Continuing on with the temporary Paris theme, here are a few places I dined at in Paris in January 2015.

Les Éditeurs

4 Carrefour de l’Odéon (6th arr.)

Les Éditeurs is a cafe, restaurant, lounge bar, tea salon, and library all in one. This special cafe-restaurant is where many publishers and authors have promoted new books.

I’m afraid I didn’t take a photo of my supper until we got to the dessert. As you may know, I love creme brûlée and since everyone was quite full by then, I had at least 3 of these mini bowls, as well as the macarons.

Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris: Le Bar Long

37 Avenue Hoche (8th arr.)

Pierre Hermé – Hot Chocolate

This luxury hotel from 1928 has been visited by notable guests such as Dwight D Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, Walt Disney, Coco Chanel, Josephine Baker, Hemingway, and so many more.

Although clean and simple, I was not a fan of the contemporary interiors of Bar Long on the main floor which contrasted the historical exterior of the hotel. Le Bar Long serves light Asian-fusion snacks all day from 8am-2am, as well as drinking chocolate from Pierre Hermé. I opted for a hot drinking chocolate, which came in a teapot for 12€. I must warn you, I was full by the second cup and nearly falling asleep by the time I had finished the entire teapot! That’s how good it was!

The hall of mirrors with individual lavatories in Le Royal Monceau hotel

You can tell a lot about a hotel based on the lavatories. This unisex lavatory is in a hall of mirrors. Each washroom/restroom/loo has a toilet and a sink. One of the best lavatories I’ve been to yet!

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Etoile

Publicis Drugstore, 133 Av. des Champs-Élysées (8th arr.)

This location on the Champs-Elysées was opened 7 years after the first one was opened in Saint Germain by the most starred chef in the world, Joël Robuchon. Downstairs with the chic signature red-and-black decor, chefs Fabien François et Mélanie Serre and their staff prepare some Robuchon’s classic dishes in small or large portions. We ordered the lunch menu (43€) and every item that was served was scrumptious! I would have taken more photos but as we were sitting by the kitchen, I already felt quite self-conscious!

• Foie gras in shot glass (I am not a fan of foie gras but this was the best out of all the ones I’ve tried. Still prefer not to have them.)
• Endives salad with truffles (amazing truffles!)
• Steamed veal (practically melted in my mouth)
• Mashed potatoes puree
• Apple dessert with sorbet
• Extra (complimentary and not part of the menu): gold-dusted chocolates and fresh hot madeleines (the best I’ve ever had!)

Photos of some items from two different lunch menus.

La Régalade Saint-Honoré

106 Rue Saint Honoré (1st arr.)

A local family friend took us to this cosy little restaurant. We had a set dinner menu (37€ each) which included two appetisers (for the second appetiser, I chose a black risotto), the main meal (I chose fish even though I generally avoid it), dessert, and wine. Although dinner could usually take hours, we had up to 2 hours before the guests arrived at the popular restaurant for their 9pm reservation. Although I’m usually a picky eater, I enjoyed everything that was served, especially the house Grand Marnier soufflé!

Restaurant BON

25 Rue de la Pompe (16th arr.)

Had we not been invited to come to this restaurant to meet a friend of a family friend, I doubt my Mum and I would have ever visited the 16th arrondissement (at least in January). It wasn’t until we visited the neighbourhood that we realised how much we liked it.

Restaurant BON is one of the best restaurants in Paris. It is considered trendy and, as we later learned, Asian-fusion cuisine is considered tres chic (so yes, you will have to know how to use chopsticks). There are five different rooms or areas to sit, each with its own design by Philippe Starck. Although my photos show only two of the areas without guests, I assure you that it was very busy (but I prefer taking photos once people have left). The set lunch menu ranges from 27,50-32,50€. I’m not usually a fan of panna cotta, but the Rose Panna Cotta (pictured below) is a must-have!

The chic restaurant

As you can see from the photos of the ladies room, this restaurant values elegance, cleanliness, and simplicity!

Elegant Ladies Room

Calissons de Provence

Lastly, aside from macarons, you must try Calissons. Although originally from Provence, these delectable almond-shaped candied fruit are something you must try at least once. The first time I had these, I managed to finish my box in one sitting, which is not very hard to do if you don’t practise self-control.