Again it was one of my nephews who recommended this original and unpretentious restaurant on rue Alexandre Dumas (you know the author of Les Trois Mousquetaires!) near boulevard Voltaire in the 11 th, the heart of Paris’ trendiness. I chose to invite young architect Leonie Mason who works nearby and happened to be intimate with the owners… A nice coincidence.
A beautiful dinner at Le Crillon
When my friends Caroline and Olivier asked where I would like to have dinner on this mild August evening, I told them I was dying to try the new restaurant at Hôtel de Crillon which has been closed for four years for restoration. With its 124 rooms and suites and remodeling of the 18 th century building by Gabriel, the … Read More
52, a number to remember
Thank God for my nieces who introduce me to their young world ! After tasting three different expensive, pretentious and bad restaurants recently, I had the most delicious lunch at « 52 », a new spot on Faubourg Saint Denis which replaced a butcher shop. The owner Charles Compagnon, is himself worth the visit: he lives upstairs above the restaurant with his German … Read More
Thaddaeus Ropac in Mayfair, and more London goodies
London is always full of news and this time, it was of Christie’s auctioneers reshufflings of their team and François Curiel being made chairman of Europe and based in Geneva. Thaddaeus Ropac, the dashing galerist established in Salzburg and Paris, opened his new super chic London house on Dover Street. And before visiting the very large David Hockney retrospective at Tate … Read More
Saturne, a dinner in outer space
Last summer, American friends who were staying at the Bristol were recommended this address by the concierge, but when we showed up for lunch, some very nice carpenter welcomed us in a complete construction site. I was very disappointed and forgot about it. It is not until my niece Océane, who works in the restaurant world, reminded me of Saturne, … Read More
Marzo, chic pizzas with extra charm
It was a divine surprise to end a busy evening at Musée Maillol, and step into Marzo, the pizzeria recommended by my faithful Florentine friends on rue Paul-Louis Courrier. I saw there the slightly disappointing Paul Rosenberg exhibition, « 21 rue la Boétie », based on Anne Sinclair’s biography of her grand father, the genius art dealer. There are some fabulous paintings by … Read More
La Régalade a win-win restaurant
When someone used to ask me for a cozy no fuss restaurant to go to, I would say la Rôtisserie near the Tour d’Argent and I knew I would get many thanks the next day. Since the owner redecorated the restaurant and changed the staff, it has become very disappointing, noisy, trendy, irritating although the food is still good. But … Read More
Valentine’s Day at the Châtelet with “Fantasio”
It was a fun occasion to discover the last works of restoration at Opéra Comique (which is reopening at the end of April) while tasting the raspberry love cake called « Favart » after the theatre’s founder’s name. Created by Le Nôtre to celebrate Valentine’s day and the new production of “Fantasio” by Offenbach, the cake will be served with … Read More