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About Craig Carlson

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New York Times bestselling author Craig Carlson first came to France as an exchange student in 1985 and instantly fell in love with the country. He never could have imagined that some thirty-five years later he’d be the owner of two American diners in Paris and be nicknamed “Le Pancake Kid” by the French. With a background in journalism, Craig studied cinema at the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts, using his experience as a screenwriter to pen his debut memoir, Pancakes in Paris: Living the American Dream in France. He continued recounting his adventures as an entrepreneur in Paris in his follow-up book, Let Them Eat Pancakes: One Man’s Personal Revolution in the City of Light. Craig and his husband Julien currently split their time between Paris and Los Angeles.

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About the Books

Craig Carlson was the last person anyone would expect to open an American diner in Paris. He came from humble beginnings in a working-class town in Connecticut, had never worked in a restaurant, and didn’t know anything about starting a brand-new business. But from his first visit to Paris, Craig knew he had found the city of his dreams, although one thing was still missing-the good ol’ American breakfast he loved so much.

Pancakes in Paris is the story of Craig tackling the impossible-from raising the money to fund his dream to tracking down international suppliers for “exotic” American ingredients… and even finding love along the way. His diner, Breakfast In America, is now a renowned tourist destination, and the story of how it came to be is just as delicious and satisfying as the classic breakfast that tops its menu.

You can purchase the books here!

Visiting Paris soon and want to visit Craig’s restaurant? Visit Breakfast in America.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Learn to prepare authentic crêpes bretonnes with homemade salted butter caramel paired with salmon rillettes in this hands-on cooking class, taught in French. Beginners welcome!

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Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Join us for the opening of our Pascal Bonitzer Retrospective with the Boston premiere of Hugo (Victor comme tout le monde), starring the incomparable Fabrice Luchini.

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Wine Seminar: Les Vendanges! Celebrating the French Grape Harvest

GASTRONOMY & WINE PROGRAM: YOUR FRENCH CULINARY ARTS AND WINE JOURNEY

Thursday, September 17, 2026

An elegant wine education series exploring France’s most important regions through the lens of culture, tradition, and taste. Each class embraces a region and incorporates a book as a narrative guide - framing the wines, places, and people that shaped France’s enduring wine culture. Across the series, we’ll move through key French regions in a cohesive tasting journey, offering both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers a deeper, more intuitive understanding of French wine, guided by storytelling, expert insight, and shared conversation.

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