El Guacamole: Mexican food in the 10th Arrondissement

Mexican food. 

A coffee date with friends today turned into the discovery of a fabulous new Mexican restaurant, El Guacamole near the Canal Saint Martin. I’m not often in the 10th, but after today’s walk through the charming neighborhood, I will be exploring it more in the future. May I present to you El Guacamole.

Being from Southern California (and the daughter of Mexican parents), my standards for the cuisine are high.  El Guacamole did very well.  It’s not easy to get the authentic ingredients to cook certain traditional dishes, but I really enjoyed their cactus (nopal) taco. I loved the horchata, a traditional Mexican beverage made with rice and cinnamon.

Drinking horchata at El Guacamole

I find it interesting to see how much tacos cost around the world.  I found a pub in Royal Leamington Spa, England, that has tacos for £6, and another restaurant in Paris that has them for 6€…each. Priced at 3€50, these tacos are reasonably priced, and the tortillas were so good!

Sincronizada (ham and cheese quesadilla), taco puerco al pastor, and a nopalitos taco

Lovely location, delicious food, and cosy atmosphere. See you at El Guacamole!

El Guacamole

37, rue Yves Toudic

75010

Citizens of Humanity, Hélène Darroze, and the Paris Oven Mitt

This is a match made in fashion and gastronomy heaven!

One of my favorite brands, Citizens of Humanity, has created a monthly video series called “Just Like You.”  Each video features a different, international personality discussing their respective passions, professions, personal stories, and thoughts on life.  One of my favorite videos in the series spotlights French chef Hélène Darroze.

Though she is now the fourth generation of a family of chefs, Hélène Darroze first earned a business degree and joined Alain Ducasse’s team at the prestigious Louis XV restaurant in Monaco – but in the office.  Ducasse finally persuade her to return to the kitchen, and the rest is history. She returned to her family’s Michelin-starred restaurant, and then went on to open her own restaurant in Paris, where she won her first Michelin star in 2001, and then a second star in 2003. In 2008, she was named the new chef of The Connaught hotel in London after its nine month £70 million restoration and renovation program, where she earned them another two stars. On top of this all, other accolades include becoming a chevalier (knight) in the French Legion of Honor in 2012 and being the inspiration for the character Colette in Pixar’s 2007 film Ratatouille. Two cities, two restaurants, two children: she can do it all!

Hélène Darroze dish

What is exceptional about Hélène Darroze’s cooking is her loyalty to her roots and the flavors of southwestern France, particularly from the Landes region where she was raised.  Her culinary style has been dubbed  “haute rustique,” as it combines the sophistication of French cuisine with traditional cooking methods and hearty ingredients. Darroze says she is very influenced by her heritage, where art de vivre cuisine and food is so important. This unique emphasis has no doubt contributed to her international success.

Salle à manger at the Hélène Darroze restaurant in Paris

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

It’s no wonder that Citizens of Humanity selected such a dynamic and passionate person for their series. I fell in love with this clever combination to showcase their partnership, a jean oven mitt! And x marks the spot, or the Hélène Darroze restaurant in Paris. You can purchase the mitt online here.

All proceeds from the Hélène Darroze x Citizens of Humanity Oven Mitt will benefit Afghanistan Libre, an organization that provides assistance in constructing and running primary and secondary schools for girls.

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Visit Hélène Darroze in Paris

4, rue d’Assas, 75006

 Hélène Darroze at The Connaught in London

The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair, London, W1K 2AL

or at the Raff House in Moscow

Malaya Nikitskaya street, 25