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The Cupcakes!!
So with stunningly sunny weekends lately here in Paris, I have found myself taking really long walks all over the city leading me to discover more exciting treasures than usual. My most recent find? Miss Cupcake!!!
A tiny little cupcake shop nestled on the winding street of rue la Vieuville in Montmartre, I didn’t even think twice before going in and promptly buying a cupcake, a coffee and more. Who said that cupcakes are an American thing? Frenchies also do them quite well, I must say. Throw in some Kusmi tea, an adorably pink setting, and well, Miss Cupcake will be the “icing on your cake” of a day!
This guy knows where its at!
Cupcakes can be taken to go, or eaten “sur place,” the latter of which I highly recommend. Cupcakes are in between 2.50 to 3.50 euros a piece, tea is about 4 euros , and a smoothie is 4, 50 euros. They only take cash, and unfortunately it is not a great place to make a “pit stop” because they are no restrooms! The only drawback for what is otherwise a very pleasant and tasty cupcake experience.
Miss Cupcake
22 rue la Vieuville
75018, Paris
Metro: Abbesses
Sésame, 51, quai de Valmy, 75010, Paris
So as I mentioned in my last post, a lazy Sunday isn’t complete without a deliciously late brunch. A brunch where I can sit outside (preferably on a sunny “terrasse”) and watch life go by as I sip a café crème. The Canal St.Martin is perfect for this preferred activity of mine, and since I have become rather routine about it, I have sampled a great number of restaurants along the canal that are MUST TRYS if you haven’t done so already…
Sésame – A very cute but small restaurant that serves a proper brunch with all the bells and whistles. Eggs, toast with different kinds of spreading options like jams, honey, and nutella, salads, smoothies, great coffee all for the great price of about 20 euros. The hippie-like ambiance comes with the meal. Bonus: All fresh produce is organic!!
51, quai de Valmy, 75010, Paris
Canal St. Martin
Chez Prune – Grunge-like atmosphere à la Brooklyn before it got all hipster. Lots of tables outside for people watching, and the food is solid French brunch fare. Stops serving at 2pm so make sure to go before the kitchen closes.
36, rue Beaurepaire, 7501,0 Paris
La Marine – They have a killer goat cheese salad, but they are also know for their fish and seafood, hence their name “La Marine.” Their spacious interior is nice as it makes it easier to get a table on weekends when it is the most busy. It has the old French bistro thing going on, but for the prices (which are reasonably) you get a great meal overlooking the canal.
55, bis quai de Valmy, 75010, Paris
L’Atmosphère – Small bistro with outside tables that are splashed with sunlight and the glimmering reflections off the canal’s murky waters. Right next to the charming Antoine and Lili shops, it serves some delicious French dishes, but doesn’t necessarily have that traditional brunch of eggs, bacon and potatoes etc.
49, rue Lucien Sampaix, 75010, Paris
And last but not least….
Les Enfants Perdus,
Les Enfants Perdus – I HEART this place. Both a bar and a restaurant, they have a sweet courtyard in the back that is great for an afternoon beer or enjoying a late brunch. The place is a bit hidden, so when you go in, you really feel like you’ve discovered a kind of secret garden (with alcohol and food!). They are happy to let you linger over a Mariage Frères tea, and they have an selection of magazines and books you can browse through.
Food, well I will have to let the menu speak for itself. Click here to review it. It is hands down delicious! A wee bit pricey, but worth it. Whether it is a filet de Bar with provencal butter and fresh veggies, or braised lamb with honey and cumin and a broccoli gratin with almonds, everything is done just right and with a unique twist you won’t soon forget! My official Grisette rating is three Yums up!!
9, rue des Récollets, 75010, Paris
Rue Beaurepaire in the 10th arrondissement
Oh lazy Sundays… the kind of days where you just want to stroll in the streets, eat a late brunch, and well do a little shopping. A little retail therapy to cheer you up from some back to work blues…pourquoi pas?
Why not? Well first off most shops are closed on Sunday in Paris, as well as in most of France. Then, should you be looking to get food around 1pm or later, it also gets difficult as most Parisian restaurants aren’t too keen on serving late into the afternoon. All in all, it kind of ruins the whole lazy Sunday I look forward to at the end of my week… until I discovered RUE BEAUREPAIRE.
