I will find any excuse to go to Paris, and however short the trip, I love to eat and drink my way through it well. My mum's Parisian, and I rented a studio in the 9th a few years ago when I first started my agency, so I've collected a handful of places that never let me down. The rest I leave to wandering, asking my local friends or simply walking past somewhere new and adding it to the list.
I spent two nights in Paris last week and this is how I spent my time. Where I stayed, ate, wandered and drank very good but cheap wine.
Day 1: Eurostar from London to Paris
We got to Paris at 5pm which gave us some time to get to checkin to our hotel and freshen up. We should have ubered because the metro was a little stressful with big suitcases in 40 degree heat.
Stay:
I usually stay in either the 9th, 11th or 3rd. This time, I decided to stick with what I know best and chose the 9th.
We stayed at Grand Pigalle Experimental, and I loved it. It’s design-led, boutique style and you’re looked after very well for a very reasonable price. I was also eyeing up Hôtel Massé which is opposite, which was closed for summer - but I’ll have to come back to check out their bar, and maybe stay.
Apéro
Lolo cave à manger
This spot really surprised me. It doesn’t really look like anything special if you were to walk past it. It feels really stripped back, the inside is quite dark and very small. The team is made up of only the chef and the waiter, who I'm pretty sure is the owner. I’d recommend it for the reason that it felt so low key but the food and the wine was perfect, and reasonably priced might I add. I thought this would just be small plates, looking at their very short menu but the portions were big and generous.
Whilst we were there, and looking at the menu we really thought this would just be small plates, so we thought we’d turn the evening into a bit of a foodie tour. So we actually ended up booking a table at Racines for 9.30 whilst at the dinner - rooky error because the plates did not end up being small - and we couldn’t now cancel.
HOWEVER no regrets because we ended up going to Racines and loving it. It’s buzzy, romantic, intimate and the perfect spot to end up in whilst in Paris. We shared a bowl of their Gnocchi pasta which was absolutely delicious and I had a glass of wine. We then called it a night before midnight.
Day 2
We woke up and headed to Soho House Paris to use the gym before having brunch there and getting some work done on friday. I remember that I do love my membership when I am abroad because it really is a great base to have when you’re travelling. I often leave my suitcase their when I need to, use the gym and use it as my remote office often and it’s just quite reliable as a place to be near to.
Shopping
We spend the afternoon / early evening in Le Marais. You can get lost just mooching around the shops there and there are so many little boutiques and vintage shops around. I didn’t go this time but I love going to Merci for decor inspiration - all their stuff is overpriced but its great for inspo.
Apéro
Le Mary Celeste this is one of my favourite bars in Paris. It’s absolutely perfect for a little aperitif and it really does feel like a neighbourhood spot. The team is great and very international which I love.
Drink By The Seine
We were in no rush for a 9pm reservation so I had taken a bottle with me in my bag from Loco Wines to enjoy whilst the sun was setting over Paris. I’d asked to have the wine cooled at the last place we were at, which they very kindly helped us out with. Someone was playing live music next to us and I love nothing more than to people watch and drink wine from paper cups whilst the sun is setting.
Dinner
Restaurant Tarántula
An old-school bistro serving mexican food by mexicans. Loved this restaurant, loved their marguerita and their tuna tostada in particular. It was also a great excuse to go to an area I had never been to before which felt like a different vibe to anywhere else. It feels like a secret spot, even though it was fully booked.
So let’s keep it from feeling that way ;)
The End / Checking out
We did a morning run around Montmartre to round it all off and grabbed some pastries from French Bastards before heading to Gare de Lyon to get out TGV to Provence.
More on this soon :)
Stay Trendie x