When two of your closest friends are in Paris, then it makes sense to jump on the Eurostar from London and head there for a quick gluttonous catch up! In 2.15 hours you can walk out into the streets of Paris and straight into the nearest cafe.
Here are some of the spots I managed to squeeze into my visit this time...
La Fontaine De Mars
Head here for the prettiest, courtyard dining in a cobbled street that looks like it was cut out of the movies. Typical French food awaits, including one of the most indulgent Steak Tartares I've ever had. Try other classics like wild snails (escargot), pâté, steaks and duck confit. Make sure to save space for their indulgent desserts.
The famous steak & frites restaurant, with only one thing on the menu, is somewhere I've been returning year after years since childhood. With a no reservation policy, make sure to get them earlier or expect a queue. You won't be disappointed with their fail-safe steaks, signature peppery sauce and to end, some profiteroles! With a few locations around Paris, I seem to go to the Porte Maillot location more.
Quai Liberté
After dinner we strolled to a birthday on the Liberte dock (quai), with tables and benches all lined up by the boats. It is a great place to head to for some drinks under the warm night evenings, with music and a generally revellous atmosphere.
An alleged favourite of Kim Kardashian, if you're looking for elevated comfort food then this teeny, eclectic spot is the place to head to. Indulge in Black Truffle Taramasalata or their favour burger. My favourites include the outstanding Mushroom Risotto and the Naughty French Fries, with a homemade chili cheddar sauce that I was tempted to drink it was so good.
Others to try:
L'Affable - Chic, seasonal, excellent dishes. A must-visit.
Roger La Grenouille - Translated as 'Roger the Frog', head here for classics like frog legs & snails, or go for their famous Frog burger, served with tartar sauce and fries.
Brasserie Flo - It’s no secret that the Parisians have an eternal love affair with seafood; the city is dotted with oyster bars. The charming Brasserie Flo is the right place for indulging in a three tier fruits de mer extravaganza, while immersed in nostalgic Parisian décor.
L'Os A Moelle - A regular haunt of mine for well over a decade. This small traditional restaurant in the 15eme has excellent, well priced food and a great wine list (due to their wine cellars being on the other side of the road). Get here early and even have a drink at the cellar (cafe), La Cave de L'Os à Moelle.
Le Verre Volé – Right by the Canal Saint Martin, Le Verre Volé originally opened as a wine shop and later started serving food in the evenings. Mains include the hearty traditional Toulouse sausage with cream mash or boudin noir, which can be paired with a red wine from their wide selection. It’s the perfect spot for a cosy dinner during autumn and winter.
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