Rue Beaurepaire in the 10th arrondissement is glorious little Sunday haven I escape to now that the sun is shining bright and spring has arrived. Branching off from Place de la Republique and winding down to the canal St. Martin, this street has it all. Whether is a trendy shop (THAT IS OPEN) or a cool neighborhood bistro to grab some brunch, the charm and relaxed atmosphere is everything I am craving on a Sunday. And did I mention that it isn’t hardly as crowded as the Marais, and that beautiful bobo chic peeps are everywhere?
Here is a short list of the places open for business on Sunday:
American Apparel – great for trendy basics and old-school vintage redone with a modern edge. http://americanapparel.net/
10, rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris
Bazar Ethnique – has a great selection of clothing and accessories that are made of organic fabrics and materials. Distributes brands such as Lola Bon’Heure
25, rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris
Bel Air - 22, rue Beaurepaire, 75010
Bel Air – Not the Fresh Prince, just Bel Air. A hip and stylish joint that echoes the LA/Santa Monica fashion I grow up on. Bel Air makes some killer leather bags and satchels, and doesn’t completely empty your wallet! http://www.belair-paris.fr/
22, rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris
Boutique Liza Korn – Liza Korn is a stylist who styles to the likes of Vogue and now has her own boutique. She mixes soft romantic themse likes Liberty with a harder rocker flair. http://www.liza-korn.com/
19, rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris
Cotélac – a very chic shop that resembles a mix of Zara, Maje, Sandro rolled in one. Very bobo, very French. http://www.cotelac.fr/
30, rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris
Ekyog – ORGANIC, ethically produced and great ! Women’s and Children’s fashion http://www.ekyog.com/
33, rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris
Liza Korn - 19, rue Beaurepaire, 75010
Frivoli – vintage and gently used clothing and accessories, features brands such as Gucci, YSL, and more.
26 Rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris
Ikks – Fun mix of wearable casual chic clothes, lots of leather, silk, and cotton. This season has a nice splash of floral tops and dresses. (this goes for men and women, minus the floral dresses) http://www.ikks.com/
34, rue Beaurepaire, 75010,Paris
The Kooples – You’ve probably seen the ads with the hot (or not) couples, wearing mostly somber outfits that give off a punk/rock vibe. Pieces contain lace, studs, skulls, leopard print, and many shades of black! You get a free cloth bag with purchase, you’ve probably seen a handful of women toting their lunch and other miscellaneous items inside… http://www.thekooples.com/
32, rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris
Renhsen – Great selection of ultra-flattering jeans, and very stylish accessories! http://www.renhsen.com/
22, rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris
Canal St. Martin, just off rue Beaurepaire
As this posting got a bit long, my brunch short list will be the next blog posting, so stay tuned !!
Being an expat in Paris has its advantages, and well, also its disadvantages…just like any other place you find yourself in far away from home. While strolling through museums, drinking coffee on a terrace, or picnicking on the Champs de Mars is all great fun, there are times when as a foreigner in Paris, you feel like you just don’t fit in.
Going on two years in Paris now, I can’t help but sometimes feel a bit homesick for, well, my own people! Whether you are looking to meet new friends from your place of origin, networking, or just a moment to indulge in some good ol’ fashioned nostalgia, seeking out the folks from your alma mater might be the way to go!!
I joined the Columbia Alumni Club of France not too long after arriving in Paris. Much to my delight, the club had a slew of activities lined up through which I was able to join an entirely new (and what I found to be a very large) community of Americans living and working in Paris. Club events range anywhere from happy hours to museum visits, lectures, Thanksgiving dinners, and more!
Getting together with other Americans from time to time is refreshing, and oftentimes, I have found that that we all run into similar problems and issues when it comes to living in France. Listening to how they deal with the various obstacles of expat life is inspiring and comforting.
The diversity of careers and passions of the members of the Columbia Alumni Club of France make going to events always worth while as I always come out learning something new, and meeting someone new! After two years of attending various events, I have recently invested myself more by becoming a board member. (That is how much I like it!)
So really, don’t be shy!! Whether you are thinking about moving to France, are already settled in France, or are looking for new friends or professional contacts in France, seeking out the alumni club/network of your respective university can really be a great resource and opportunity to get all your questions answered!!
Should you be a Columbia alumnus, check our club website here: http://alumniclubs.columbia.edu or join us on Facebook.
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