Pousse-Pousse

Pousse-Pousse is a little jewel-box of a boutique in the 9th arrondissement, nested in the charming Notre-Dame-de-Lorette area. The warm red walls, the huge mirrors, the dramatic crystal chandelier, the golden arcades and the antique Chinese furniture make you feel like you’re stepping into the oriental boudoir of some hip duchess. But Pousse-Pousse is really a place devoted to organic and “live” food, in multiple, inventive and fun ways. First of all, Pousse-Pousse provides you with everything you need to easily create your own sprouted seeds garden: different types of sprouters and over 70 different kinds of seeds, sold on their own (alfalfa, sunflower, radish, broccoli, lentil, mustard, chickpea…) or in mixes. Each have specific aims and poetic names: “Plein Soleil” to prepare your skin for the sun, “Ménage de Printemps” for a spring detox, “Taille Mannequin” to make you lean, “Amour Toujours” for an aphrodisiac effect… More importantly, the adorable and lively shopkeepers, Lawrence and Hanifa, will give you all the advice you need to start your batches. Discover the thrill and excitement of growing your own delicious little sprouts, and happily adorn salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, or anything else that strikes your fancy. You don’t feel quite the kitchen-gardener or lack the necessary time? Fret not, Pousse-Pousse also sells trays of fully grown sprouts, and an array of other interesting and unusual products to liven up your cooking. How about serving your amazed guests pre-dinner nibbles of mini-toasts spread with seaweed tartare or lentil caviar? Pousse-Pousse is also the place to eat a quick and delicious lunch: take your pick among the vegetable quiches, sprouts salads, and yummy little cakes, all organic and excellent — also available to go. And would you like a fresh herb juice with that? Hanifa will harvest your choice of grass (barley or kamut) from the lush mini-fields on the counter, feed it into a magic juicer, and serve you a shot glass of “Gazon Béni”, a bright green frothy drink, full of nutrients and oxygen and chlorophylle. Take advantage of the Happy Hour, every day from 5 to 7 pm! Pousse-Pousse is also a collection point for the fantastic Campanier service (the French equivalent of CSA — Community Supported Agriculture), to which you can subscribe and get a weekly seasonal basket of organic fruits and vegetables, complete with an info letter and great recipes. And that is not all. Pousse-Pousse also offers weekly cooking classes, held in the large high-ceilinged kitchen at the back. The classes revolve around varying themes, and are given by different teachers, including a young and talented French woman chef, a naturopath, and a Belgian chef who specializes in live food and low temp cooking. There is even a germination workshop, to learn about all the secrets of sprouts. The classes are fun, instructive and lively — and if the weather is nice, you can hang out in the cute little courtyard. So pay Pousse-Pousse a visit. Lawrence and Hanifa will be happy to chat with you, so you’re sure to leave with your share of their enthusiasm and a spring in your step!   Pousse-Pousse7 rue Notre-Dame de Lorette75009 Paris01 53 16 10 81Métro Notre-Dame de Lorette   In her column “A Parisian Home Chef,” native Parisian Clotilde Dusoulier happily shares recipes, food shopping bonnes adresses, entertaining tips and restaurant recommendations. Read more of her writing on her gastronomic blog, Chocolate & Zucchini.