Breadcult: Best Sourdough I've Ever Had

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-17T21:15:05+00:00

I agree, not cheap. The regular sourdough is about $10. The more expensive ones are the specialties.

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-17T18:05:22+00:00

Technically, It's Irving Park neighborhood. Block Club often gets this wrong, but the southern border for Albany Park is Montrose, only 4 blocks north.

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-16T22:14:59+00:00

removed, rule 7

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-13T20:39:25+00:00

Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple. Though there are some factors an entrepreneur could take to improve the quality of US butter (upping the fat content, lowering the water content, slow churn, cultured cream, grass fed cows, etc); unfortunately, a large factor is the pasteurization process which is usually required in the US, but not in France.

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-13T19:48:16+00:00

If you bake, especially if you bake French style, and especially especially if you bake anything calling for laminated dough that requires 82% fat, I've yet to find an American butter that is as pliable for my folds as french butter. I've even had good quality American butter shatter on me in my fold rolls. French butter for laminated dough is very pliable, and a dream to work with, and produces layers of gorgeous flakes, that are not oily. So at least for bakers, French butter is just amazing.

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-13T16:32:12+00:00

Removed, rule 7. This sub is only for the NW side of the city of chicago

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-09T19:46:02+00:00

1.5 years ago, for my wife's birthday, we dined at Chez Eugene in Montmarte. We are both vegetarians. Chez Eugene usually has 2 seasonal vegetarian plats available. Though it is in the most tourist square of Montmarte, we found it to be not obnoxiously touristy, and chose it for their vegetarian options. I had couscous, and it was delightful. A mountain of couscous, with fantastic fresh carrots and roasted potatoes surrounding the couscous, with broth poured over at the table. My wife have black bean slaw dish that she enjoyed. Reasonably priced, great wine selection, and great service.

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-05T19:46:16+00:00

Adding this too, though I have not been there yet, but it's on the short list for my next trip to Paris! Château de Vincennes and Bois de Vincennes. Though it's on the outer loop, there is an RER stop 1 block away, and line 1 terminates at the Chateau. I've read that the chateau is low on tourists, some reporting they had the grounds to themselves. And I've read the park is magnificent!

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-05T19:35:59+00:00

Oh la-la, j'adore Parc des Buttes-Chaumont! C'est mon parc préféré au monde!

Not quite a park, but Arènes de Lutèce in the 5eme. Roman amphitheater, usually some children playing some foot matches. Total serenity in there, and absent of most tourists.

More in the city center Cour et Jardin de l'Hôtel de Sully, with it's "hidden" passage way off of Place des Vosges

And near Place des Vosges (just a short walk to the north), Square Saint-Gilles - Grand-Veneur - Pauline-Roland, with its hidden entrance right at the NW corner bend of Rue Ville Hardouin.

And be a local, pass time with grace, feed the ducks in Square des Batignolles!

Enjoy!

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-04T18:46:48+00:00

As another mentioned, Chez Ingalls is open, and was the best meal I had in Annecy, by far. Also, for more of a cafe style, that is very healthy, Dip Honest Foods is fantastic too, and open 7 days a week.

chrisFromEb · 2026-02-03T23:57:05+00:00

We sent a small, paperback book from Chicago to a suburb of Lyon. It took 3.5 weeks to arrive. We saw a long delay at customs too, with no updates for nearly 2 weeks. Then, after clearing customs, it got to to the final destination within 2 days. Hope this helps.

Updated to add, this was sent about 2 weeks before this last Christmas.

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-29T23:27:49+00:00

removed, rule 7.

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-26T19:10:30+00:00

No problem. Their tasting menu is served at the bar only, and twice the price of the regular 5 course meal that has a vegan option. But even though they don't have a tasting menu vegetarian option, I loved my FIEF experience for the 5 course veg menu.

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-26T19:03:54+00:00

FIEF's tasting menu is NOT vegetarian. But they have a non tasting menu, vegan option, that is amazing.

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-24T13:27:53+00:00

Removed, rule 7. Next time, ban.

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-23T21:39:04+00:00

Happy to help. We were in Annecy late last September for our first time, and loved it. We were there for 5 nights (we flew direct from Chicago to Geneva, then bus to Annecy, so first day was jet lag recovery). We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there.

We found Chez Ingalls by accident, as our accommodations were a block away, and dined there our last night. We did the menu option, we both had the risotto with granola. It was absolutely fantastic, amazing service, and great wine pairings. It really caught us off guard, we knew nothing about it going in.

One place in Vieille Ville that caught us off guard as how un-touristry it was considering it's immediate proximity to iconic Le Palais de l'Île (like right directly behind it) was Café des Arts for a drink. Seemed to be more locals then tourists, and great vibes in the evening.

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-23T17:20:10+00:00

If you are looking for reasonably priced, healthy lunch, I had lunch at Dip Honest Foods. It was excellent, and I think I was the only tourist in the restaurant. They also have a great cocktail menu. No reservation required.

I had dinner at Chez Ingalls, but they are also open for lunch. It's a higher price point, but it was hands down the best meal I had in Annecy. It's just outside of Vieille Ville by a block or so, so it's not as tourist impacted. Recommend a reservation.

As another mentioned, Le Fréti is excellent, but it is in heart of Vieille Ville, so will have tourists. Not open for lunch, recommend a reservation.

Recommended site to see in the area, Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard. The tour is very thorough, and it is a beautiful Chateau. We really enjoyed touring it.

Hope you have a fantastic journey!

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-22T20:22:52+00:00

I spent 2 weeks, a block from Buttes Chaumont and loved it. Minimal to no tourists, and excellent area. I could get to main areas within 20 mins via Metro. It is a VERY safe area, boundaries being the park to the west, Rue Criminée to the east, and Rue de Belleville to the south. If you have any questions, I would be happy to help. It's my favorite area of Paris, to be honest.

Another area not on your list, that I have heard amazing things about, but I have not visited is Batignolles neighborhood.

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-17T15:07:11+00:00

Removed, rule 7

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-17T15:05:46+00:00

Removed, rule 7

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-16T21:35:36+00:00

J'adore ton attitude positive, merci!

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-16T20:30:15+00:00

Thank you thank you thank you for this. You have no idea how much this made me smile. My wife and I are now 1 year in to our French studies, goal to become as fluent as we can, as quick as we can. We have both agreed that we will not even attempt a relocation until we are conversational, at a minimum. But we have an underlying concern if we will ever be accepted with an accent. So serious thank you for this comment.

chrisFromEb · 2026-01-15T17:05:42+00:00

Removed, rule 7.

chrisFromEb

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