She Dines: A Taste of Paris in Detroit
“She wanted to die, but she also wanted to live in Paris.” — Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert
Not sure about the whole dying thing but I certainly would love to live in Paris! If Paris were a person, it would be a she - an exquisite she - a woman of effortless style, cultural awareness, and an ability to create sheer loveliness. She is clearly the esteemed patroness of the latest eatery in Detroit’s West Village - La Bohéme. This cutie pie of a café is perfect for getting my French fix until Madame Paris and I are officially besties.
“She wanted to die, but she also wanted to live in Paris.”
Not sure about the whole dying thing but I certainly would love to live in Paris! If Paris were a person, it would be a she - an exquisite she - a woman of effortless style, cultural awareness, and an ability to create sheer loveliness. She is clearly the esteemed patroness of the latest eatery in Detroit’s West Village - La Bohéme. This cutie pie of a café is perfect for getting my French fix until Madame Paris and I are officially besties.
Salad, china, pastry and art gallery at La Bohéme by April Eileen
I had the pleasure of meeting one of the proprieters, Jean Jeannot, when I stumbled in after grabbing tea from Sister Pie. “La Bo-em!” I exclaimed. “I’ve been meaning to get here!” Jean congratulated me on my near-perfect pronunciation before telling me that the café was closed and directing me to the hours on the door. I grimaced but was delighted. I hadn’t been rebuffed by a Frenchman since I asked for an English menu at a restaurant in the 5th arrondissement. #menudenied #figureditout #foodwasfantastic
What kind of foodie would I be if I let a little thing like shop hours stop me from partaking of la nourriture? I vowed to return and return I did and this time, I didn’t even have to use my 2nd grade French speaking skills to have a great experience. I soon noticed all of the details that make La Bohéme so quaint and charming - flower-shaped smoked salmon, ornate teacups and silverware, and two clocks on the wall to ensure that guests know the time in Detroit and Paris. They have a light breakfast and lunch menu with yummy French fare, a solid tea selection, and several pretty pastries (I couldn’t resist the Marie Antoinette). Also, if you take a peek downstairs, there is a small gallery (surprise!) that’s currently displaying Emmy Perryman’s photography.
La Bohéme’s got a little something for everyone so if you’re ever in Detroit and up for a little taste of Paris, check it out and tell me what you think.
UPDATE: Sadly, La Bohéme is no more. C’est dommage. Mark Kurlyandchik of the Detroit Free Press has speculated that the notoriously competitive restaurant market may have reached a saturation point in Detroit. Over the past several years, fellow foodies have watched with delight as the Detroit food scene expanded at light speed. Unfortunately, many restaurants have not been able to sustain themselves in the frenzy and have had to close their doors. Perhaps this is the story of La Bohéme. Regardless, it will join other formidable establishments in the annals of Detroit’s restaurant renaissance history.
Love in all things,
April Eileen
Quotes from the Classics: March
I often hurry March in my desire to get to Spring, overlooking the quiet beauty and rising energy of this month. It is a month of transition, of endings and new beginnings. It holds both melancholy and anticipation and suspends them together in wonder. It’s gifts come slowly in whispers at first and then all at once in celebratory cheers. It is a time of nuance and subtlety, begging us to tune-in and be surprised and delighted. I love how these writers capture the essence of this special moment in the year. Enjoy!
I often hurry March in my desire to get to Spring, overlooking the quiet beauty and rising energy of this month. It is a month of transition, of endings and new beginnings. It holds both melancholy and anticipation and suspends them together in wonder. It’s gifts come slowly in whispers at first and then all at once in celebratory cheers. It is a time of nuance and subtlety, begging us to tune-in and be surprised and delighted. I love how these writers capture the essence of this special moment in the year. Enjoy!
Snow on flowers by Facundo Sosa
“The Dandelion’s pallid tube
Astonishes the Grass,
And Winter instantly becomes
An infinite Alas”
“Daffodils,
That come before the swallow dares, and take
The winds of March with beauty.”
“After that hard winter, one could not get enough of the nimble air. Every morning I wakened with a fresh consciousness that winter was over. There were none of the signs of spring for which I used to watch in Virginia, no budding woods or blooming gardens. There was only—spring itself; the throb of it, the light restlessness, the vital essence of it everywhere: in the sky, in the swift clouds, in the pale sunshine, and in the warm, high wind—rising suddenly, sinking suddenly, impulsive and playful like a big puppy that pawed you and then lay down to be petted. If I had been tossed down blindfold on that red prairie, I should have known that it was spring.”
“With so many trees in the city, you could see the spring coming each day until a night of warm wind would bring it suddenly in one morning. Sometimes the heavy cold rains would beat it back so that it would seem that it would never come and that you were losing a season out of your life. This was the only truly sad time in Paris because it was unnatural. You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintry light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen. When the cold rains kept on and killed the spring, it was as though a young person had died for no reason. In those days, though, the spring always came finally but it was frightening that it had nearly failed.”
