Here’s a nice thing to do on a rainy Paris day, such those that have been steadily accruing under the banner of low grey clouds that increasingly choke the cool blue late autumn skies. Take yourself off somewhere that possesses a sense of literary history worthy of the greatest libraries, a lauded decorative aesthetic reminiscent of a much-loved museum, and a warmth and vigour that transport’s one to the private parlours of modernity’s cultural heroes. In short, take yourself to Brasserie Lipp and partake in your own slice of Parisian history.

When ruminating about Brasserie Lipp, I can’t say that it is the kind of place that you might necessarily frequent for the food. Whilst the quality of the fare is very solid (with some of the finest mash potatoes that I have eaten on the Left Bank), it must be said that Lipp is both something to aspire to and something to be comforted by. Nourishment is guaranteed, even if it does come at a price. … read more »

How do you like your art? Traditional? Chic? Classical? Or avant-garde? Well, the people behind Tokyo Eat at the Palais de Tokyo are assuming that you enjoy your art in much the same way that you enjoy your food: lots of it, maybe slightly erratically presented, a hint of multiculturalism and largely contemporary in style, whilst remaining at the end of the day largely palatable without anything too difficult to digest. Am I talking about the current exhibition in the cavernous halls of the museum space at the Palais de Tokyo, or am I talking about the dishes served in its yawning restaurant, Tokyo Eat? It’s difficult to be sure: either way, you’ll come away with a distinct sense of atmosphere, even if not everything is as distinguished at that of the genre’s current masters.

In what has become one of the trendiest places in Paris to chow down on contemporary food and culture, it is entirely possible that you may become overwhelmed by the constant sensory overload that is Tokyo Eat. Greeted by bucket seats and geometric tables (designed and decorated by notable artists) and acidulous lights that are half retro and half ‘deep space’ in their theme, Tokyo Eat is equal parts bar, restaurant and ‘place to be seen’, though not necessarily in that order. … read more »

I’m on something of a touristy bent for this post, as well as the last one. I know that. But I’m trusting that you’ll forgive me as I promise to be covering some less familiar ground in the coming posts. It’s just that with the Parisian weather having turned foul the last couple of days (what happened to autumn? In fact, what on earth happened to summer??) I find myself being driven indoors to places where one can cuddle up with something sweet and comforting, with pretty things to look at (both surroundings, edibles and people) and nicely turned out staff to attend to my every need. Well, my every culinary need, at the very least. And for a much neater price (read: compact) than I might find in an equivalently chichi restaurant, afternoon tea salons serve much the same purpose but permit me to simply skip to dessert, and to order more than one dessert, should it be my whim (this is something of a gastronomic disorder that I have – but I digress). So where to go?

Cue: Angelina on rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement. … read more »

I’ve never been a great fan of frequenting the touristy places to which the camera-bearing hoards flock. I understand that most of these locations do indeed possess charm: discreet, bourgeois or otherwise. However I can’t help but feel as though I’m selling out or giving in if I (shock horror) pay a visit to one of these places or (gasp!) admit to enjoying it. But here it is, I have to confess my quaint little touristy sin – one that I happily indulge in and have very few regrets in doing so.

If it’s a rainy afternoon (as Paris afternoons are want to be), if it’s a little cold outside, or hell, for any other excuse that I can concoct, you’ll find me happily snuggling up to some kind of cream puff pastry on a banquette in the Ladurée tearoom in rue Bonaparte in the 6th. … read more »

As someone who is not originally from these parts, sometimes what I miss most about home is being able to walk into a bar where you are greeted by a familiar smile, your favourite drink and you don’t need to tell them just how you like your coffee. Well, it took me a while but last year I finally found my bar away from home: La Patache. And what a find it is. … read more »