Drink like a Parisian
We’ll always have Paris… Part 1.
I use Parisians as the analogy here, not because I make a habit of sweeping generalisations, but simply because it was when I lived in Paris for five years, that I noticed a significant difference in how the Parisians (well, the French in general actually) and the Brits drink and enjoy alcohol. The difference was pretty astonishing!
I love Paris. I’m not sure if it’s true that places can bring out different sides of your character, but if it is, Paris brought out a good side in mine! I was pregnant for a decent proportion of the time – both my kids were born there, which meant I was in a particular head space (more of this another time) but aside from that, there’s something about Paris that’s more about savouring the small things that I really noticed and began to appreciate. You see very little binge drinking in Paris, for example, but instead a focus on ‘one moment of luxury’… a beautiful glass of wine, an incredible dessert, a seasonal artichoke with butter, one cup of Chocolate Chaud from a recipe unchanged since 1647! Whatever it is, it’s the slow savour and then, importantly, the ability to stop… this was what I was keen to learn from.
This deep and slow appreciation for the good things is intrenched in French culture and I love this about them as it feels to me like the best approach to life!
The Parisian’s live and breathe a ‘less is more’ philosophy and this is evident through everything from food and drink, fashion (capsule wardrobe anyone?), beauty, interiors and so on.
I now take a Parisian approach to drinking alcohol. It was the mantra inside my head when I decided to take my first glass of wine after giving up alcohol for 18 months. I said to my husband, who firmly agreed: “If we can drink wine like the Parisian’s do, then we can drink again, but if we can’t, then we won’t drink at all”
‘If we can drink wine like the Parisian’s do, then we can drink again, but if we can’t, then we won’t drink at all’.
Because wine was never meant to be drunk at the rate of knots – however this is how I often consumed it before I took my alcohol-holiday – and I wasn’t alone! I would drink, even a lovely, expensive, rare vintage wine with food and enjoy it as it was meant to be enjoyed but also knowing that it would probably make me drunk and that always seemed like an excellent idea! But that mindset seems such a shame to me now…
I have worked with enough wine clients over the years to see the love on their faces when they present their latest cuvée: the passion, artistry and mastery poured into the whole process, the timing, the climate, the harvest, the winemaking-techniques, the design… look around any Parisian Bistro or restaurant and everyone takes it seriously – no one is glugging!
Well, so far my ‘drink like a Parisian’ mantra is working and I can say very honestly that it’s with no effort at all now. I will enjoy a beautiful glass of red wine with my meal and not need to drink more, and more… I don’t want to be drunk, I want to enjoy the experience. I want to remember it in the morning. As much as I’d like however, I’m never going to pull off a pair of skinny jeans like the Parisian women can, they are extremely unique that way!!
Some of my favourite Parisian places to savour the good things:
*Friendly warning! During these unusual times, please check that venues remain open and stay safe!
Angelina – Rue de Rivoli
This place is belle époque heaven having been impressing customers with its charm since 1903. The ‘must haves’ here are Angelina’s Chocolat Chaud and the Mont-Blanc but they really should come with a warning: “Parisians’s wouldn’t dream of ordering these together, because it’s too much’! The hot chocolate is extraordinarily indulgent and thick, I had never experienced anything like it until I tried it – the sweetness almost too much to bear. Almost. But of course, it’s balanced, perfectly hot and comes in a classic white jug that’s crying to be poured. The cream isn’t the straw to break the camel’s back, in fact it sits calmly on the top and of course, softens the heat and tempers the sweetness.
The Mont-blanc, a sweet chestnut French classic pastry is other-worldly. Beautifully imagined and presented. The piped sweet chestnut gives it a dream-like texture. The combination of the two is a little too heady for most normally functioning adults – definitely one for sharing!!
…..
Frenchie Bar a Vins
Restaurant Frenchie bar à vins
6, rue du Nil
75002
Well, it kind of says it all on their beautiful website:
“Everything, I want to eat everything’!!!
