Old question, so you may have found your piccolos already, but in case you havent...
Cost Plus World Market carries a bunch of european candies, you might try there.

I agree that it depends on the nature of the violation. Sometimes they really do write you up for nonsense. Sprinkle parsley on a dish with your bare hands? Thats a violation. But then again there are some violations that are pretty serious. If your favorite restaurant got red flagged with a "highly hazardous" rating, I would reconsider eating there.

Because you just dont know what is lurking in their walk-in, or how they are really handling the food.

Consider this: One restaurant I looked up got a "spotless" rating, but this very same restaurant not long ago served me food with a roach in it. What one has to do to get a "hazardous" rating I cant imagine. I guess that COULD work both ways, and a clean restaurant could get shafted on an inspection, but personally, I dont know that I would risk it.

And thanks for posting the site, now I'm checking out all my haunts!

Have multiple cards you can pull cash from in case the local machines are finniky about one or the other. Also, I tend to use my debit over there since the fees arent as high as my regular credit cards. That said, its nice to have those extra cards around when the debit card doesnt work in a given machine.

I will second traveling light. And have a suitcase with the little rollerblade style wheels.

Wear the most comfy walking shoes you possibly can get. Many areas of Europe have cobblestone streets, and it can be murder on your feet after a few days of sightseeing.

Use a passport wallet and keep it securely attached to your person. And have a few photocopies, just in case.

I would brush up on my French if I was going to Paris. The French seem less inclined to English than in Amsterdam, where its fairly common.

Brian Carter makes a Port-style wine called Opulento. Its somewhat limited but keep your eyes open and you will see it around. Its delicious!

Have to agree with George on this one, I havent had a decent Bagel since I left the East Coast...And I would kill for a good Bialy!!

Cost Plus World Market carries Neideregger brand, which is some of the finest stuff available, IMO. Check out the Neideregger website for a dose of Marzipan Porn!

http://www.niederegger.de/en/index.php

If you are into cake decorating, Wilton has a series of books called "The Wilton Way of Cake Decorating". They are pretty awesome, if you are into that type of thing, they are worth seeking out. Abebooks online may have them. I know I'm not answering your question here, but thought you may be interested.

Not really a side dish, but some fried chicken is what you need with your mac n cheese...or a BLT. Anything with bacon in it, really will go great. And a tall glass of beer to wash it down, Newcastle Brown, Mirror Pond, or maybe a Guinness?

Tasting shitty Ice Cream is your rightful punishment for buying a dessert item which has "Soy" in the title. You must eat it all. Every last bite, and when you are through, go get a pint of Ben and Jerrys Chubby Hubby and relish the difference. You will never make that mistake again I guarantee...

All these "gourmet" foodie trucks have yet to move me...Meh. Tacos El Asadero on Rainier is the SHIT!! It is everything a food truck is supposed to be, which is: cheap food that is also killer. Go git some tacos and dont forget to put a few bucks in the tip jar...