A few months back I couldn’t find a decent coffee anywhere in Paris. I’d knock back bitter espressos and nurse UHT infused café crèmes and dream of the rich velvety brews of home. I once even ventured into Starbucks (and had to do the walk of shame home with my misheard name ‘Enel’ scrawled across my excessively large grande latte).
Andrea Crews the experimental brand founded by Maroussia Rebeck moved form Belleville to la rue de Turenne in le Marais. The place to shop the 2 unisex clothing lines : Black Label for unique upcycled pieces and white Label for the chic streetwear pieces. Every piece is thought as an art piece, limited edition of 50 copies in a deluxe packaging created by Leslie David.
Bad coffee has been one of Paris features for a long time- along with the rude waiters in black & white. The Parisians did not care that much about the black beverage itself – just a pretext for a pause, but some Anglo-Saxons stepped into the breach, like Oliver Strand in the NY Times in a 2010 bitter column. Some expresso bars popped-up then in Paris and Oliver was pretty happy (sort of). These charming fresh-brewing places have become the El Dorado for tourists or expats missing a good cup of coffee in Paris.
The place that is named after a joyful bird, and since its opening has been packed for lunch everyday. One detail : it is 100% veggie (not only veg-friendly, but pure veggie). In Paris, where the word « vegetarian » sounds like an …
Looking for your next neighborhood haunt in Paris? Boasting an upscale casual ambiance à la New Yorkaise with 1-euro oysters, a comprehensive cocktail and wine list, and a Brooklyn-style brew on tap, Le Mary Celeste is a good place to start.
All that might sound like a lot to ask for in one place but not if you turn to the Candelaria/Glass cocktail quartet: Adam, Carina, Carlos and Haan, who seem to have a gift for coming up with places that serve easily sippable drinks in an atmosphere suitable for a variety of soirées, depending on what you’re looking for.
We are thirsty, too classy for a J&B/coke, and too cool for mojitos at Hard Rock Cafe, so we’re always looking for the next cocktail venue. This new one doesn’t disappoint. After entering through a little red door, reminiscent of Alice’s portal into Wonderland, we discovered a NYC-style speakeasy/cocktail bar with a typical North Marais crowd and a mix of international babes and local fashionistas.
Chef Peter Karam, who used to work for 90′s fashion legend Jean Paul Gaultier, opened Cuisson, his restaurant in le Marais, based on a mantra of cooking yummy and balanced dishes for the cute, busy chicks of the area. The focus is on sandwiches, bagnas, and salads. The setting of the restaurants is minimalist and all the dishes are fresh and savory–as we expect the showroom assistants coming for a salade d’automne to be. Kind of the new Marais spot for a fast refueling for breakfast in the morning, for lunch, or for an afternoon break You can eat in the restaurant, take away, or have it delivered in the area by bike.
It’s finally hot and sunny in Paris, the summer sales are here and you’ve spent the whole week planning your perfect Saturday:
- getting crazy and spending a lot in the cute shops of le Marais in the morning.
- meeting your good friend Alex for some catching up, gossip and calorie wise, at lunchtime.
- cultivating your inner wealth (while enjoying the AC) at the Centre Pompidou in the afternoon.
How genuinely popular can a « Bistrot Populaire » be in the 3rd district nowadays? Or should I say, 10 feet from Merci, Grazie and all those very « popular chic » (ie, expensive) places of the neighborhood?
To answer to this question, first, there’s the look. 50′s formica furniture, an old 2CV embedded in a wall, a diner atmosphere and a delicious rotisserie behind the counter… Ok, the old school vibe is undeniable.