NEWS IN paris

Carlsberg invited us a few days ago to have us discover L’Atelier des Artistes near République in Paris. The place is a restaurant, lounge, bar and even has a screening room and a private “Danish suite”. L’atelier des Artistes is a complex yet successful combination of modern art, gastronomy and nordic inspiration. The venue is actually pretty big: the restaurant on the ground floor, which we have yet to try, looks very promising. Downstairs, we loved all the design furniture and whole atmosphere of the bar. I invite you to go check it out by yourself! Read the rest of this entry »

Nanchang is the latest Chinese canteen that has opened in Paris. If you fancy some soup, fried shrimps, grilled caramel porc and the likes with Mao staring at you when you drink that hot sake, then this is the place to be. It is cheap as you’d expect. But it’s really good. And fun. And weird.

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This is a guest post from Olivine who runs the blog Sur les pavés de Paris ! Go check it out !!

Brunches in Paris can be very disappointing sometimes: random jams, dry scramble eggs, very salted stuffs… At Colorova, the newly opened salon de thé close to the rue de Rennes, you won’t be disappointed. Not this time. Sit in the comfortable chairs, under the cosy glass roof, take time to breath and welcome to the wonderful world of Colorova!

Everything is home-made (except for tea of course). Jams are wonderful, especially the chocolate one. Pastries are very tasty with this discrete flavour of butter that I love so much. Two dishes are included in the brunch. Totally new for me, I have never had soup on a Sunday morning, but the taste of the pumpkin soup and of the cauliflower soup with tonka bean made me feel like the little Ratatouille in the famous Disney movie (see what I’m talking about?).

At the end of the brunch, when I couldn’t stand up and felt so sad that I had to leave, the waitress came with the bill and said: “Are you happy?” with a bright smile. Definitely yes!  Read the rest of this entry »

This is the story of 3 mustached French dudes who decided to share their vision of the “French” burger in their little restaurant/take away in Paris. Wondering what Big Fernand‘s frenchified burgers look like? Here is their method: the beef is prepared and cut every morning by them, and the bread is prepared especially and only for them by a baker (the name is kept top secret). These three amigos love their wonderful collection of 80′s music as much as their French origins. Each burger is prepared with delicious French farmers cheese such as Saint Nectaire, Fourme d’Ambert and Tomme de savoie and the home made cocktail sauce… An affordable deliciousness in the middle of the 10th district!! Go check it out (plan below). 

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A few months ago, we had this crazy idea of a map with all our favourite hotspots in Paris. We called it the Heatmap. How clever, huh ? Now you don’t have the slightest excuse not knowing where to go for the best roasted chicken or find the most romantic patio in Paris. It’s not perfect. Let’s say it is a beta version. We’ll update the spots regularly to take into account how hot or called some places turn. We’re gladly accepting your suggestions and hope you’ll share with us your favourite spots too !! Spread the word, now you don’t have to check the Figaroscope anymore !!!

CHECK OUT THE HME CITY GUIDE HERE 

Paul Grassart is the kind of guy whose passion pushed to quit his job to finally live his dream. After 11 years of IT risk consulting, Paul Grassart decided to dedicate his time and energy to what had been driving him for years : the art of tailoring. He started learning tailoring on his own by studying techniques from the 19th and 20th centuries. He truly started studying tailoring from an historical point of view and that’s what really impressed me when I first saw him two weeks ago. Willing to go further than he was able to learn by himself, he enroled with Parisian tailor David Diagne who became his mentor.  Paul’s obsession to detail and quality is obvious : he can spend days looking for the perfect fabric on a client’s request. Let him show you some of his findings and he’ll tell you the history of tweed before you can blink ! Although he takes the greatest pleasure in rather unordinary garments like uniforms, Paul Grassart‘s activity concentrates mostly on suits, jackets, trousers or coats.  Read the rest of this entry »

Right in the middle of the golden triangle of the 8th district of Paris, la Fermette Marbeuf is a belle epoque masterpiece . The staff is genuinely friendly and the food is delicious unlike several bad reviews I could read on the web. Be sure to save room for the souffle – I cannot imagine a lighter more perfectly prepared souffle, it was heaven! As some of the other reviews state, the restaurant is a little over warm, so I would also recommend layers but by all means, add this restaurant to your I-want-to-impress restaurant list. When making reservations request seating in the 1900 room although the entire restaurant is gorgeous. A classic restaurant in the poodle-chic 8th arrondissement that has been reappropriated by a younger crowd. Music label folks including the Ed Banger crew flock to the picturesque spot to eat tried and true dishes like crêpes Suzette, flambé on the spot by a lovely Mademoiselle! A good spot if you find yourself near the Champs Elysées for whatever reason. Read the rest of this entry »

This is a guest post from Olivine who runs the blog Sur les pavés de Paris !

First thing, I advise you to reserve a table few days before going there (call +33 1 43 54 34 50). Last Saturday, after a walk in my neighbourhood, I decided to have dinner at Semilla… without having booked a table. Fortunately, I was very lucky. I had the last table which was available for that day. Actually, I went there at 7pm! very early for a Saturday night! After the relief of having two seats at this overcrowded restaurant, the menu came. Oh, it was very hard to choose! The menu is divided in three “parts”: raw, grilled and… broth. Weird? not really. Anyway, the food there is delicious. Everything is cooked (almost) in front of us, in an open kitchen. And I forgot to tell you, you can order courses in half portion!  Read the rest of this entry »

A friend of mine recently asked me where to have lunch or dinner in a perfectly Parisian and traditionnal restaurant here in Paris. Well, if you’re looking for a good, typical bistrot or brasserie, I suggest you pay a visit to Le Grand Colbert. A typical brasserie that first opened in 1900 during La Belle Epoque times. The food excellent and the decor itself is really worth the journey… (not to mention that after your meal you can wander around the Palais Royal which is also worth the look!). Price-wise, let’s say it’s affordable but not cheap… Read the rest of this entry »