Paris

sophiavandenhoek July 15, 2018

Cárbon, Paris

France, Paris 2 Replies

The ones following me on Instagram might have noticed already that I have a new favourite in Paris. Since the first week they opened about a year ago I’ve been a regular at Cárbon, even though I still don’t live in this city. The wood fired food with its smoky flavors, the perfectly designed interior, the surprising (natural) wine list and of course the sweetest staff keep on drawing me back here. The chef changed since my first visits but the food is still utterly delicious. To be taking pictures for them kind of is the dream job.

sophiavandenhoek November 8, 2015

Clown Bar, Paris

France, Paris 1 Reply

I’ve had amazing food in the most hideous decorated restaurants and I’ve also had terrible dishes at the prettiest ones. My main consideration to make a post about a place will always be the food. Thankfully nowadays it’s easier to find a combination of good food and nice interiors. Like at the Clown Bar, where you can find best of both worlds.

The circus-themed decor dates back from the Belle Epoque. And ‘belle’ it certainly is. Not the trendy white tiles and marble counters we see a lot nowadays but walls filled with colorful, hand painted clowns on ceramic tiles, a floral ceiling and a gorgeous bar. A fear of red noses will be easy to overcome in here. There’s nothing scary about this place.

Clown Bar was taken over by Sven Chartier and Ewen Le Moigne from Saturne and together with former Vivant chef Sota Atsumi the historical bistro has turned into a real gastro bar.

The cuisine is refined, tasty and accessible. With a use of quality ingredients dictated by what’s in season and available on the day. I went there for lunch and had two starters and one dessert. The foie at Clown Bar was creamy, exceptionally smooth and the unusual combination with smoked eel and cucumber was excellent. Quite a heavy dish though so I was glad I also ordered the dish with tuna, raspberries and rocket. Light and fresh. The dessert, a licorice/ anise jelly combined with cardamom and melon was the most surprising dish. Normally I’m not a huge fan of jelly textures but I had no problems eating this one. The flavours were exquisite!

If you’re looking for a casual but intimate French bistro with a creative twist on the classics, Clown Bar is the place to go. Don’t forget to make a reservation in advance.

Clown Bar Paris, 114 Rue Amelot, +33 (0)1 43 55 87 35

clown-bar-paris.fr

sophiavandenhoek July 29, 2015

Deyrolle, Paris

France, Paris 1 Reply

A favorite in Paris, one I first heard about in 2008, just after a fire destroyed this place. I was triggered by the pictures of the burt down interior made by Martin Orgeval. His photographs show the animals and insects that survived the disaster, against a background of charred woodwork in the shop. Sad but beautiful.

With the help of artists and collectors worldwide, the store has been rebuilt from the fire and you’re able to visit and buy everything from house cats to polar bears again. With its decorated ceilings, big windows and green walls the store has managed to maintain its 19th-century decor. With the look and feel of a museum Deyrolle is definitely worth a visit!

Deyrolle, 46, rue du Bac – 75007 Paris

sophiavandenhoek March 25, 2015

The Broken Arm, Paris

France, Paris 1 Reply

I can’t wait for spring to come, go to Paris, and sit back and relax on the sunny terrace of one of my favorite cafés in my all-time favorite city. Situated next to the Square du Temple on a quiet corner in the 3rd arrondissement, The Broken Arm is the perfect place for a tasty breakfast or lunch in the sun.

Unfortunately, a decent coffee in France is not that easy to find but The Broken Arm serving Solberg & Hansen coffee is one of the exceptions in Paris. Next to good coffee they provide a small, daily changing, menu of sandwiches, salads and soups. I enjoyed a green pea soup with mint and lemon thyme croutons.

Don’t worry if the sun doesn’t shine. The clean, minimal, but cosy interior with a typical French tiled floor and lots of plants makes this place a lovely hangout for rainy days as well. And when it’s too busy to find yourself a table right away you can entertain yourself in their next door concept store and try again when you’re done shopping.

The Broken Arm, 12, rue Perrée, 75003, Paris

sophiavandenhoek November 21, 2014

Septime, Paris

France, Paris 5 Replies

I already shared my experiences at Höst in Copenhagen and there is no doubt this Danish beauty belongs my personal top 3 of most beautiful restaurants. Septime in Paris is definitely in as well. Stunning interior, good looking staff and gorgeous dishes. The interior has got Scandinavian influences with concrete walls and wooden furniture. Obviously you will find the French finesse in the details, like the tiled floor and the recycled Monkey 47 gin used as water bottles.

Septime has not only a pretty interior, I also fell in love with chef Bertrand Grébaut’s seasonal cooking. It’s well balanced, pure and refined. It was excellent from beginning to end with the raw veal tartar with bottarga, faisselle, shaved kohlrabi and fresh almonds as my absolute favorite. Though ‘le thon rouge de St, Jean de Luz’ with baby cucumber and currants was just as delicieux.

They serve non-sulfite wines which are made by small producers and are actually for sale across the street at Septime Cave. I heard lots of promising things about Bertrand Grébaut’s seafood bar Clamato next door. I will return to Paris soon!

Septime

80 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris

sophiavandenhoek November 8, 2014

Nanashi, Paris

France, Paris 5 Replies

I love rich, heavy, filling food. The French kitchen is one of my favorites but after spending a while in France I sometimes have enough of the cheese, butter and cream. That’s when I go to Nanashi, the perfect place to find a hint of Japan in Paris. The bento box in Japan can be compared to the bread bin we know in Holland but way healthier and always good looking with Japanese perfection. The ones they serve at Nanashi are carefully prepared and well balanced with lots of vegetables and cereals instead of white rice. Next to the bento boxes they serve other light and healthy dishes. The spring rolls with chicken are my personal favorite but don’t miss the black sesame panna cotta with maple sirup for dessert!

There are more Nanashi locations in Paris but these photos were shot at the one in the Marais.

57 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris

Open for lunch and dinner

nanashi.fr

sophiavandenhoek November 6, 2014

France, Paris 4 Replies

Paris.. Fourteen years old I was when I visited this city for the first time on a school trip. My fellow students were bored while our French teacher guided us through the streets of Paris, telling us stories about every building, every statue, every little detail. I was hanging on his lips. When we entered Le Jardin du Luxembourg and passed the Fontaine Médicis I fell in love. The calmness and peacefulness I felt when I saw a girl sitting there on a chair reading her book made me want to live there instantly. I wanted to be her. Though I don’t officially live in Paris it does feel a little like my second home with visits on a monthly base. I still often go to Jardin du Luxembourg with my book but I’m usually eating my way around the city.

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