A second helping of tales on the joys and challenges of working, eating, and loving in France from the New York Times bestselling author of Pancakes in Paris. Craig Carlson set out to do the impossible: open the first American diner in Paris. Despite never having owned his own business before–let alone a restaurant, the riskiest business of all–Craig chose to open his diner in a foreign … open his diner in a foreign country, with a foreign language that also happens to be the culinary capital of the world. While facing enormous obstacles, whether its finding cooks who can navigate the impossibly petite kitchen (and create delicious roast Turkey for their Thanksgiving Special to boot), finding “exotic” ingredients like bacon, breakfast sausage, and bagels, and dealing with constant strikes, demonstrations, and Kafkaesque French bureaucracy, Craig and his diner, Breakfast in America, went on to be a great success–especially with the French.
By turns hilarious and provocative, Craig takes us hunting for snails with his French mother-in-law and invites us to share the table when he treats his elegant nonagrian neighbor to her first-ever cheeseburger. We encounter a customer at his diner who, as a self-proclaimed anarchist, tries to stiff his bill, saying it’s his right to “dine and dash.” We navigate Draconian labor laws where bad employees can’t be fired (even for theft) and battle antiquated French bureaucracy dating back to Napoleon.
When Craig finds love, he and his debonair French cheri find themselves battling the most unlikely of foes–the notorious Pigeon Man–for their sanity, never mind peace and romance, in their little corner of Paris. For all those who love stories of adventure, delicious food, and over-coming the odds, Let Them Eat Pancakes will satisfy your appetite and leave you wanting even more.
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Delightful read!
This book was OK. Lots of great descriptions of France and its restaurants and critics. Nothing outstanding, but it was an enjoyable read.
Very interesting story and I learned I learned many things about France–mainly how difficult it is to start a business.
was ok…. a little long for the topic
This is a mildly amusing take on an American living and working in Paris. It is written in a very straight-forward style that is not very creative. People would do much better with “Paris to the Moon” by Adam Gopnik.
I just adored reading this book.. Craig Carlson gives you your money’s worth with great personal stories of making it in spite of the odds stacked against him… Luckily he’s past Finnish and that Sissu gets a lot of us through our lives…
Best of all Craig has a lot to say about the pros and cons of living in France, where they work to live and her in America, where we often seem to live to work…(me included). If the American public found out that the French get six weeks of paid vacation, and waiters get a living wage sans tips… it makes you think…
Hearty and delicious.
Eat. Love. Paris. Craig Carlson shares his passion for food and France in this charming, thought-provoking collection of essays. With heart and humor, he shows us the best of America and France, and how we can learn from one another. Whether delving into cultural differences or the challenges and rewards of running a business, Craig is the perfect guide. Let Them Eat Pancakes is a delicious, satisfying dish about following your dreams.
For readers and travelers who love or have been to Paris, it’s a good read. One is taken on a journey with the author throughout the streets of this Capital. Great characters!
This second helping of stories about the author’s life in Paris is as cheering as an all-day American breakfast.
I have read several memoirs that were focused on an American’s experience living in France, and I have to say that Craig Carlson’s Let Them Eat Pancakes is one of the most charming. Mr. Carlson’s latest book is a series of essays that take his readers on a short tour of Paris.
I met some quirky characters who inhabit the neighborhood around the author’s home and business as well as experienced the Parisians version of a visit to the park. The author’s experiences dealing with French bureaucrats in order to operate his business are humorously told even though it was undoubtedly highly frustrating while enduring the experiences. Mr. Carlson’s husband, Julien, provides delightful insight into Parisians logic. The gem of the story is the author’s “Belle Maman”, Elizabeth. She is painted as an amazing woman whom I would love to meet.
This heartfelt book is filled with sweet, funny and poignant moments that span the author’s troubled childhood to his living his dream life in Paris. And yes, if I’m ever able to return to Paris, I will be searching out Craig Carlson’s restaurant, Breakfast in America.
BREAKING NEWS – American expat Craig Carlson has conquered France! Or at least Paris. The clientele of his American diner – the first in Paris to serve breakfast all day – is now about 70% French.
Craig’s second book “Let Them Eat Pancakes” gives the reader delightful essays on living, working, eating, and loving in France. The writing made me feel as though I were sitting across the table from him enjoying a glass of wine as he regaled me with story after story of his experiences. He made me smile, and even elicited a few (well, more than a few) laughs.
Having struggled with high school French class, I could certainly relate to Craig’s efforts to learn the language. (However, Craig was much more successful at it than was I.) After reading of Craig’s childhood and his determination to better his life, it is not that difficult to understand how his business has succeeded. As with any expat, he faced many challenges adapting to his new country; but he approached the challenges with a great sense of humor.
Opening a restaurant anywhere is risky business. But heap on top of that a restaurant in a foreign country and a foreign language. Craig writes of the many trials he encountered upon opening his business. I am surprised that any small business manages to survive there given France’s insanely complex and contradictory labor laws.
Americans and the French approach food in vastly different ways. Americans tend to rush through their meals and enjoy “finger foods”. But the French take their food very seriously; they respect their food. Food is to be savored and not to be touched with the fingers. Thus, it was interesting (and even entertaining) to read of Americans’ reactions to the French way of eatingand vice versa. One of the most delightful stories is when Craig’s 86-year-old neighbor eats her first burger.
I must give admiration to Julien for (mostly) remaining calm as he dealt with the massive amount of paperwork and department incompetency required for Craig and him to get married. Craig and Julien come across as an adorable couple, and I loved their moments of interaction in the book. Even more adorable though is Craig’s relationship with Belle Maman, his mother-in-law Elisabeth. I am in complete awe of this woman. However, after reading the description of how Belle Maman prepared snails to eat, I may never eat escargot again.
The last chapter “From France to Frenchtown” took me back to my own childhood. Like Craig, I grew up in an area that had little to offer. I was that child who longed to see the world. And like Craig, it was through the encouragement of those who taught me to believe in myself that I was able to make my dreams come true. It was very easy for me to relate to him as he told his story.
This is the perfect book for these times when we need some lightness in our lives, a time when armchair travel is the best we can do. I now look forward to reading his first book “Pancakes in Paris”.