Saturday séjour

Up and out early to the village market. But first, coffee.

Easy day/weekend trips from Paris

May newsletter 

Frites Friday

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

Above: fries topped w/truffle sauce and parmesan shavings

PATATE

36 rue Saint-André des Arts 75006

 

 

 

Throwback Thursday

The Grand Palais sparkles through winter trees.

*** 

Exhibition: 

Henri Matisse

1941 - 1954

 

Ends July 26, 2026 

 

 

Wednesday whimsy

 

 

It's the second house on the right with a girl on an ostrich.

 

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 

 

Mocha Monday

 L'Art de... Vivre. Coffee and fruit.

Soaring Saturday

The awe-inspiring nave of the Collège des Bernardins, founded in 1245.

***

If you like to bask in Gothic architecture as much as I do, then this little-known-to-outsiders collège, a former Cistercian college/monastery complex of the University of Paris, hits all the marks. It includes significant surviving Gothic elements from the original Cistercian monastic buildings and cloister area that were part of the dense cluster of religious and scholarly institutions in the medieval Latin Quarter. A vibrant cultural venue today, it regularly hosts a rich program of concerts (especially classical music, chamber music, and sacred music), along with many other activities. Its Gothic nave offers exceptional acoustics, which makes performances feel almost transcendent. - BPJ

Collège des Bernardins

20 rue de Poissy 75005

Floral Friday

 

Coffee and flowers... and iced matcha, pastries, more.

 Café les Artizans

64 rue de Seine 75006

  

Thursday therapy

Cellphones: the portable therapist.

 

Walking the dog Wednesday

 

A golden retriever illuminates Place de Furstemberg on a gray morning.

 

Tête-à-tête Tuesday

 A heart-to-heart with the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral as a backdrop.

 

Mona Monday

The eyes have it.

Exhibition:

Discover the Renaissance

 

Da Vinci, Raphael, Michaelangelo...

   

L'Atelier des Lumières

38 rue Saint-Maur 75011

 

Ends June 27, 2026

 

Saturday sips

An early start.

 

Fragrant Friday

 

 

The scent of lavender fills the air at a Left Bank market.

 

Thoughtful Thursday

 

Food for thought.

 

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

***

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

*** 

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!

Window Wednesday

 

The Pyramide du Louvre.

 

Tight Tuesday

A Citroën 2CV makes its way through a Montmartre alley with room to spare.

 

Mocha Monday

 Easter Monday morning treat of Irish Coffees / Cafés Irlandais.

 

Sunrise Sunday

A very Happy Easter / Joyeuses Pâques 2026

 

Above: blush-pink sweet-scented “Elegant Lady” lilies a.k.a. the "Pink Easter Lily” 

 

 

Samedi saint

 Partial view inside l'Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont in the Latin Quarter.

Floral Friday

Beauty lingers in a small square on the Left Bank.

Thursday thought

 

 

Outdoor seating officially returned yesterday but the weather didn't get the memo.

 

Still water Wednesday

 The Stravinsky Fountain at a standstill.

*** 

 The Centre Georges-Pompidou (a.k.a. Beaubourg) will be closed to the public til 2030 as it undergoes major renovation.

Twosome Tuesday

 

A place to embrace.

 

Mimosa Monday

 Winner - World Championship Egg Mayonnaise 2026

 

Above: each one a dainty mouthful 

  

***

 

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