Self-taught chefs are not commonplace in Paris, but Patricia Trâm is changing the conversation with her smash hit Trâm 130, a delightfully creative spot in the 11th blending a casual vibe with true excellence in the kitchen.
Author: emiglia
La Renommée is as Amazing as the Influencers Say
La Renommée is, it must be said, not what it appears. While it’s all dressed up in old-school regalia – including the misleading “since 1823” at the top of its menu – it was actually opened in 2023 by the American team behind Au Cheval in Chicago and 4 Charles in New York. The result feels like a subtly American reimagining of what makes a glitzy French brasserie so special: the ambiance and flavors are all French, while the service – and eye-watering prices – are resolutely American.
It’s Hard to Overstate How Phenomenal Didon Is
Didon is a bistronomic restaurant down the quiet rue du Dragon in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and given its namesake – Dido – it seems only apt that the kitchen be run by two women, Sarah Edouard and Mélissa Altenberg, in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Michel Portos.
Pilgrim’s Fine Dining Approach Feels a Bit Dusty… but It Hides Some Real Gems
The proteins are the stars of these beautiful, artistically crafted plates.
19 Saint Roch Offers Eastern Paris Creativity with Central Paris Fine Dining Service
Pierre Touitou made a name for himself with his marriage of creative innovation and fine dining flair, and at 19 Saint-Roch, steps from the Louvre, he’s created the perfect stage for his technique-driven fusion fare starring only the best French ingredients.
Vermillon is a Casual Neighborhood Bistro Championing Tasty Simplicity
What makes Vermillon a bistro, to me, is less its flavor than its soul: simplicity, conviviality, and warmth abound, making it the kind of place one could easily imagine becoming a cantine, the sort of neighborhood joint you head to, not for the exquisiteness of the food, but for the vibes, the reliability, and the reasonable prices. And that’s just one of the things that makes it a laudable address.
Polidor’s Vibe is Still There but the Food is Mid at Best
Le Polidor is one of Saint-Germain’s most time-tested restaurants, founded in 1845 and a one-time favorite of such writers and artists as Boris Vian, André Gide and Ernest Hemingway. It’s perhaps no wonder Woody Allen chose it to film scenes from his Midnight in Paris: It’s easy, upon walking into the wood-lined dining room filled with elbow-to-elbow tables to imagine that nothing has changed here in decades.
La Marine is the Local Café Every Neighborhood in Paris Needs
I was so tempted to gatekeep this sprawling café overlooking the Canal Saint-Martin… but lucky for you all, I like you too darn much. So here you go: my favorite café, which ticks pretty much every box you need for a local. It’s open all day every day; the service is genial, efficient, and friendly. And the food is really, really good. Is it a destination? Absolutely not – and that’s so not the point. It’s the kind of place you can reserve at, if you want to, but you can also saunter in at any time of day and eat well.
La Bourse et la Vie Dresses Bistro Classics Up in Fine Dining Regalia
Well-executed French classics have become a bit of a rarity in a city more interested in innovative, fusion fare, but American Chef Daniel Rose’s love of traditional French cuisine shines at his La Bourse et La Vie. Make no mistake: Despite claims to the contrary, this is not a bistro, but rather a fine dining restaurant masquerading as one – with the prices to match. But given the way Rose delivers on the flavors, in my book, that’s a perfectly fine compromise.
Coyote is a Lively Bar Hiding a Phenomenal Menu
Le Coyote is a bustling new spot in the Marais positioning itself as a queer saloon, and from the fringe on the lamps to the swinging doors leading to the bar surrounded by all manner of mostly femme-presenting folks, it delivers. The food here is exquisite; the service less so. But enjoy it as a bar with excellent small plates, and you’ll have a wonderful time.