FROM THE STREET | ARTISAN | CULTURE ET AL. | HOSPITALITY

Purity in Hospitality

Heartfelt hospitality provides the ambiance for which beauty of all forms may be illuminated. Its essence is comprised of an incomparable level of sincerity in which guests are folded into the natural rhythms of another’s existence, regardless of location or personal familiarity. Genuine delight is found as the elements that deliver happiness to others, while simultaneously a joyful experience that is mutually “inclusive,” is curated. It is a practiced art that can only originate with purity of intention. A recent discovery of a “jewel box” of a French patisserie in the seaside town of La Jolla provided the unique treasure of the experience that encapsulated the epitome of hospitality. Enthusiasm to create a moment of contentment for the delight of others can be felt at the core of Parisien Gourmandises and it is without doubt that the proprietress does so with focused intent.

A Beautiful Milieu

Guests are welcomed with the resplendent aromas that emit each morning from the industrious ovens baking their contribution of the day’s unique menu. Just as the most luxurious famed department stores create window displays that are intended to delight all who stop to gaze, the same is true of the glass cases that serve as the focal point that greet guests upon the entrance. A feast for the eyes , each is thoughtfully arranged with a diverse assortment of impeccably prepared traditional and seasonal breakfast pastries, lunch savouries and exquisite desserts that are skilfully created in-house by trained artisans. A beehive of productive activity abounds in line’s sight, yet each customer is equally treated with patient attention as they make what can be a difficult decision by virtue of the many enticing and ever changing selections. Traditional French marble finished bistro sets, framed by the backdrop of elegant wall paper indoors and also set amidst the charm of the neighbourhood sidewalk outdoors, create a thoughtful ambiance that encourages each guest, wether solo or in the company of friends and family, to pause and savour in the moment.

Cultural Connection as Luxury

The epicurean delights, lovely aesthetics and attentive service make a visit to Parisien Gourmandises a rarified luxury completely counterintuitive to the uniformity that as a society we have been habituated to almost demand as part of our rapid daily routines. The experience in entirety is a welcomed respite that encourages contentment by existing in the present. The ultimate luxury, though, and one that must be attributed to genuine hospitality as expressed through heartfelt graciousness and sharing curated elements of beauty, is the rarified connection amidst a culturally diverse aggregation of guests. It is as if a higher level of decorum is naturally fostered and equally reciprocated as one is immersed in the most thoughtful of details that are both welcoming and possess an elevated level of excellence that one could go as far to describe as “gorgeous.” It is a wonderful reminder that at our core is a shared connection in which each of us appreciates thoughtfulness and the beauty found in the simple pleasures of life. This is the lingering gift that remains long after exiting this little coastal treasure and one that we may all strive to share with others….