At the famous Brasserie Lipp, I've had horrible meals. Only once I was satisfied. It's very expensive for what you get, and the food wasn't that great. I got the left over chicken from lunch time which was too burnt and extremely dry...

Kirsch Gourmandise? Awful stuff!

A crusty loaf of bread and some ham with Dijon ! That's amore!!

LOL, Joe, that's why the friend gets the Kirsch gourmandise while I go for the walnut.

Well in case you don't want to eat in a bad place, here are 2 of my favorites on my "i heart paris" websight.

Le Caveau de l'Isle

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...eau_de_li.html

Le Cosy

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...4/11/cozy.html

L'Ardoise

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp.../lardoise.html

I have a few more on my site but all of them don't have photos yet.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartparis

No Biggs, no Trader Joe's in Hawaii. Maybe I can get some in Sonoma/San Francisco when I fly up in July.

Beatchick, the people at Hotel Bonaparte, literally just across the street from Herme, told us that Laduree has better macarons, and after eating a few from each, I must agree! They sure do line up outside Herme, though!

Anybody figure out what happened to the original poster? Dropped dead from food poisoning???

MelissaHI, I'm sorry to hear that; we only just a few months ago got a Trader Joe's here in Cincy. I do definitely recommend the walnut gourmandise.

Grandmere, thanks for the tip! Doesn't hurt to do research to find the best ones, does it. ;)

huh! i don't care what anyone else says about it: i LOVE the kirsch gourmandise!!!!

Yes, and I'll bring you some more directly! ;)