LWSY – My Paris Edit

Twice a year I head to Paris for the design trade fair Maison et Objet. I usually plan my trips so that I can visit friends for a few days before the shows start. I’ve been coming to these fairs for years, so by now I know my way around, & I always have a list of new places that I want to visit. Whether it’s a new design store, café, or hotel even it’s very important for me to stay in the loop with the new places opening up on a regular basis. These are some shots from 2012 visits. Here I can share some of my favourite places to stay, eat & visit…

Restaurants:

• Basilic – 2 Rue Casimir Périer 75007. One of my favourite ‘locals’ place in Paris, perfect for a late dinner. They serve the best burrata in Paris. 
• Brasserie Thoumieux – 79 Rue Saint-Dominique 75007.For dinner, you must book ahead. Below Hotel Thoumieux, & just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, there are two things you order here. The pizza soufflé to start & the tuna carpaccio. You’ll just be envious if you see someone with either & you’d wish you had ordered it.
• Derriére – 69 Rue des Gravilliers. In the Marais this is a great place for brunch & dinner. Think family style apartment, turned into a restaurant. Big sofas, secret rooms through wardrobes & a table tennis table in the middle of the restaurant. Run by the owners of London’s Momo.
• Nanashi – 57 Rue Charlot 75003. A Japanese style bento restaurant. Think fresh & healthy, perfect for a weekend brunch/lunch with friends. Hidden away but in the perfect area for a weekend stroll.
• Georges – 19 Rue Beaubourg. On the top of the Pompidou with killer views of Paris (see image below). Perfect for a lunch in the height of the summer. Sit on the terrace & sip rosé. Breakfast/lunch/dinner spot.
• Le Germain – 25-27 Rue de Buci. One of my favourite people watching places for breakfast/lunch/dinner. Slap bang in the centre of the 6th (left bank), this Costes Group restaurant designed by India Mahdavi is not so traditional in style. Think Alice in Wonderland/pop-tastic. Typical french menu, with a pretty hipster crowd.
• Chez Janou – 2 Rue Roger Verlomme. Once you’ve pushed your way through the kir royal sipping crowd blocking the door way, you’ll find yourself in a very traditional french restaurant. Noisy, hot & busy, just please make sure you order the chocolate mousse, it comes in a catering sized bowl for you to help yourself. Heaven.
• Beaucoup – 7 rue Froissart 75003. Run by the same people as Nanashi, this modern dark New York loft-style restaurant serves great tapas, I love it because it’s full of great design.

Cafés:

• Les Deux Margots – 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés. One of the most famous cafés in Paris. Amazing Pierre Hermé mille fuille. People watching hotspot. You could sit there for hours.
• Café Marly – 93 Rue de Rivoli. With views of the Louvre, yes it’s a tourist spot but it’s a lovely pitstop for a quick café. Macaroons to die for. Make sure you get a table overlooking the museum. 
• Used Bookstore Café – 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais. This café is inside the famed concept store Merci. They serve the best boiled eggs & toasted soldiers on a sunday morning.
• Café Coutume – 47 Rue de Babylone. I discovered this place by accident. For die hard coffee lovers. Rustic interiors.

Bars:

• Compagnie des Vin Surnaturels – 7 Rue Lobineau 75006. This tiny cocktail bar is full of some of my favourite lighting. Perfect for a quick drink before dinner. It’s worth a trip. 
• Candelaria – 52 Rue de Saintonge 75003. In the Marais. You’ll see a neon TACOS sign in the window of a very simple looking taco shop. Confidently walk to the back and through the white door. You’ll find the most amazing mexican bar hidden away. Perfect for a late night margarita.

MORE TO FOLLOW….. (Shops & Hotels to be added shortly…)