“Spring drew on...and a greenness grew over those brown beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps.”
“And the Spring arose on the garden fair,Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breastRose from the dreams of its wintry rest.”
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”
Love in all things,
April Eileen
What’s Lovely on Valentine’s Day
“The authentic self is soul made visible” — Sarah Ban Breathnach
If you’ve checked out my post, Valentine’s Day: Away from B.S. and Back to Basics, you know I’m all about authentic displays of affection – displays that come from a place of genuine appreciation. I’ve been thinking about the season less in terms of manufacturing romance and more in terms of savoring and appreciating the life in front of us, which I’ve found, often results in being romantically inclined anyway. What’s Lovely on Valentine’s Day? Freeing ourselves from anything that falls short of authenticity. Here’s a list of things that will help us keep the love real.
“The authentic self is soul made visible”
If you’ve checked out my post, Valentine’s Day: Away from B.S. and Back to Basics, you know I’m all about authentic displays of affection – displays that come from a place of genuine appreciation. I’ve been thinking about the season less in terms of manufacturing romance and more in terms of savoring and appreciating the life in front of us, which I’ve found, often results in being romantically inclined anyway. What’s Lovely on Valentine’s Day? Freeing ourselves from anything that falls short of authenticity. Here’s a list of things that will help us keep the love real.
Hearts by freestocks.org
Self-love. It all starts with self. You cannot give what you don’t have. Period. Let’s kick-off this season’s love fest by reflecting on what we appreciate about ourselves and our lives. Let’s also do something special just for the one looking back in the mirror. I am totally watching Pride and Prejudice…alone…with wine. That way, I can sit silly-smiling at the TV and mouthing the lines along with Lizzy and Mr. Darcy with no one judging. It’s my absolute favorite movie.
Beauty. What other holiday allows for unfettered loveliness? I am absolutely indulging and making a beautiful breakfast. I am planning heart-shaped pancakes and sparkling apple cider for the littles served in flutes on a bed of pink and white rose petals. I did the flutes for an event I put together – Dinner and Dessert in the Dark – and the display turned out beautifully. Update: Here is the spread I put together. Breakfast for dinner and kombucha instead of cider but lovely all the same. :-)
Heart-felt communication. If there ever was a day to communicate genuinely, this would be the day to do it. A few days ago, I kicked off the season of appreciation by sending my family something I wrote to them a while back about how they saved me when my daughter was born prematurely. It was raw and beautiful and it felt so good to really acknowledge them, thank them, and share how much I love them all. As an added bonus, it turns out that praising others not only makes the receiver happy, it also adds some serious joy to your life as well, according to Shawn Achor, happiness researcher. What a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift to others and to yourself. Also, the love season might provide a perfect opportunity to dust off the stationary and paper goodies. if you’ve seen my post, The Art of Communication, you’ll understand why I think analogue tools sometimes more readily allow for authentic communication. I’m sharing something hand written with my husband and also crafting some proper valentines with the kiddies.
Updated Tradition. Let’s be honest. The heart-shaped boxes of toxic chocolate could use a bit of updating. Am I right? Chocolate, seen as an aphrodisiac, was all about setting the scene for romance. I think it could be used equally as effectively to accommodate my new approach to Valentine’s Day of savoring and appreciating. Chocolate could easily set the scene for reflecting on and appreciating all of the sweetness in life and it’s easy to enjoy. Nothing like a hot beverage to assist in reflection so this year, I’m doing hot chocolate made with organic almond milk, TJ’s dark chocolate, and decent marshmallows (Update 2.5.25: Hudson Valley marshmallows are so good!) (I’ll deal with the sugar-crazed kids later). On my list for V-Days to come? Chocolate art – either buying or taking a class. Think Vosges Haute-Chocolat or Guilt Chocolate (Update 2.5.25: Guilt is no longer open). I would also love to do a proper chocolate and wine tasting again. My husband and I did a spectacular tasting in Napa Valley at Rutherford Ranch and it’s been too long since I’ve done something similar.
Simplicity. I’m excited about my V-Day plans and even more excited that they’re coming from a place that resonates with me. That said, I know the magic will quickly dissipate if I let myself get frenzied. In order to stay stress-free during this holiday (and all the others, for that matter), I’m keeping things simple. My activities are going to be spread out over a few days, rather than trying to cram everything into one day and make it all perfect. I’m also about having people help out wherever possible. There may be fewer carrot sticks and more PB&J’s if my husband handles lunches, for example, but that will give me a chance to focus on other holiday activities. The mister and I have also decided to keep our alone time simple too. We’re doing french fries and drinks at a restaurant bar in the bustling metropolis of Dayton, Ohio! That’s where the babysitter, errr grandma, lives. We’re going to forget the fluff and just enjoy each other’s company! Win!
So there’s the list. What would you add?
Love in all things,
April Eileen
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my other V-day posts - Valentine’s Day: Away from B.S. and Back to Basics and February’s Quotes from the Classics - for more love!