My long-time neighbor Patricia Wells is an American who has lived in Paris writing about French restaurants and cooking since 1980. As the

author of 11 books, most notably the Food Lover’s Guide to Paris, she also served as restaurant critic of L’Express and the International Herald Tribune.

I'm thriilled Patricia took time out of her schedule teaching cooking classes in Paris and Provence to share her favorite spots to eat and drink, which summer treats are in her fridge now that inspired her latest book idea, and the chefs she credits for teaching her as much about life as they did food.

What is your idea of a perfect day eating and drinking in Paris?

My perfect day eating and drinking would be very simple. After a run in the Luxembourg Gardens, I look forward to breakfast at home... a slice of Poilane toast topped with fresh goat cheese and heirloom La Merinda tomatoes with several cups of espresso. My favorite lunch is at the Bar de La Croix Rouge in the 6th who does a teriffic rare-beef sandwich (Assiette Saint Germain) and for dinner, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon is a "must" where I would be sure to have langoustines and a white Burgundy.    

What one food product/kitchen utensil can you not live without in your Paris kitchen?

Rustichella d'Abruzzo pasta! It saves me many an evening when I don't have time to cook.

What is the most delicious thing you have eaten recently in Paris, and where was it?

Guy Savoy's little bite of Parmesan waffle, filled with Parmesan cream and truffles. I've recreated them at home. How does he come up with these things?

Which restaurants do you find yourself drawn to as a "regular" and which restaurants do you find exciting right now ...

Fish, Epigramme, Guy Savoy, Au Bon Acceuil

Your favorite "classic" bistro and brasserie?

Bistro Paul Bert is our favorite bistro.  I have given up on brasseries where the food is always disappointing, except for Le Dome, which is more of a restaurant than a brasserie. I love going there for Sunday lunch and feasting on sole and sipping Quincy. 

When you are not traveling and spend a simple evening at home, what do you like to cook?

Pasta, pasta, pasta.

What is your favorite food city outside Paris?

San Francisco. I LOVE eating there, always great new ethnic discoveries.

What do you see as new food or drinking "trends" for 2010?

I don't care for trends, really. But I do see a continuing return to healthier eating and more respect for vegetables.

What inspires your cooking?

My garden, food markets, eating out and food magazines. I wake up each morning and can't wait to get to the kitchen and create. I get most excited when everything from a meal can come from my garden!

What are you cooking this week?

I am finishing up a book on black truffles, called Simply Truffles. I have fresh summer truffles, plus a freezer full of truffle salt, butter, minced truffles, truffle slices, truffle matchsticks that I froze in February. I'm also playing around with truffle juice (which I used to reject but now embrace) to perfect various sauces that use the juice, along with the liquid from plumping morels and cepes. I'm also going through the entire litany of seasonal fruits and creating sorbets. Last night was the best: Blackberry sorbet made with blackberries from our garden. We also have a bumper crop of zucchini so make a zucchini-ginger soup every other day and can even drink it for breakfast... it's a real vitamin pill.

What person, chef, restaurant or cookbook has inspired you the most?

Joel Robuchon, without a doubt. I still hear him whispering over my shoulder as I  cook. Like Julia Child, he taught me as much about life, and how to conduct yourself, as about food. I feel so fortunate to have them in my life as mentors. 

You can read more about her cooking classes and follow her food and travel adventures on her lively new blog: http://www.patriciawells.com