Thursday thought

 Can old cheeses ignite new friendships?

 

Tête Tuesday

 Head chef.

Above: two heads are better than one

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Repost

Saturday sizzle

 

 

August draws to a close, vacationers return, and so do Paris' vibrant open-air markets.

Above: rôtisserie in full swing w/spire of Notre-Dame reflected in the window

 

Market Monday

 Pre-vacances load-up of apéro supplies at the Batignolles weekly organic market.

 Below: relaxing among stalls

 

 

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Sadly, Pistache, a neighborhood favorite for apéros entre amis, is permanently closed, but the apéro culture in Batignolles, an easy walking distance from Montmartre, remains alive/well, revolving around cozy wine bars, lively sidewalk terraces and local bistros. Here are just a few. Check if open in August:

 

Les Batignolles

vibrant, local, trendy neighborhood scenes 

 

Le Comptoir des Batignolles

casual, friendly with high tables and lively neighborhood feel
 

La Villa Batignolles

popular spot for relaxed evening drinks and a welcoming terrace
 

Le Bistrot de Cinéastes

cocktail bar near Place de Clichy with a speakeasy style  

 

Instants Vins Batignolles

classic, welcoming wine bar with heavy focus on high-quality pairings and a community feel

 

 

Window Wednesday

 

A testament to balanced living.

Hugo on feeding the mind through books, Descartes on feeding the body to support the mind.

Wine shop Wednesday

Delectables in a small room at the back of a small wine shop.

 

La Cave des Abbesses

43 rue des Abbesses 75018 

 

 

Strawberry Sunday

 

It's la saison des fraises, and that means strawberry tarts. 

 

🍓🍓🍓

Out on a lamb

 

 

 

The confit d'agneau arrived topped with flaming thyme sprigs.

 

Chez L'Ami Jean

27 rue Malar 75007

 

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My 5 favorite bistrots

 

June newsletter 

 

Mocha Monday

 

A light breakfast with café crème, chocolat chaud, golden chai.

 Les Cinq Marches.

 Café-Cantine 

12 rue Girardon 75018

 

 

 

Frites Friday

 Proof that happiness is hand-held... One frite at a time.

Above: fries topped w/house truffle mayo and parmesan shavings

PATATE

36 rue Saint-André des Arts 75006

 

 

 

Tasting Tuesday

 

 

A very special evening with very special friends.

 

 💕

 

 Paris dining can be a gamble - even at revered Michelin-starred spots where atmosphere and reputation sometimes mask uneven execution. Their clientele, often made up of passing tourists, mostly from the U.S. and drawn in by rave reviews, can leave feeling shortchanged and unlikely to return. When complaints surface, the response is often swift but superficial: a polished, formulaic apology (typically in French - “Nous sommes désolés pour votre expérience, nous espérons vous revoir bientôt”) - followed by a bit of digital stagecraft. Suddenly, pristine photos of the very dishes in question appear online, looking nothing like what arrived at the table - or what showed up as an Instagram video when a celebrity chef just happened to have stopped by - paired with a fresh wave of glowing reviews ready to lure the next round of hopeful diners. - BPJ
 
May newsletter: Spotting the right spots

 

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“If you have two stars or three stars in Michelin then you have a duty to your customers to be behind your stove. I was always behind my stove for every single service because that’s what you’re paying for. Why would I want to go to a three-star Michelin and the chef whose name is above the door is in America? I’m not paying for his sous-chefs. I want the individual. It’s as simple as that.” Marco Pierre White 

 

Thoughtful Thursday

 

Food for thought.

 

Above: this Salade Nordique happens to be loaded with "brain-friendly" ingredients

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For years, even the most modest cafés and bistros in Paris have been (unwittingly) serving up brain-boosting salads. Who hasn’t sat down expecting to see at least one of these in the usual lineup - Salade Niçoise, Salade de Chèvre Chaud, Assiette de Crudités, Salade Lyonnaise, or fatty fish variations - on the menu. Each of these salad classics rely on fresh, minimally processed ingredients and a simple olive-oil-based dressing, the very core of Mediterranean-style eating long associated with better brain (and heart) health.

