Friday Links

We are gripped in the throes of World Cup fever around these parts. The German team are my guys, but it's been great to see Italy and the USA doing so well so far. (SO FAR, ragazzi.) Hugo even has his very own soccer ball now (he turned two last week and the ball was his birthday present from his German grandparents) and has taken to tucking it into bed with him and other hilarities.

Now I know it's been so long since I've done one of these, but there's just been so much good stuff around recently that I couldn't resist.

First of all, this article on thriving Paris bistros made me happy. So much good stuff to bookmark for future visits (make sure to read the comments, too).

This essay on Noma was an interesting read (via Sam Sifton).

Rachel wrote beautifully and evocatively about her visit to the Anna Tasca Lanza cooking school. I was supposed to have been on the trip, but Hugo got very sick at the last minute, foiling my plans. Regret, I have nothing but regret! (He was scary sick. But still!)

How to use up every last leafy green in your fridge.

Famous chefs from around the world flew to New York in April to cook a surprise birthday dinner for Wylie Dufresne. Best birthday ever? I think I would have cried.

Genius: How to salvage bad glazed doughnuts.

I still need to tell you about Diana Henry's incredible new book, A Change of Appetite. This gorgeously vibrant recipe from the book is just a hint of all the good things she's come up with.

Oh, and did you have a fancy wedding cake? I'm writing about Peggy Porschen (and attempting one of her cakes) for my column in the September issue of Harper's Bazaar Germany and now all I can think about are handmade fondant flowers and piped buttercream.

Have a great weekend, everyone. I'll be practicing rosettes!