“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for all of Paris is a moveable feast”– Ernest Hemingway (1950)
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| The Library-Restaurant Bon |
Several of my friends have heard me raving about all of the fabulous places we dined while we were in Paris. Our charming host for the first part of our trip was Steve Nobel of Nobelinks. He planned an amazing trip catering to a group of interior designers from all over the country. He did exhaustive research finding restaurants designed by well known French designers that would inspire our group. Below is a feast for the eyes of some of the places we went….
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| The Wine Room-Resturant Bon |
One of my absolute favorites was Restaurant Bon. Phillipe Starck was the mastermind behind this brilliant restaurant. Starck is an architect, interior designer, product designer, as well as an international design superstar. After dropping out of school in the 1970s, he designed two nightclubs in Paris. The clubs were so successful that they attracted the attention of President Francois Millerand who asked for Starck’s design help on one of his palace apartments. After that, his career took off…creating interiors for the Cafe Costes in Paris, the Royalton and Paramount Hotels in New York, the Delano in Miami, and the Mondrian in Los Angeles.
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| The Fireplace Room-Restaurant Bon |
His spaces and products are always designed to surprise and delight while they push boundaries and challenge expectations. Each space in Restaurant Bon has a completely different atmosphere allowing the guests to have a unique experience every time they visit.
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| The Boudoir-Restaurant Bon |
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| The Lounge-Restaurant Bon |
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| Le Fumoir-Restaurant Bon |
After spending the day at the Marche aux Puces, our group gathered at another Starck-designed restaurant called Ma Cocette. This had a much more casual vibe than Restaurant Bon, which was exactly what we needed after being on our feet all day at the markets.
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| Wine Break-Ma Cocette |
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| Alfresco Dining-Ma Cocette |
We literally stumbled upon another of our favorite restaurants in St. Germain de Pres called
La Societe. After a painful walk in heels to the Louvre, we were looking for a spot close to wonderful
Hotel Pont Royal where we were staying.
Holly Phillips, my designer friend and partner in crime, and I hoofed it all over the arrondisement trying to find the perfect spot.
This ultra modern restaurant was decorated by Christain Liagre. There is no sign and it is hidden behind a huge door opposite the church of Saint Germain. I had read about it before our trip in Ines de la Fressange’s guidebook to Paris, but it sounded like it was impossible to get reservations. Fortunately for us, they could take us for a late dinner and voila….we had a fabulous meal in a gorgeous setting!
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| La Societe |
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| La Societe |
Best known for its bar and outdoor courtyard, Hotel Costes is still just as much fun as the last time I went there almost a decade ago (and pregnant as well!) The over the top decor was created by Jacques Garcia in 1991. What looks like a den of opulence turns into a racuous dance club late in the evening. It is worth every penny for the people watching alone.
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| Hotel Costes |
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| Courtyard and Interior Shot-Hotel Costes |
The setting at
Cafe Marly is so spectacular that we actually went there a handful of times during our trip. Any trip to the Louvre would not be complete without a stop here for lunch, dinner or drinks.
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| Overlooking IM Pei’s Masterpiece-Cafe Marly |
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| Arcade View-Cafe Marly |
Hotel Particulier was completely different from any other place we went. Literally, hotel particulier means a townhouse of a grand sort. Located on a side street in Montmartre, through a gate and past a bocce court, we felt like we had been invited into one of Paris’s most sophisticated residences. The food was outstanding, the service charming and the interiors were spectacular!
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| Library-Hotel Particulair |
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| Dining Room-Hotel Particulair |
Of course, we had to hit Cafe de Flore…located on the corner of Boulevard St. Germain and Rue St. Benoit.
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| Open since 1885 |
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| Le Petit Dejuener |
The gorgeous courtyard of Ralph’s was the perfect spot for lunch in the 17th century setting…
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| Courtyard-Ralph’s |
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| Courtyard-Ralph’s |
Le Castiglione was an ideal setting for a shopping break on the Rue St. Honore. If it is nice, the sidewalk tables are divine. If cold and rainy, nestle in to a booth on the second floor overlooking the boulevard.
After our design tour had ended, my husband joined me to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. His favorite spot was Le Relais de l’Entrecote which basically serves as much steak frites as you can handle. Their secret green sauce and simple menu executed to perfection has people lining up outside for hours to eat at this delightful spot.
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| Les Fleurs-Le Relais de L’Entrecote |
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Mon Mignon sur
Notre Anniversaie de Mariage |
Finally, here are the other restaurants I am dying to try that we did not have time for on this trip….Next time!
Les Ombres is situated on top of the Musee du Quai Branly. The museum showcases indigenous art art cultures and civilizations from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. The restaurant offers unparalleled views of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.
Designed by architect Jospeh Dirand, Monsieur Bleu is located in the new wing of the Palais de Tokyo, a space for artistic experimentation and cutting edge exhibitions.
Also designed by Phillipe Starck, Kong is an ultramodern glass space loactaed on the top of the Kenzo building in front of the Pont Neuf.
What are your favorite Parisian places to share?
BON APPETIT!
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