For me, no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to Laduree in Place de la Madeleine.  It’s just sooo French.  I love the tiny boite of a dining room with its antique paneled walls and tiny tables squeezed in so tightly that you’re in everyone’s conversation.  Sitting at the tables are patrons right out of central casting; grand ladies dripping with pearls sizing everyone up over barely touched salads.  The food is always wonderfully consistent.  Readers may remember an earlier post on Laduree London, when I drool over the veggie sandwich.  This time, I started with an amazingly creamy and rich butternut squash soup.  For my main, I chose the black truffle souffle. which was thoroughly delicious.   After dining, I headed straight into the crowded patisserie to stock up on cocoa powder, marron glacee, and the most spectacular pastries to nibble on later.  There are a number of Laduree shops and tea rooms around Paris as well as in a few select countries, but this one, in the shadow of the magnificent Madeleine church, is always my romantic favorite.  www.laduree.fr