The area around the Quai St-Bernard at the edge of Paris’ Latin Quarter is strikingly contemporary– in contrast to most of the 5th arrondissement, where the Gallo-Roman, medieval and Haussmannian past is evidenced […]
Food
Inside Le Train Bleu, One of the Most Beautiful Restaurants in Paris
During the heyday of train travel in the late nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries, rail stations in major cities were places where wealthy travelers showed off their status and prestige. Le Train Bleu, a […]
How English Aristocrats Helped Birth Bubbly, & Other Tidbits of Champagne History
There’s something deceptively timeless about raising a toast over a glass of champagne (or some other form of sparkling white wine). It’s easy to imagine that “bubbly” has always been associated with festive […]
Inside Maison Julien, the Bakery Awarded Best Baguette in Paris This Year
It’s an annual tradition that’s certainly not taken lightly. Every year since 1994, a panel of judges gathers in the French capital to select the best baguette in Paris. The judges range from […]
Why Brittany Butter is Salted (& Coveted): A Bit of History
My partner and I almost always have a block of salted Brittany butter in the fridge, and usually there’s a “backup” somewhere in the freezer, too. Why? There’s simply something addictive about its […]
Brewing Something New: Some of the Best Coffee in Paris
It’s starting to feel like a routine to note that Paris has been getting significantly better at producing things it was once mediocre at. Craft beer, cocktail bars, cupcakes and friendly customer service […]
In Review: Clover Green, for an Elegant but Relaxed Meal in Paris’ Saint-Germain
It can be surprisingly difficult to find a “traditional” French restaurant in the capital that offer reasonable fixed-priced menus and thoughtfully presented, delicious dishes. But this is precisely what you’ll find at Clover Green, […]
Paris Cocktail Week: Sample the City’s Most Creative Drinks
Cocktails haven’t always been a strong suit in the French capital. Just a few years ago, procuring a decent mixed drink– much less a thoughtfully created and beautifully presented one– posed a bit […]
Inside the Wine Museum in Paris (Musée du Vin)
Aside from the humble baguette, there is perhaps no other staple more common in French homes than the bottle of wine. Parisians have the luxury of choosing among hundreds of different varieties of […]
Best Places for Brunch in Paris: Our Picks
It’s not always easy to find a decent brunch in Paris– or anywhere, for that matter. These days, brunch seems to be a bit hit-or-miss in the capital. Either the food isn’t quite […]
Japanese Paris: The Best Restaurants & Grocers Around Rue Sainte-Anne
While most tourists with a taste for gourmet experiences come to Paris to try French food, a few know that the city harbors its fair share of excellent Japanese restaurants, grocers and casual […]
How (& Where) to Enjoy Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Tastings in Paris
The French may not celebrate Thanksgiving, but on the third Thursday of November they find something of their own to be thankful for: wine. To be specific, the yearly vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau, an unpretentious, […]
Parisian Legends: Interview with Patrick Roger, France’s Own Willy Wonka
As this goes to press, the Salon du Chocolat is gearing up for another run in Paris–an annual trade show devoted to the art (and enjoyment) of chocolate. To celebrate the irresistible stuff […]
Inside L’Officine Universelle Buly, a 19th-Century-Style Paris Apothecary
I’ve always been a bit skeptical of the apothecary trend. It’s generally struck me as a marketing ploy to raise the perceived value or originality of products and crank up their prices– irrespective […]
Summery Indulgence: 4 Places I Recommend for Ice Cream & Gelato in Paris
A small confession: I’m not someone you can really trust with a pint of ice cream left in the freezer. If it’s there, it’s pretty certain I’ll eat it– and often too much […]
In Review: The Ice Kube Bar in Paris (Gimmick or Intriguing Night Out?)
Featuring Siberian temperatures, surreal bunker-like surroundings that might remind you of Superman’s icy lair, and a jetset-aspiring clientele, the Ice Kube bar at Paris’ Kube Hotel claims to offer a singular nightlife experience. […]
In Review: Breizh Café & Cider Bar, for Creative Cocktails & Bréton Nibbles
Bréton-style savory pancakes and cocktails: if the combination sounds a bit odd, that’s because it is. But as I recently discovered, it can also be an eye-opening and delicious one. At the Breizh […]
In Review: Fou de Pâtisserie, a Parisian Pastry Shop for the Indecisive
Strolling down Rue des Martyrs, a stretch of Paris’ South Pigalle that packs more gourmet power in a single street than most entire neighborhoods do, I noticed a patisserie that was clearly out […]
The 5 Best Places for Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: Bars & More in the City Center
Last summer, I spent a little under six weeks living and working in Bordeaux, as I prepared to write a local guide. Like almost everyone, I knew coming in that the capital of […]
In Review: Café Craft, a Canal St-Martin Haven in Paris
Editor’s Note: Sadly, this business has permanently closed. See our guide to the best coffee in Paris for more ideas on where to head. Nestled on Rue des Vinaigriers just off of the […]