While I often scold my nephews on their spelling mistakes, they, in turn, introduce me to wonderful new places. God bless young people! And last week my trendy nephew Alex took me to his brand new sports club at 21 rue Blanche and we had lunch in the garden at BB. The chef Jean Imbert has recently opened “Encore” in … Read More
“Joia” or tears, I have not decided yet.
Everything was irritating about my experience at Joia, (Joy in Basque), the new Hélène Darroze restaurant located at the heart of “branchitude” just behind the Bourse, on rue des Jeûneurs (literally Fasting men). When I called, I was told I could only have lunch at 12 pm or 1.30 pm. So annoying this double service habit! So 1.30 pm is … Read More
Les Marches, a lovely bistrot in the XVI th
A dear friend asked me to book her a table near Fondation Yves saint Laurent so I decided I would test for her Les Marches, a bistrot that had been recommended to me all summer long. It is not new at all, but has a divine quality: it is very amicable and simple, and really cheap for the area, … Read More
Lunch at Le Lutetia
Le Lutetia has become, over the years, the place to meet for writers and publishers but also to give interviews for actresses and producers. It is conveniently located at corner of Bd Raspail and rue de Sèvres, one block from the Bon Marché and Hermès, and it is the only five star hotel in the Latin quarter. So as soon … Read More
From Provins to Joigny, a fun balade near Paris
The first week end in August is dreaded by all French drivers who fear les “bouchons”, traffic jams, created by millions of vacationers, but if you decide to take small roads to go south, it’s a dream. I spent a week end between Provins, a medieval town 90 mins south east of Paris and was invited to lunch in Joigny, … Read More
Summer treats in Paris
Paris can become pretty dreary in August when everything closes down but there are also special summer treats to be found. I went to the “Palazzo“, the terrace in front of Palais de la Porte dorée which features a great exhibition of photographs of gipsies (until August 26) and on Wednesday nights you get a free drink and a guided tour … Read More
Maison Astor, a discreet hotel with history
The new Maison Astor, on rue d’Astorg in Paris has a motto. Friendliness and charm. The bar is called the “club” and serves real food and cocktails at a reasonable price, the dining room has special lunch menus for 39€ and a glass roof open on the 131 rooms of this Haussmanian house built in Proust’s times across the street … Read More
A classical bistrot with charm
I was complaining last week end to members of Club des Cent, a very exclusive French association of gourmets founded in 1912, that there were no real bistrots left in Paris, when one of them told me about Café Max. A place where you can bring anyone, for a confortable dinner with good service, nice white tablecloth and traditional cooking … Read More