I’ve been on a lot of first dates lately. Being a free and independent femme d’un certain âge, Paris is my oyster. Here are some of my recent first-dates. …read more
Not long ago, Pigalle, Paris’ former red-light district had a naughty reputation. Fast forward to 2021, this lively area located at the base of Montmartre has reinvented itself as one of the city’s trendiest quartiers. Here’s a brief guide to this re-vamped quartier in the city of lights …read more
There’s no doubt about it. The French are coffee mad, meaning there is plenty of option in Paris. Here are a few of my favorite spots to sit down in Paris with a good coffee and book. …read more
As une femme d’une certain âge, I thought I’d seen it all in the gentleman-caller department. Here are some things that I learned when I first got to know un français, up close and personal. …read more
Located on the otherwise unremarkable end of the Boulevard Beaumarchais, amidst a series of second hand camera shops and fast food lunch options you’ll find Neighbours, a café that’s as friendly as its name. …read more
The Hood wears many hats, and it carries each one impeccably. By day, the comfortable, airy space serves as a coffeehouse and creative meeting place. By night, a veritable gastronomic address. …read more
Things move slowly in France and, for those of us who live here, this is often a frustrating reality. Extended waits at stores like Darty or BHV to simply return a purchase, the long lines at your local boulangerie as everyone has their morning conversations with the baker- all take a little extra time out… …read more
Tucked away in a quiet street behind the hustle and bustle of the busy Place de la République, Umami Matcha is the first café in Paris to be entirely devoted to matcha, the bitter, grassy-hued powdered tea used in the Japanese tea ceremony. Yet there’s nothing ceremonial about this bright, zen-like modern space that doubles… …read more
Paris teaches you that appearances can be deceiving. One of the biggest charms of the city is how it can change from tiny to titanic, small to staggering, in a matter of meters. Mini cobble stone streets open onto magnificent esplanades and hidden passages transport you to grand boulevards. I can’t think of a café… …read more
Hardware Société, a Parisian outpost of its Franco-Australian founders original Melbourne location, is the most exciting thing to happen to Parisian breakfast since Holybelly and Eggs Benedict. Located on one of the most hidden-in-plain-view streets in Paris, rue Lamarck just east of the Sacré Coeur, Hardware Société remains a hidden gem. …read more
It’s no longer hard to find good coffee in Paris. Lomi, Ten Belles, Cream, HolyBelly—the list of places to drink impeccable joe goes happily on. For those who have hit up all the traditional cafés, a growing selection of “concept” cafés offer novel spaces in which to savor a cup of java. …read more
Holybelly is unique restaurant with a killer brunch menu that occupies a special place in many diner’s hearts. At their one year anniversary in October 2014, co-owners Nico Alary and Sarah Mouchot had more to celebrate than 365 days of serving quality food to hungry Parisians. …read more
While Nation may never be the next Parisian hotspot complete with a cool NYC-inspired acronym (I tried SoOb for South of Oberkampf but oddly it never took off), here are some spots worth checking out in the event that you find yourself off the beaten path on Paris’ east side. …read more
