Posts by SylviaSD:
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The Best Restaurants on Paris’ Rue du Cherche-Midi
Connoisseurs have known the rue du Cherche-Midi for the country bread and butter cookies baked in wood-burning ovens at Poilâne bakery since the 1930s and Le Cherche-Midi, one of the city’s best Italian restaurants since 1978. Tried and true, those two addresses were the best food Cherche-Midi had to offer. About three years ago, something changed and the street became a foodie destination.
Negotiating à la Française: The Meaning of Non
Anyone who has spent a serious amount of time in Paris knows the word well. Non, Monsieur, it is not possible to have green beans instead of fries with your tartare… Non, you can not have a reservation for 20h, we have two seatings: 19h30 or 21h30… Non, I do not take credit cards in my taxi. Here are a few of the nons you may hear on your Parisian adventure.
Le Bougainville: Homemade, Grandmother-Style French Cooking
I recently found myself strolling near the Place de la Victoire, a business district that appeared closed for the day. Continuing in the direction of the more promising Passage Vivienne, my date and I spotting a 1950s-style café with mosaic tile floors, formica table tops, and primary color paint. We were dubious, but hungry, so we stepped in, happy to find that behind the near-empty café was a welcoming restaurant with a trove of pleased diners.
Paris’ First All Bulk Organic Supermarket Pop-up: BioCoop21
BioCoop, a French organic grocery chain, has opened BioCoop21: Paris’ first all bulk, organic pop-up shop with over 250 options to buy 100% en vrac. The aroma of ripe fruit welcomes customers who come to fill up on groceries at this pocket-sized shop in Paris’ 10ème arrondissement.
Saint-Sulpice: A Peek Inside One of Paris’ Most Coveted Neighborhoods
Come take a stroll and explore the Saint-Sulpice neighborhood of Paris’ sixth arrondissement. Centered around the church of the same name, the area boasts eclectic food, cultural, shopping and nightlife options for every taste, so we’ve rounded up some of the best it has to offer.
Le Bon Saint Pourçain: Back with New Owners and a Traditional-Modern Mix
A longtime favorite in Saint Germain, Le Bon Saint Pourçain reopened its doors under new ownership this spring, two years after its sudden closure. Striking the right balance between traditional and modern, this little gem has reclaimed its place among the classic Parisian bistrots.
An Empty Nester in Paris
With my youngest child leaving the nest, American friends send me “awws” and sad-faced emoticons, declaring, “Now you’ll be empty nesters.” My Parisian friends raise glasses in a toast, asking if I plan to follow Mr French on his business trips and enjoy long weekends across the globe.
The Perfect Weekend Along Paris’ Canal St-Martin
Every Sunday the city of Paris inhales deeply, taking a break to live life at a different rhythm and wander the cobbled streets. The 15th century canals in Paris’ 19th arrondissement, Canal St-Martin and Canal De l’Ourqc, are a great areas to slowly drift into the relaxing weekend beat.
Inside Frank Gehry’s Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris’ Newest Architectural Sensation
The eye-arresting Fondation Louis Vuitton was built to celebrate contemporary art and French crafts. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Fondation rises from the trees of the Bois de Boulogne, its glass sails reflecting the nature all around, while embracing it at the same time.
Sick in Paris? French Medical Assistance 101
The day we moved to Paris, I had pneumonia and my eight-year-old had a confirmed case of strep throat. Snow fell, the thermostat plummeted to historic lows, and the by the next morning my very Californian five year-old was sick too. Here’s how I became the expert on seeking medical attention in France.
Dating in Paris: How to Hook a Frenchman
The first date arrived and panic set in. What should I wear? What would I say? What had I gotten myself into? I turned to the source, my elegant, size 0 Parisienne friends and fired off my questions. They took me by the hand, sat me down at the nearest café, and ordered a round of champagne.
Winter in Paris: Ice Skating Around the City of Light
After the lighting of the trees along the Champs Elysées and the perfume of hot, spiced wine from the Christmas markets, everyone is ready to pull on their party shoes, aka ice skates, to enjoy some sensational ice skating rinks that have rolled into Paris for the holidays.
