I like to indulge a little sometimes. I may not have a massive recreational budget, but I can treat myself occasionally to fun things like, hot chocolate at the Hotel Bristol, or chocolate cake at Buvette Gastrothèque. Both require a budget of around 20 euros or less, and I consider that a decent price to pay for a little winter indulging in the city of light! Read more →
Hotel Bristol’s Hot Chocolate & Buvette’s Chocolate Cake
Sunday Search for Late Brunch in the 20th
We had to head over to the 20th arrondissement this Sunday afternoon to pick up something we found on the Bon Coin website for bébé chéri who is arriving in just two months. And instead of making the trek over there just for this one transaction, we thought we would make a day of it. I was in a mood for brunch!
On our list of places to grab a fun brunch was the über trendy, very popular Mama Shelter, but when we dipped in to have a look at the restaurant, it looked dark, crowded, noisy and not the relaxing brunch/lunch we had imagined. Plus everyone seemed to be seated on tall stools, and my poor back can’t take that these days. So I promised myself we would head back there to take advantage of the terrace when the warmer months came back around if the opportunity provided itself. Read more →
Café de Flore – Can You Belive it was My First Time There!
Yeah, I know, well over 13 years in the City of Light and I cannot for the life of me remember having gone to the Café de FLore for a coffee or for anything, for that matter. Quel honte! Ok, well not really honte, but I was surprised at myself. I suppose I have just spent most of my café exploration energy on finding less touristy places in the city to indulge in. But speaking of touristy, I was delighted to find that the Café de Flore was not just jam-packed with tourists, there was an equal balance of Parisian natives who walked through those doors. Read more →
Coffee Talk : Terres de Café
Article by Melissa Ladd (English & français).
It’s no secret that coffee culture has made a big comeback in Paris with the opening of many little spots that aim to serve artisan coffee and to bring back the art of the barista. It’s also no secret that the expat communities have embraced these establishments as well. But we are also seeing the Parisians and French communities release their bitter Café Richard gulped in a rush at a Parisian brasserie counter, for the more indulgent idea of lounging at a coffee shop for a while. It’s a much more delightful way to savor the flavor and appreciate the different blends. For me it brings back many memories of my youthful days spent in Monterey California where coffee shops and flavor exploration was an almost daily agenda item.
Ce n’est plus un secret que la « coffee culture » est revenue en force à Paris avec l’ouverture de plein d’adresses qui veulent servir du café artisan et faire revivre l’art du barista. Ce n’est plus non plus un secret que la communauté d’expats ont accueilli cette culture les bras ouverts. Mais on voit également les communautés Parisians et Français laché leur café Richard amer qui se prennait d’un trait en hâte au comptoir d’une brasserie, pour s’intéresser à la perspective voluptueuse de se prélasser longuement dans un bar à café. C’est une manière nettement plus agréable à savourer l’arôme et apprécier les différents mélanges de café. Pour moi, c’est un renvoie joliement nostalgique à mes années de jeunesse passés à Monterey en Californie où l’exploration du café et des bars à café faisait partie de l’agenda quasi-quotidien. Read more →
Dose Café on Rue Mouffetard
I used to head to the Sugarplum Cake Shop often, but now I tend to frequent Laurel Sanderson’s new place Treize. But the 5th was really where I created some of my cherished memories as a student in Paris, like most students do. It’s a very student oriented neighborhood, and my second year here, I lived in a tiny little chambre de bonne on rue Laromiguière, just a few steps away from place Contrescarpe and rue Moufftard. I have much nostalgia of that year and so I return to rue Mouffetard with a light heart and a smile on my face.
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Le Club des 5 – Restaurant
In my (unadmitted) quest to discover all the fun restaurants in the Batignolles quarter, I was able to suggest Le Club des 5 when planning a dinner out with Chéri and our artist friend Barbara. I had walked by it many times and it has such a fun delightful interieur that seems to dram me in, that I couldn’t wait any longer, so I insisted.
I wasn’t disappointed!
I do chose restaurants based upon décor and ambiance first, and food second. I feel that just as food presentation is important, so are your surroundings and the decorum in which you eat. I can’t eat in a messy room, for example. Read more →
Café Marlette and Gluten Free Cake
After my lovely little tea time with Quinn, I found myself walking up rue des Martyrs in the 9th wandering aimlessly on a sunny April afternoon. There’s a little place called Café Marlette. It has been blogged about by many, and as I was looking for a cozy spot to sit and chill by myself, it just appeared in front of me without me even trying o look for it. So of course I knew I had to plop myself down there.
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Le Dome du Marais – Apothecary meets Shabby Chic meets Art Deco
It would seem that Springtime draws me out and exploring the cafés of Paris. I think the easing of chilly weather makes me feel more adventurous and I am inclined to exit the comfort of home for the chairs, benches and divans at various unexplored cafés around town. Although it isn’t that difficult to entice me outdoors given the many attractive café establishments in the City of lights.
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I spent a little time recently in two that I had never discovered before…and all in the same afternoon.
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A Seat On Top of Paris
There are certain sunsets that happen over the city of Paris where I wish I could have a view over the rooftops…
Well, I do. I have a seat, and so do you! On top of Le Printemps Haussman, on a café terrace with a beverage in hand, to enjoy the incredible panoramic view. Read more →
Little Paris Tips
I have a few fun updates about some things I love in Paris :
I posted about this bubbly brand back in 2012, but did you know that Mon Champagne now delivers, in Paris, in less than three hours?!? I mean we all know how bad a champagne emergency is, right?!?!? LOL! Okay, all kidding aside, who wants to lug six bottles of champagne home in a caddie on the metro? Pas moi. Plus the delivery guys (on bicycles = they are in shape) are claimed to be hot! Hmmmm… this could be a new way to meet a French man for you single ladies out there!
Aaaand, EVEN MORE EXCITING is the Champagne Box. My friends over there are crowd funding to launch the product so hop on board and offer Mon Champagne your support. This is going to be awesome when it launches. Plus for your contribution, you can have cool stuff! http://kisskissbankbank.com/champagne-box You have until the 14th of May to participate! Read more →