Grégory Marchand’s Frenchie has a legendary status among Parisians not just for the quality of its food, but for the almost next-level effort required to secure a coveted spot in the tiny dining room. Don’t panic though, there’s a Frenchie Bar à Vins across the street, where you can sample his Anglo-influenced (yes, it’s possible even in Paris) take on bistro cooking without a reservation. What I love about this place, apart from the amazing food, is the great wine you can buy by the glass.
Grégory says: “There’s something so very easy-going and friendly about the Wine Bar: you can come alone or with friends, eat standing at the counter or sitting at one of the high tables. The food is simple, yet elegant: terrines, fresh pasta, perfectly prepared vegetables, flavourful family-style dishes. And, of course, a broad selection of wines that you can enjoy by the glass.
Divided into categories such as meat, fish and antipasti, with two or three small plates on offer for each, the menu encourages nibbling and sharing – but it can be hard to share so take that as a warning! There’s an encyclopaedic sized book of wine, including, as mentioned, excellent wines served by the glass (a Savagnin from Dugois at €7 a glass, a Burgundy red from Henri and Gilles Buisson at €9, a Jurançon from the Domaine de Souch at €10…), and some heavy weight naturals on the menu too: Kreydenweiss, Reynaud, Berlioz, Overnoy, Massereau, Barret… (bottles starting at €30).
Small plates €7-24 http://www.frenchie-bav.com
Stohrer – 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002
The oldest Patisserie in Paris – depuis 1730… worth a visit simply from that perspective alone. However, as you might imagine, there are some pastries that deserve to be on your list as they’ve been the resident show stoppers for so long! My personal favourites are their coffee eclaire – I think eclairs can be very disappointing in general but not these ones! Light pastry, delicate cream and the icing on the top, generous and beautifully textured. Quite small too, so you should really buy a few!
Merci Paris
I LOVE this place! It’s Parisian with an extra layer of Parisian! A concept store with a gorgeous cafe inside.
The store is huge – which is something of a luxury in Paris! Housed in an elaborate reconfigured 19th-century fabric factory across three generous floors – Parisian must-haves from fashion furniture, jewellery, stationery, homeware, children’s wear are stylishly curated throughout the space. Entering through the impressive courtyard has some definite wow factor and the stationary little red MERCI branded fiat car has become a well known Parisian icon!
The Literary Café is great for caffè Latte and brunch. I recommend the eggs! It’s a great shopping/foodie experience. Beware though, shopping here doesn’t come cheap but it’s worth it for quality/unusual investment pieces… also, it’s with bearing in mind that MERCI’s philosophy is a generous one – it gives a decent chunk of its profits to charity.
AMOUR
8 Rue de Navarin, 75009
Amour was down the road from where I lived in Paris and a really nice treat because it has a great outdoor courtyard space which felt pretty rare in the 9th arrondissement. It’s red neon AMOUR sign shines brightly amongst the typical Haussmanian architecture and a cheeky little nod to its Pigalle location. The food is classic Brasserie but it’s mainly a place to go an enjoy a lovely glass of wine and people watch! Try: German Riesling from Rita and Rudolf Trossen (€45-50 a bottle) Or there’s some really goo cocktails, like the Passion Déchainée (Havana rum 7 años, lime, passion fruit purée and roasted pineapple syrup) and the mocktails are worth trying too!
And don’t forget, it has it’s own boutique shop where you can pick up very original souvenirs such as a cool pair of AMOUR knickers for an eye-watering €45! Look, nobody said is was going to be a cheap trip!
https://eshop.hotelamourparis.fr/products/culottes-les-dessous-de-l-amour?variant=37685701607614
Musée Jacquemart-André
Depending on your mood, a feast for the eyes or a relaxing terrace lies just a few minutes away from the Champs-Elysées, in an impressive building full of Renaissance paintings and rare over the top (in a good way) furniture. The tea room is packed full of giant pieces of art – an amazing backdrop for a pot of vanilla tea or a yummy glass of champagne on the terrace at the end of the day!
So, enjoy drinking like a Parisian in Paris!
