Like a true Parisian, my daily life in Paris remains very local. I very rarely venture out beyond the comforts of my arrondissement, so this version of Going Out in Paris is pretty much limited to the circumference around my apartment in the 10th, and my daily commute to the gallery [Fitzpatrick Gallery] in Le Haut-Marais.
BREAKFAST
Tout Autour du Pain
A classic French breakfast is very simple – it pretty much consists of a coffee, a cigarette, and a croissant. At Tout Autour du Pain, just up the block from the gallery, I’ll start the work week grabbing a bundle of buttery croissants for me and my staff. This small, classic boulangerie is notable for its award- winning baguette. No frills, nothing fancy.
Holybelly
There are Sundays when I wake up craving an American diner style brunch: bacon, eggs and pancakes drenched in maple syrup … This place perfected the American diner breakfast. This place has a line around the block on Sundays, but it’s well worth the wait.
LUNCH
Café de la Poste
I couldn’t do a write up on my favorite spots in Paris without mentioning Café de la Poste, where I have at least one meeting a day, as it’s conveniently located across from the gallery. They’re open from early morning to late at night, and serve everything from a classic cappuccino to signature cocktails. I eat lunch here at least once a week and have tried everything on the menu, from their health bowls to their cheeseburger, which is honestly one of the best burgers on the planet.
SOMA Saintonge
Another favorite lunch spot of mine, SOMA is another great place to have a business lunch with their creative variations on Japanese bento.
Sol Semilla
Sometimes, the inner Californian in me craves a vegan health-conscious lunch. Sol Semilla serves a menu of seasonal, plant-based bowls, and yummy juices to boost your immune system.
COFFEE BREAK
Perlant
A small but cozy spot for coffee.
Umami Matcha Café
When I want a break from coffee, I like to hit up Umami for a nice frothy matcha. It’s a nice, quiet spot for a date, and also has a wide assortment of sweets.
Café Verlet
For an impressive classic café experience, look no further than Café Verlet – the scent of their coffee grinds fly up your nostrils with every inhale. It’s one of my favorite spots in Paris, and not as touristy as Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots.
DINNER
Le Hangar
I was introduced to this restaurant many years before moving to Paris at a gallery dinner during FIAC (RIP). It’s where I have held many of my own gallery dinners, and is one of my favorite restaurants in Paris. Tucked away in a quiet back alley next to Centre Pompidou, it’s a great place to unwind after a day of shopping or gallery-hopping. I’m like an old man, and prefer to eat a meal in silence, and this is where know you won’t be disturbed by a loud crowd. My favorite dish is the foie gras steak atop potato purée.
Le Dauphin
A smooth marble bar designed by Rem Koolhaas and Clement Blanchet, as well a a great selection of affordable vins naturels make Le Dauphin a very lively restaurant, and the tapas make it a perfect spot to celebrate a birthday with a group of friends.
LE VERRE VOLÉ
Le Verre Volé has one of the best selections of wine in my neighborhood, and is a great choice for a date or a small group of friends. Not ideal for a larger group, as the restaurant is very small.
Le Grand Colbert
For a more opulent dining experience, head to Le Grand Colbert. With classics like oysters and steak frites, this upscale brasserie is a fun choice if you want a truly Parisian meal.
DAY TRIP
Fontainebleau
About an hour via train from Paris Internationale
If you’re looking for a break from the city, then the magical forest of Fontainebleau is a perfect destination for a day trip, where you can easily spend hours climbing the hills and ancient rocks of Bière. A visit to Jean Tinguely’s masterpiece Le Cyclop in Milly-la-Forêt is a must, as is the 12th-century darling Chapelle Saint‑Blaise des Simples with the Jean Cocteau mural. The many ponds in the gardens of the Château de Courances also makes this destination a perfect spot to cool off on a hot summer day.
For more on wining and dining in the city of lights, see Eugenia Lai’s Going Out in Paris 2018.