A cave à manger is a wine shop with food, and opening one was the dream of Camille Fourmont, proprietor of La Buvette in Paris. Starting in late 2018, I got to know Camille well while working with her on this beautiful book.

A tiny shop in the 11th arrondissement, La Buvette is a place of perfectly mismatched tables and chairs (some rescued from a bistro that went out of business in the Loire Valley), and simple food served on plates from flea markets. Part of its charm is that it exists at all: How many people have dreamed of quitting their office job to work in a beautiful shop, pouring wines they love and being their own boss?

Camille made this daydream a reality. The story isthe core of La Buvette: Recipes and Wine Notes from Paris.

Camille and I hiding the fact we’re wearing the same jumpsuit.

Bookshop

Amazon

Overheard//

“Live like a Parisian, and you'll know what bliss is. At least, that's the idea behind La Buvette, a cookbook from the owners of the wine shop/bar by the same name in Paris that gives you the know-how to host and eat and laugh like you're in a café on a cobbled street, surrounded by cigarette-smoking friends and carafes of wine, soaking in the early-fall sun before it sets beyond the Seine.”—Sarah Rense, Ten Best Cookbooks of 2020 So Far, Esquire

“The style and the relaxed vibe of La Buvette is exactly what I'm looking for, and I'm hoping to achieve it here at home with a little help from Fourmont's cookbook.”—Seira Wilson, The Amazon Book Review

“Being a restaurateur is not, as many think, a glamorous profession. In her book, Camille reminds us of why we do it. Because luck found us, and gave us something we adore to take over our lives. This book is for everyone who dreams about falling in love with daily life."—Gilbert Pilgram, executive chef-owner of Zuni Café

“La Buvette is a glimpse into the intimate universe of Camille Fourmont—part sommelier, part curator, part chef, part artist, and master of the complex art of hospitality.”—Chad Robertson, baker/owner of Tartine and author of Tartine Bread

“What Camille is doing in Paris is amazing. Her book shows us that keeping it simple, trying new wines, and making food that’s direct is all we need for a great experience. She is an inspiration.”—Andrew Tarlow, owner of The Marlow Collective

“Camille has said she does not consider herself a chef, but she is my favorite chef in the world. I'm excited for the essence of La Buvette to be shared with the world!”—Danny Bowien, chef and co-founder of Mission Chinese Food