My recent trip to Paris was a bit of a tease. I arrived to a beautiful sunny day, only to wake up to an incredibly cold Saturday filled with pouring rain and snow. Snow! Ever the optimist, I instead focused on other elements that would make my little weekend getaway special – namely the food and drinks. Because, if there is ever a city to savor a leisurely meal in, it’s Paris. Here are a few of my favorites from the weekend.
Coffee and Cinnamon Buns at Fragments Paris
I enjoyed coffee from this charming little coffee shop not once, but twice during my trip. The cappuccino is delightful and the cinnamon bun heavenly. This cafe also serves food as well, from eggs to avocado toast, all of which looked good. A reason to return!
Fragments is located in the Marais at 76 rue des Tournelles, Paris. No website, but look no further than their Instagram photos to further tempt you!
Unbelievable Cocktails at Jefrey’s
Another little gem I discovered is called Jefrey’s, a cocktail and whiskey bar in the Marais. Jefrey’s has a dimly lit, cozy vibe. It’s first-come, first-served, so don’t be surprised to have a wait for a table, especially later in the evening. As a result, I would recommend it for smaller groups of 2-4. We ended up scoring seats at the bar and enjoyed watching the bartenders make flaming drinks! Check out the brief video footage that I caught of it.
While scanning the impressive cocktail menu, the Tiki du Bled caught my eye. Featuring Rum Plantation original dark infused with Argan Oil, Mango Puree, Rum Overproof Smith and cross, Lime, Grilled Hazelnut Syrup, Cinnamon Tincture and Harissa, it sounded incredible and unlike anything I had ever tried before. It was so good! Spicy, sweet and savory, with a very cool tiki glass presentation and burning cinnamon sticks on top. Let’s just say that it was a sensory experience and I was quite happy and would love to return.
Jefrey’s is located at 14 Rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002 Paris, France. Visit their Facebook page here, as the website doesn’t share much information.
The Most Decadent Potatoes at Ambassade d’Auvergne
Coffee and cocktails are fantastic, but a girl has got to eat! Especially this girl, haha. When I heard about the most incredible buttery, cheesy mashed potatoes at Ambassade d’Auvergne, I was…intrigued. Paris is one of those cities where you cannot say no to such dishes when the opportunity presents itself.
I decided to go with a duck entree featuring the famous mashed potatoes. Upon ordering, the waiter actually comes by with a pot and stirs the mashed potatoes in front of you. A bit of dinner theatre, but it is impressive to see how the amount of naughtiness in the potatoes results in their ability to stretch and extend in front of you. I didn’t want to make a scene and film it, so you will just need to go and experience it for yourself (or check it out on their website below!).
Oh, and how was the entree? Perfection. I loved both the duck and the mashed potatoes…sinful in the best possible way. And, as if that wasn’t decadent enough, I had the most divine chocolate mousse to finish. When in Paris…right!?
Ambassade d’Auvergne is located at 22 Rue du Grenier Saint-Lazare and you can visit their website here.
Divine Crepes at La Crepe Autrement / Breizh Café
When faced with a bitterly cold, rainy Saturday, a large brunch is a requirement. Breizh Café, also called La Crepe Autrement, was the perfect place to cozy up for a few hours while feasting on savory buckwheat crepes. We tried two different types of crepes, one a bit more classic with ham, cheese and mushrooms and another with duck, spinach, and a fried egg. Both were divine!
As brunch is about feasting, we did not stop with the savory crepes. When dining at such a lovely place, one must also try desert as well, no? A chocolate crepe with whipped cream and a caramel crepe very dulce de leche were both lovely.
Fair warning: because this cafe is so amazing, prepare yourself to wait in line. It’s another first-come, first-served type of venue, but very much worth the wait. Breizh Cafe / La Crepe Autrement is located at 109 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris, France and you can visit their website here.
A Decadent Steak Experience At Le Chantefable
File this one under a first for me – a restaurant where your steak literally cooks in front of you. I’ll admit it, I was a bit skeptical at first. Staring down a raw steak searing on a hot plate in front of you is quite the experience. When to flip it? When to cut into it? But, I promise you, it’s worth it. It just seems to happen effortlessly and the steak is perfect – rich, tender, packed with flavor. Sides including a bearnaise sauce, garlic and kosher salt allow you to personalize the steak to your taste preferences.
Le Chantefable is located in the 20th at 93 Avenue Gambetta, 75020 Paris, France. For more information, visit their website.
A Secret Speakeasy Experience at La Mezcaleria
A visit to La Mezcaleria is quite possibly the perfect way to end a lovely weekend in Paris. Located in the Marais, getting into La Mezcaleria is an experience in itself. You enter through the 1K Paris Hotel, go through the restaurant and through the restaurant’s kitchen to enter. But, don’t stop there. In the corner of La Mezcaleria there is a large armoire. If you’re able to make it through, an incredible experience awaits.
You step into the armoire – which only fits three people, mind you. It’s pitch black! There’s a dramatic pause for the experience. Then, you’re led into a charming little bar. Cozy and dimly lit, it oozes charm. Also adding to the experience? There’s no drink menu – the drinks go by name and after a little chat with the bartender, they help you pick the right one. I got a drink called ‘Sexuality,’ haha. What are you trying to tell me, La Mezcaleria!?
Please forgive me – no photos were allowed, per the secrecy of the venue. You’ll just have to see if you can charm your way in to experience it for yourself.
La Mezcaleria is located inside the 1K Hotel at 13 Boulevard du Temple, 75003 Paris, France. For more information, visit their website here.
Final Thoughts
While the weather may have been terrible, the food this weekend was anything but. When traveling, it’s not always going to be perfect, but it’s how you respond to the imperfections and disappointments that define the overall travel experience. And, I think it’s safe to say that despite the terrible weather, I left Paris with many wonder memories worth savoring.
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