your guide to everything paris

Bienvenue à Paris

Welcome to Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to Montmartre, the Marais and beyond, this blog will give you the necessary information to experience the city like a true Parisian.

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Graeme Bent Dishes!

images-2I recently sat down with the owner of Joe Allen Paris, Graeme Bent, to discuss ‘brunch’, bistros, et beaucoup de choses Paris!

Joe Allen’s, going on its 38th anniversary, opened its doors in New York City, and succesfully defined the meal between breakfast and lunch, or as it has been coined ‘brunch’.  The restaurant stands as the quintessential New York meeting spot, and has managed to bring a corner of New York to Paris, London, and Miami. Graeme, having worked for Joe for many years, first working at his restaurants in both New York and Canada, took over the Paris location 16 years ago. Joe Allen’s is the expat hot spot, serving the best hamburgers in the city of lights.

“The restaurant has adapted to appeal to its french customers, but the New York vibe is none the less cooked into every meal. A favorite of mine, the Saturday and Sunday brunch, remains to be the formula: fried eggs, bacon, pancakes and potatoes with rosemary, or one with smoked salmon, fresh cheese and a toasted bagel. The package also includes a glass of fruit juice, American coffee, tea or chocolate, and a large plate of sweet and savory specialties.”

Just when this city couldn’t get any better!

Living in the 10th arrondisement, with his wife, two children, and the most recent addition, Estragon the cat, Graeme has come to inhabit some unique spots!

“I really enjoy Le Martel, a new style bistro, just down the block. It serves up North African French fusion, and is tucked away. A place always buzzing with cool creative types.”

after doing some research i found Le Martel to be just that! Opened by an ex-waiter of the 404, Le Martel, hardly appears from the outside, though the food proves other wise.

Le Martel: 3 Rue Martel, 10th, M° Château-d’Eau, ☎ 01 47 70 67 56. Open for lunch Monday through Friday, for dinner Monday through Saturday. Reservations recommended.

“I can always count on Brasserie Julien, for a traditional and elegant Parisian meal. Its history in every bite, from the food to the decor, its like a trip back in time.” I recommend the crepe Suzette, it takes some time, so order ahead for dessert!”

Brasserie Julien, from the Flo group,is straight from the era of art-nouveau decor. It is a traditionnel menu with traditionnel service and the beautiful historic setting will mesmerize.

Brasserie Julien: 16 Rue du Faubourg St-Denis, 10th, M° Strasbourg Saint Denis, ☎ 01.47.70. 12.06


Whether you stop by some of Graeme’s favorites or Joe Allen’s the experience is bound to be of excellence!

Joe Allen Paris

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Restaurant Bar

30 rue Pierre Lescot

75001 Paris

Open every day 12 to 2am!images

Nov 21, 2009 | Categories: Restaurants / Food | Tags: , , , , | Leave A Comment »

Merci!

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What exactly does it feel like to do guilt-free shopping?

This euphoric experience can be found at Paris’s newest concept store Merci, the store that dontates a portion of its proceeds to aid poor women and children in Madagascar. Conceived by Marie-France and Bernard Cohen, founders of the renowned children’s clothing line Bonpoint, this whimsical boutique was “born of a dream”. Merci’s mission is combining fashion with charity; vintage with design; and custom creations with the accessible.

Merci, located in a 3 story loft in the 3rd arrondisement, leads your mind to all sorts of imaginations. As you move throughout the intriguing mix of merchandise and now designs, such as Baccarat chandliers, vintage treasures, delicate jewlery, innovative kitchen chairs, and Stella McCartney creations, you find yourself wandering, in both mind and body. Some pieces are vintage, while others are brand new and either come from current collections or have been designed just for the store.

Part-loft, part-library, part-garden, the space is defined by a simplicity that balances elegance with playfulness. In addition, Merci also includes a café  and a restaurant on the lower level.  Amidst sipping tea and browsing the racks of contemporary french labels, you may even find your self filling your own bottles with perfume from Annick Goutal. The thing to remember is that designers who are offering their goods on sale here are foregoing their profits, so all the brand new items will cost you around 30% less than the normal sale price.

Shopping or  just browsing, nonetheless you have found yourself a lovely afternoon!

