La Seine Musicale

but also one of the most popular places for its concerts dedicated to all kinds of music.

Red velvet benches, subdued lights and black paint from floor to ceiling, we find here all the codes of the New York jazzy bars. With live music playing in the background, you can sit back and sip on the beautiful creations on the menu, such as the Bacon Old Fashion or the Piaf, a signature cocktail that mixes rye whisky, homemade sesame syrup, lemon, egg white and poppy. Enough to make you want to extend the evening by going to the other room with piano and turntables, hidden behind an imposing curtain.

We like the chic decor with its charcoal gray facade, its dining room flanked by library walls and the zinc counter, all extended by a vast terrace facing the city’s theater. But here, one comes above all to taste the cuisine of Norbert Tarayre, whose buzz makes one forget that he is above all a remarkable chef with classical training, like Marc Veyrat and Bernard Loiseau. Here he treats a conquered public to impeccable bistronomy with organic eggs enhanced with leek fondue, smoked haddock and ponzu mayonnaise; squid ink risotto awakened by snacked chipirons or roasted veal and its smoked onion purée. All refreshed by food and wine pairings recommended by the sommelier, always very inspired.

Located on the esplanade of La Défense in the heart of the Oxygen space, Octopus combines two key assets. A room with a contemporary design and bay windows that open onto the historic axis of the capital (the Arc de Triomphe, the Obelisk of Concorde, the Louvre Palace). A cuisine with Basque accents, imagined by Géraldine Rumeau under the guidance of the Rostang house, with real nuggets such as this Angus beef picanha or this white cuttlefish and espelette pepper risotto. Very popular at lunch and dinner, Octopus is also a perfect afterwork meeting place with cocktails by Sterling Hudson, from the Liquid Corp group – partner of the adventure. Our favorite? The Mecano, a Paloma revisited with Tequila, Tawny port infused with grapefruit, lime, gum arabic syrup and lemonade. Sip it at the sumptuous XXL central bar while watching the sun set over the city’s rooftop forest.

After Saint-Ouen and the Buttes-Chaumont, the Chantzios brothers -associated with chef Juan Arbelaez- have chosen to set up shop on the parvis de la Défense with the same ambition. To renew Greek cuisine with contemporary proposals, with Mediterranean influences. We love the subtly lightened classics: moussaka, skioufikta (small Cretan pasta with seasonal vegetables and goat cheese) or the pitas which come in four versions: lamb, chicken, beef or halloumi in veggie mode, accompanied by tzatziki, red onion pickles and fresh herbs. So many delights to take away or eat on the spot in the decor signed Olivier Delannoy and inspired by the Cretan city of Chania, the island’s ancient remains or the purple waters of the Aegean Sea…

In the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, the Jardin d’Acclimatation is once again a children’s paradise… The proof is in the form of its 18 hectares of dreamy vegetation dotted with meadows for games and picnics, its 43 rides and attractions (roller coasters, ghost hunts, etc.), its 15 ponies for rides, and its 450 animals divided between the large aviary, the small Normandy farm and the educational apiary. The place also houses an excellent Italian table (da Antonino), an ice cream stand, a crêperie and small pavilions where you can take a break and eat. Ideal after a visit to Guignol, a ride in a flying chair or on the Toupie which makes the little ones travel in a customized 2CV and in an Apollo capsule…

We know its high towers and its arch topped by a 110m high roof terrace, but we know less that the business district also wants to be an open-air museum with about fifty works of art placed on the esplanade and its surroundings. On the menu? Caesar’s huge thumb, Calder’s red spider, two fantastic characters by Miro and the mechanical bird by the Greek sculptor Philolaos, the first work acquired in the 1970s. The premises also house frescoes, fountains and sculptures by prestigious artists and the municipality has chosen to enrich this collection with a new work each year, on the occasion of its festival of contemporary art (Les Extatiques). A must-see, as well as the Défense jazz festival or the Urban week, a remarkable street culture event.

In place of the old Pershing Hall Hotel built in the 17th century, the American label signed by Ronnie Fieg radiates around a central patio planted with trees from which the visit begins. And what a visit! The only French branch of the New York restaurant dedicated to Sadelle’s brunch (bagels and chocolate babkas to die for), several floors devoted to the most fashionable sneakers but also a women’s, men’s and children’s street-wear, a selection of vintage design and a cereal and ice cream bar “Kith Treats”. Here, we also take the time to admire the decoration: marble stairs, huge volumes, sparkling gilding and ultra-realistic airplane cabin to complete the immersive experience.

Red velvet benches, subdued lights and black paint from floor to ceiling, we find here all the codes of the New York jazzy bars. With live music playing in the background, you can sit back and sip on the beautiful creations on the menu, such as the Bacon Old Fashion or the Piaf, a signature cocktail that mixes rye whisky, homemade sesame syrup, lemon, egg white and poppy. Enough to make you want to extend the evening by going to the other room with piano and turntables, hidden behind an imposing curtain.

New address of the Paris-society group (Giraffe, Mr Bleu, Perruche…), this rooftop restaurant is like an ode to a dreamed Asia, with its precious fabrics and secret alcoves, its velvet armchairs and lacquered wood. The terrace and its greenhouse, a paradise filled with vegetation that opens onto the Eiffel Tower or the Sacré Coeur, is a great show. Indoors or outdoors, you can enjoy high-flying Japanese cuisine or the delights of the sushi bar, which offers sashimi, california and tataki, not to mention the pastries of Yann Couvreur. A mention also for the cocktails (delicious Kagami: vodka, vintage sake, Earl Grey, lemon and Aquafaba) served with tempura and nigiri.

We love this poetic place where cups and teapots are piled up from floor to ceiling and where we sit down at lunchtime to taste quiches of the day, duck parmentiers or organic eggs with salmon… But the best is yet to come with the great classics of French pastry, reinterpreted with talent. Among our favorites, the mythical Pavlova, Mont Blanc and Paris Brest, but also the Russian chocolate tea tart or the divine Lovely rose (almond cookie with raspberry chips, hint of rose and vanilla). As warm as dynamic, the place also offers brunches, birthday parties and even pastry classes.

but also one of the most popular places for its concerts dedicated to all kinds of music.

on the roof terrace of the Great Arch with a unique view of Paris, 110 meters up and, as a bonus, the excellent cuisine of Jérôme Vigato.