Cool Pacific breezes, blossom-scented patios, glorious tropical gardens; the Biltmore in Montecito is one of the loveliest places on earth for champagne brunch.  The food is fairly standard brunch but about as well executed as you could hope.  And the dressy crowd (think old school NOT fashion forward) are great for people watching as they go apoplectic over the current state of affairs as reported in their Heritage Foundation newsletters.  It all makes for wonderful theatre while taking in the gorgeous coastline views. 

What could be more decadent than a leisurely lunch of veggie burger and fries at your lounge chair while poolside at the Coral Casino, the private club for residents of the glorious Biltmore in sunny Santa Barbara?

For foodies the world over, the grand high temple for culinary utensils is the storied E. Dehillerin.  Julia shopped there (there’s a yellowing photo of her in plastic behind the counter), as does Ina, Eric Ripert, Chocolate & Zucchini, and a host of other famous chefs and writers.  It’s not because it’s glamorous (it has the feel of a drugstore that time forgot somewhere in Iowa).  Simply, it’s because they have everything.  The famously indifferent staff will warm up once they understand that you know what you want.  Don’t believe what you’ve read; they actually can be quite charming.  But they are NOT going to hold your hand while you try to figure out which financier mold is right for you.  While browsing will be irresistable, come with a list.  Mine included brioche molds, black steel omelette pans, Opinel knives, and a Chateau Laguiole wine opener.  When I asked Jean, who was assisting us, to show me where the charlotte molds were, he lead me down a dark faded aisle to a shelf whereupon sat about 15 choices, then calmly walked away.  Who could have guessed that there were 15 different charlotte molds in the world?  Jean was extremely knowledgable and explained in great detail how to season my black steel pan, as well as the difference in knives, molds, and other items.  And while the prices are not cheap, and I had to endure a backache after schlepping loads of metal through two airports, it was well worth it.  My omelette came out perfect.

E. Dehillerin, 18 et 20 rue Coquillere/51, rue J.J.Rousseau 75001 Paris

http://www.e-dehillerin.fr

Looking for a one-stop picnic supply?  Look no further than fashionable Le Bon Marché, on the Rive Gauche, which houses the spectacular La Grande Epicerie, where you can easily find the most amazing breads, sandwiches, desserts, and products from all corners of the globe.  After an impromptu al fresco lunch of the most delicious  cheese and roast vegetable pressed sandwich in the charming park in front of the store, I did some serious food shopping.  Bewildered by the cheese counter, perfect strangers generously offered their suggestions, as so often happens in France.  I settled on a cheese I was unfamiliar with, Maroilles, an AOC cows milk cheese from the Maroilles region near Lille.  The smell was extremely pungent, even wrapped in 3 layers of plastic.  But the taste was divine; creamy, rich, buttery, with a balancing earthiness.  It went deliciously with wine later that afternoon. 

Selection of Butters at Le Bon Marché

24, rue de Sèvres
75007 Paris – France
www.lebonmarche.com

Anyway, back to Paris… I love strolling along the Rue Saint-Honore: gaping at the amazing window shopping, peeking inside the grand high palace of snottiness that is the Hotel Costes, or dreaming of my future steamer trunk at Goyard.  A fantastic place to refresh oneself is Jean-Paul Hevin Chololatier, at 231 rue Saint-Honore (www.jphevin.com), a tea room and pastry shop.  The pastries and chocolates are to die for, and I stock up on bars of chocolates from places in the world that you never even suspected grew cacao.  This time I settled on chocolate from Cuba.  These bars of chocolate will, upon returning home, be turned into chocolate souffles and gateaux for guests at my dinner parties.