With cognitive decline soaring worldwide and the use of trendy "smart drugs" on the rise - though studies are now showing they might be riskier than believed as they appear to work at first but may backfire with long-term use (6 months or more) - many are trading in their meds/supplements for mindful (pun intended) meals. - BPJ

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What makes the above salad "brain-supportive": 

Smoked salmon (the "Nordic" element) - reduces neuroinflammation, improves blood flow to the brain, rich in omega-3 fatty acids which build and protect neuronal membranes. Linked to better memory and slower progression of cognitive issues

Avocado - provides monounsaturated fats and lutein to enhance cerebral blood flow, support neural efficiency and help combat oxidative stress

Poached egg - delivers high-quality complete protein, choline for vascular and neural support plus lutein and zeaxanthin to combat oxidative stress and promote healthy blood flow with zero added fats or oils 

Leafy greens / mixed raw veggies (base w/cucumber, beetroot, more) - packed with folate, vitamin K, lutein, and antioxidants

Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower etc. scattered generously) - supply magnesium, zinc, iron, vitamin E and key minerals and antioxidants that protect brain cells from damage

Fresh herbs and a light olive oil dressing - add anti-inflammatory polyphenols and healthy fats for better nutrient absorption

Bon Appétit!

Mimosa Monday

 Winner - World Championship Egg Mayonnaise 2026

 

Above: each one a dainty mouthful 

  

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Soon after learning that Mathieu Renucci, passionate chef-patron who revived the historic 1921 bistro Au Rêve in Montmartre, and co-creator Yves Séné had recently won the 7th edition of the Championnat du Monde de l'Œuf Mayonnaise - World Egg Mayonnaise (sometimes mistaken as Oeuf Mimosa, the less-fussy French cousin of the American deviled egg that features sieved yolk "petals" on top) Championship - I knew I had to try it. This quirky contest is run by the Association de Sauvegarde de l'Œuf Mayonnaise (ASOM), a group whose noble (and slightly tongue-in-cheek) mission is to safeguard this endangered French entrée classic that has, sadly, been quietly disappearing from bistro menus. 

 

At just 9 euros, three modest snowy halves arrived on a plate cloaked in a silky house-made mayo, each concealing a medallion of leeks vinaigrette beneath, each crowned with a haughty "hat," a tiny crouton perched at a jaunty angle. As applause erupted from adjacent tables, it was one of those perfect, light-hearted Parisian moments that felt like a scene from a movie. And while the portion was small, we had to admit it was big on flavor. When we looked up, more of the prize-winning oeufs had arrived and everyone was eagerly sampling from each other’s plates. A prix well-deserved. - BPJ

 

Au Rêve

89 rue Caulaincourt 75018

 

Sunny Sunday

 

 

The sun has cast a shadow through a sign on the window of a closed café:

 

"Championnat du Monde du l'Oeuf Mayonnaise 2026"

 World Championship Eggs Mayonnaise 2026

 

Tomorrow:

The eggs that put a small Montmartre café-bistro on the map

 

 

Table Tuesday

Optimistic despite still-chilly weather.

 

Meringue Monday

 

Giant almond meringues light up a pátisserie window.

Window Wednesday

 This shop, renowned for its brioches aux pralines roses, stocks a variety of original gift ideas.

 

Pâtisserie Chocolaterie Pralus

9 rue des Petits Carreaux 75002 

 

Throwback Thursday

 

Today's throwback is to Le Train Bleu, the elegant restaurant overlooking the tracks inside the Gare de Lyon, from where trains still depart daily for the sun-drenched South of France. If the gastronomy doesn't lure you in (be sure to order their tableside-prepped Crêpes Suzette flambéed with Grand Marnier for dessert), the breathtaking decor certainly will: 41 monumental paintings by renowned Belle Époque artists adorn the walls and soaring ceilings, depicting tempting Côte d'Azur destinations to whet the appetite for travel. - BPJ

 

Soufflé Saturday

 

Blown away in Paris... One soufflé at a time.

 

Above: le soufflé au Grand Marnier

 

Joséphine Chez Dumonet

117 rue du Cherche-Midi 75006

 

 

Sweet Sunday

 

 Sweets for your sweet prolong the Valentine's Day weekend.

 

Above: decadent Paris-Brest pastries

 

La Grande Épicerie

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

24 rue de Sèvres 75007 

 

 Open Sunday 10 AM - 8 PM