Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Expert Advice: 11 Under-the-Radar Parisian Dining Spots

Search

Expert Advice: 11 Under-the-Radar Parisian Dining Spots

February 13, 2015

Graphic designer David Rager lived in Paris for several years with his wife, Cherie Messerli (together they designed several up-to-the-minute Parisian restaurants like Candeliaria, Glass, and Le Mary Celeste, to name a few), before moving back to LA recently. We asked him for a “stream of consciousness” tour of his favorite Parisian haunts. Here’s his list of 11 don’t-miss cafes, restaurants, and wine bars.

Expert Advice 11 UndertheRadar Parisian Dining Spots portrait 3

Above: “When we lived in the 9th arrondissement, Vivant (and later Vivant Cave) brightened the neighborhood. Vivant is housed in a former bird shop with the original beautiful walls still in place.” Photograph via David Lebovitz.

Expert Advice 11 UndertheRadar Parisian Dining Spots portrait 4

Above: “Heimat is a new restaurant from Pierre Jancou (former owner of Vivant). It’s located near the Palais Royale in the same building where Moliére lived and died.” Photograph via Simon Says. Expert Advice 11 UndertheRadar Parisian Dining Spots portrait 5

Above: “Down the block is Verjus, which is always great. The wine bar on the ground floor is a good spot to pop in for a drink and a snack, and it’s the only place in Paris where you’ll find amazing fried chicken.” Photograph via Verjus.

Expert Advice 11 UndertheRadar Parisian Dining Spots portrait 6

Above: “Also in the 9th is Autour d’un Verre, which was our favorite local hangout (solid home-cooked French food and an incredible natural wine list) and La Pointe du Grouin, which uses its own currency (we call it Grouin coins) and serves very reasonably priced meals and magnums of wine. It’s amazingly insane.” Photograph by Vin & Chere.

Expert Advice 11 UndertheRadar Parisian Dining Spots portrait 7

Above: “When we moved to the Place des Vosges, our go-to spot was Chez Janou, which is a good mix of tourists and locals. It’s the kind of spot every neighborhood needs, open seven days a week (a rarity in Paris). The atmosphere is lively, the ratatouille is great, and the pastis menu is huge.” Photograph via Monsieur Marcel.

Expert Advice 11 UndertheRadar Parisian Dining Spots portrait 8

Above: “James Henry’s restaurant Bones is another spot we’d find ourselves at quite often. You can sit at the bar and order from the bar menu, which includes great wine and beer. Or you can plan in advance for one of the two seatings they do every night; the food can get quite adventurous.” Photographh via the NY Times.

grazie paris restaurant 10

Above: “When we wanted something easy, we’d go to Grazie for a pizza and an Aperol spritz, or to Breizh Cafe for a crepe and cider.” Photographs of Grazie, shown here, via Garance Dore.

Expert Advice 11 UndertheRadar Parisian Dining Spots portrait 10

Above: “Prior to Bones, James was at Au Passage, which is still great and is around the corner from Le Repaire de Cartouche (shown above), which recently converted their downstairs into a wine bar with a nice little menu.”

Expert Advice 11 UndertheRadar Parisian Dining Spots portrait 11

Above: “Camille Fourmont’s La Buvette on Rue Saint Maur is also a really cute/fun place to stop by for an apero, natural wines, and great small plates.” Photographs via La Buvette. Expert Advice 11 UndertheRadar Parisian Dining Spots portrait 12

Above: “Nearby, at Le Servan, a former tabac/PMU turned into a restaurant, I had one of my favorite meals of 2014.”

Expert Advice 11 UndertheRadar Parisian Dining Spots portrait 13

Above: “And finally, Yard Restaurant, located in a former construction yard, is always a great time.” Photograph via Yard. Alexa dropped in on David and his wife, Cheri at their Paris apartment a couple of years ago; see her post Californians in Paris: David Rager and Cheri Messerli.

Travel with us: Go to our City Guides for our favorite hotels, shops, and restaurants worldwide.

(Visited 772 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0