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Merci, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris 75003. Tel: 01.42.77.00.33. Métro Saint Sébastien-Froissart (ligne 8)

Off to England for the weekend therefore: (photos courtesy of tara bradford photogrpahy)

by: SOFIA NEBIOLO

Oct 28, 2009 | Categories: Culture | Tags: , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

“Paris is also a bit less abnormal than the other big centers”

Vassiliki Tsekoura

Vassiliki Tsekoura

This week, and this week only,  the contemporary art world takes over Paris, in the 36th edition of FIAC!

The International Contemporary Art Fair (Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporian) occurs from October 20th to the 25th, bringing together 196 galleries specializing in modern and contemporary art. You can see this extrordinary display at the Grand Palais, the Cour Carrée of the Louvre Museum and in the Tuileries Gardens. One of the highlights of FIAC 2009 will be an unprecedented project resulting from the collaboration of 10 of the world’s most prestigious galleries specialising in modern art. Presented in a space of approximately 300m2 designed by the architect Jean-François Bodin (reputed for his work at the Centre Pompidou) and situated in the heart of the Grand Palais, each gallery will exhibit two or three exceptional works from the modern period, composing an ensemble of approximately twenty works of undisputed museum quality and historic significance. It is expected around  65,000 visitors are to visit the stands. Prices range from around 1,000 euros for smaller works to tens of thousands for well-established modern artists and up to several million for global stars. So don’t forget to bring your check book!

Not in your budget? Don’t worry most who attend, come to look, not to buy!

Please visit http://www.fiac.com for the complete list
of FIAC 2009 exhibitors, including the 14 galleries selected by a
board composed of curators.

BY: SOFIA NEBIOLO

Oct 22, 2009 | Categories: Events | Tags: , , , , | Leave A Comment »

Curiosity Killed The Cat: Curio Parlor

Finally the Left Bankers don’t need to cross the river for a fabulous night out! This hidden gem, located in the Latin Quarter most exclusively known for its tourists and crowds, opens its doors to a sophisticated crowd, with a sense of funk. From the same owners of Experimental Cocktail Club, their newest “speakeasy rive gauche” establishment, Curio Parlor, has opened its doors. Located behind a big black metal door few Parisians even know it exists. If you are looking for a vodka tonic, you’re in the wrong place, my friend, for this bar has taken the elevated art of the cocktail to new heights – from Strawberry Fields decorated with fresh squeezed berries and mint to my personal favorite, Pims Curio, the mixology is serious. It’s not only the drinks we are raving about. The taxidermy animals, the Art Deco vibe, and one of the best mixes of music I’ve heard in a while, proves Curio has it down.  The ground floor is centered around a fantastic vintage bar with plush nooks hidden by velvet curtains to sink into and whisper. The downstairs equip with a second bar and DJ booth caters to the late night parties. Make sure to stop by before the tourists take it over and we have to hide out somewhere new!

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BY: SOFIA NEBIOLO

Oct 22, 2009 | Categories: Nightlife | Tags: , , , , | Leave A Comment »

Parisian Markets: A Dying Art?

marche des enfants rougesBY SOFIA NEBIOLO

Once a symbol of Paris, the open air markets, seem to have less and less of a presence. Although they still exist! I SWEAR. I stress to you, lets keep the market alive. Allow your eyes, ears and nose experience the explosion of smells and colors within a four-meter radius, a feeling unlike any other.

The emergence of the ready to eat generation has played a great roll in the style in which we eat and obtain our food. With the expansion of Carrefour and Monoprix throughout Paris the accessibility of produce is much easier. But we are talking about the experience here, aren’t we? From fresh brie to delectable homemade pasta the possibilities are endless. The joys of the markets are the interactions, this is lost among the aisles of the big cold supermarket. There are still famous markets that exsist and can be found throughout Paris.

Just last weekend I found myself amidst the crowds at Marche des Enfants Rouges. Named after the red uniform worn by the children who used to live in the former orphanage located here, it is one of the oldest markets in Paris, and has now become quite the place to grab a delicious yet reasonable brunch. There are about seven different cuisines to dine on each having at least four or more wooden tables and benches. From Lebanese, Italian, Japanese and Cajun, your mouth will be watering. The atmosphere is hectic and alive, bringing you back to the real roots of Paris.

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Marché des enfants rouges
Open Tuesday-Saturday 8.30am – 1pm and 4pm-7.30pm; Sunday 8.30am-2pm.
39 rue de Bretagne, 3rd
Metro Arts-et-Métiers or Temple

Oct 22, 2009 | Categories: Culture, Restaurants / Food | Tags: , , | Leave A Comment »