Laurel Sanderson was one of the founders of the wildly successful Sugarplum Cake Shop and was the heart, soul, and sunshine of their tea salon… We were all sad when she left the Paris baking/eatery scene, but that didn’t last long! She’s baaaaaaack! And she has created her own little place that is full of her contagious and addictive charm and warm cheerful hospitality, serving up her fantastic recipes for lunch and brunch, and that amazing carrot cake she is so well known for.

Treize
16 rue des Saints Pères 75007
Reservations are great! 01 73 77 27 89

I told her that she has a knack for finding great spaces in Paris. And it seems to revolve around courtyards. It may well be that there is something about courtyards that stimulates Laurel’s creative process. Because her new place, like her former bakeshop, is juxtaposed to a courtyard (well, actually it’s IN the courtyard), and it is what brings about all the photogenic charm and cozy inviting nature of her space. Laurel said to me that when she first saw the space, it was nothing but a dark empty garage and wasn’t even on the market for rent, but she was able to imagine all the possibilities it could have, and convinced herself and the landlord to go for it. And I am so glad she did. The result (after many months of design, work, decoration and preparation) is perfect.

Laurel reigns over her space in her open kitchen, behind the bar, baking and chopping all while conversing over the (hand-made) counter top with clients, not missing a beat. She is the ultimate host. I went to visit her in her new space and she kept up the most wonderful, charming chatter all while holding an animated eye contact between me and occasionally looking at the perfectly rolled out pie crusts she was working on. I was impressed. She designed the entire space with a clear idea of how convivial and interactive she wanted to be with her guests (I say guests, because Laurel treats every person who comes through the door as a welcomed guest, an not just another lunch client). Her bubbly interaction is so inviting and friendly.

While you enjoy the wonderful vintage-industrial-ish-old-Paris decore while nibble your home-made pie, you also get to oggle the gorgeous chandelier from one of the neighboring antique shops who felt it would be better to put it on display in a lovely place like Treize, than to let it just sit amongst a slew of other crystal lamps. The result is a perfect balance in the color and style of the restaurant. It adds just a glimmer of glamour that makes Treize oh so Parisian, in the heart of this very special quarter of the city of lights.

Treize features specialty teas, blended exclusively for this one restaurant. I tried the carrot cake blend. Oooooooooh myyyyy! You must go in for a bit…of both, the tea and the cake!

As soon as I can get in there for a meal, I will put up an entire review for you all, but I warn you, it will be a shining review. It is to be expected from someone with a track record like Laurel’s and with a giant heart to match! Stop in to see her, try her home-baked delicious food, and say I sent you. She’ll be thrilled!