure that Gal Pals Andy and Christine were wrestling with the same demon I was because they had their boots back on in record time to join me.

CartonOne last chance…

Alas, it was not meant to be.  Carton was closed.  We had waited too long.  The moment was gone.  I was safe.  Unless… Did I hear someone calling my name?  Paul?  Is that you?  What did you say?  I need to come see you right now?  Well, it would be rude to ignore him calling so let’s go right this second to see what’s up.   Paul – such a benign name for such an evil place.  Paul (a chain patisserie) sells éclairs that looked just like the ones in Carton but they were much louder.  They called my name from down the street and lured me in to their evil pastry shop knowing that I could not just have a look; I needed a taste.  Just one little bite.  Which, of course, led to another little bite and so it went to completion.  Just like that, one éclair down the hatch.  Like a sailor at sea who hits the port, this Gal Pal ate with reckless abandon.

So my readers, you now know the painful ugly truth…I fell off the éclair wagon and don’t even regret it one bit…well, maybe I regret that I only had just the one éclair and not a whole box!  The penance, whatever Father Tucker decides, is well worth it!

You may also like

6 comments

Joemama August 30, 2013 - 9:32 am

If u want a good eclairgasm look up l eclair genie paris its AMAZING!

Monique January 31, 2011 - 5:28 am

Why worry about self-control? You’re in Paris. You can walk it off going from shop to shop or just meandering along the Champs-Elysee. My weakness, btw, is pain au chocolat.

Priscilla January 29, 2011 - 10:20 am

Love this background Corey! You are right – it’s impossible to fight that force of nature.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Cheers,
Priscilla

Margo January 28, 2011 - 9:00 pm

I love this post. Thanks for the confession. I too have my weaknesses, but they tend more toward epoisses and foie gras.

Weekend In Paris January 29, 2011 - 7:39 am

We ate at L’Epi Dupin again…I will post soon about our experience, but safe to say it’s for sure my favorite restaurant in Paris!
I can’t thank you enough for recommending it to me!
:)

Weekend In Paris January 28, 2011 - 4:59 pm

Hi Cathy,
As long as we are confessing here…I have not had a macaron in Paris. As pretty as they look, I don’t care for them. All the rest of the desserts I will eat in Paris, but eclairs are my favorite! Try one and try not to get hooked! LOL!
:)
Priscilla

Comments are closed.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More