Luxurious, bewitching, inspiring, spell-binding… Our selection of addresses is aimed at pleasure and ideas ! From absolute essentials to wonderful surprises, new experiences to enjoy and share.
The famous 2-star restaurant in the Grand Hyatt Martinez Hotel is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Named in homage to the most prestigious prize awarded at the International Film Festival, this legendary restaurant on the Croisette was inaugurated in May, 1985. In 1986, it won its first Michelin star thanks to the talent of chef Christian Willer. In 2001, he was seconded by Christian Sinicropi who took over in 2007. To mark the restaurant’s anniversary, a “Collection” menu has been designed to showcase all the signature dishes. Until the end of the year, prestige evenings featuring menus created in tandem with other star-rated guest chefs are also on the programme. Martinez, 73 la Croisette, Cannes (04 92 98 74 14).
A renowned adddress whose menu follows the random results of the day’s catch, the restaurant Le Duc specializing in fish and seafood since 1967 continues to whet the appetites of discerning gourmets. Quality and freshness are the bywords of this top-notch establishment where the fish, shell-fish and seafood all come from French coasts, caught by independent fishermen. Brittany lobster, Belon oysters and line-caught sea-bass are beautifully presented with a focus on simple preparation and precise cooking times, while the excellent service spiked with an extra touch of elegance adds further charm to these enticing dishes. A special mention for the homemade desserts which arrive in the dining-room on a wooden trolley, and especially the irresistible “îles flottantes”. So chic ! Le Duc, 243 boulevard Raspail, Paris 14 (01 43 20 96 30).
When talented pastry-chef Philippe Uracas (President of “Meilleurs Ouvriers de France Pâtissiers”) decides to pay tribute to one of France’s favourite desserts in a gourmet boutique at the heart of Paris, it is an invitation one can’t refuse ! Here, the profiterole desserts are prepared every 45 minutes and served by order. The menu offers a choice of about ten recipes, with ice-cream or custard cream, and every month a brand new ephemeral creation sees the light of day ! Profiterole chérie, 17 rue Debelleyme, Paris 3 (01 42 77 90 62).
Dreamt up by G.H.Mumm, the exceptional dinners dubbed “Machine à Goûter le Temps” are making a stopover in Nice, at the Chantecler in the Negresco Hotel. Chefs Jean-Denis Rieubland and Florent Ladeyn concoct a superlative menu accompanied by the most fabulous vintages of champagne. As places are limited, only 50 guests will enjoy the possibility of discovering this culinary adventure, on May 20th. Inscriptions : www.menusdelegende.com
Decor creating a serene atmosphere with intimate alcoves clad in natural materials and delicious dishes with exotic vegetables and premium meat (Iberian pork, Japanese and Australian wakyu, beef from Normandy…), all sprinkled with perfectly balanced Korean sauces... This recent address has certainly hit the spot, even for the wines diligently selected by sommelier Arthur Petillault. Soon Grill, 78 rue des Tournelles, Paris 3 (01 42 77 13 56).
This French firm proposing beauty treatments and specializing in phyto-cosmetology is opening its doors in two major establishments on the Côte d’Azur. The spas at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes and the Château Saint-Martin in Vence have opted for this signature synonymous with excellence, to create a choice of sophisticated treatments and the very best of natural cosmetics for the face and body. Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, boulevard JF Kennedy, Antibes (04 93 61 39 01). Château Saint-Martin & Spa, 2490 avenue des Templiers, Vence.(04 93 58 02 02).
Proposing original decor with a central counter made of white marble and a surprising ceiling over-run with plants, this enchanting countrified address is tucked away in Le Marais. It offers more than 30 kinds of tea which can be accompanied by homemade 100% organic pastries, such as granola-style cookies or airy cheesecake. A delightful sunny terrace prolongs this hideaway from the city. Lilly of the Valley, 12 rue du Petit Thouars, Paris 3 (01 57 40 82 80).
With a play of light, brick walls, a chequerboard floor, furniture of sleek design, this elegant address offers a congenial atmosphere conveyed by both its decor and cuisine. The tempting dishes are orchestrated by chef Vincent Deyres who has manned the ovens of great star-rated “toques” (Alain Ducasse, Jean Darroze…). Somewhere between bistro and tradition, with Corsican flavours as a bonus, the menu unfurls irresistible dishes with delicate starters, perfectly-cooked meat and bewitching desserts such as cheesecake with Corsican lemons. Augustin, 79 rue Daguerre, Paris 14 (01 43 21 92 29).
In the 5-star Hôtel du Castellet, a new gastronomic restaurant has just opened its doors. Chef Christophe Bacquié has taken over the former Monte Cristo, whose complete metamorphosis can be credited to the Cabinet d’Architecture Yvann Pluskwa. In this refined setting evoking the blue of the watery depths, the 2-star chef concocts modern, inventive cuisine giving precedence to Mediterranean fragrances. Hôtel du Castellet, 3001 route des Hauts du Camp, Le Castellet (04 94 98 37 77).
A TASTE OF SERENITY Essentially French, the cuisine prepared by chef Takayuki Honjo relies on high-quality produce from market-gardeners with whom he likes to talk and who provide him with inspiration. And what inspiration ! His dishes compete in purity, blending colours and flavours further enhanced by tasty stocks, herbs and vegetables, all adding strength to the aromas. It is all highly accomplished, refined and poetic ! Restaurant ES, 91 rue de Grenelle, Paris 7 (01 45 51 25 74).
At the very heart of Saint-Germain, Clover is a cosy little cocoon dreamt up by chef Jean-François Piège and his wife, Elodie. In the 40 m2 of this long, narrow restaurant, a pleasant blend of tiling and wood creates a discreet, refined atmosphere. Clover gives priority to instant cuisine featuring quality ingredients in ultra-fresh dishes : cabbage leaves with smoked herring, pollack fish with “croustilles”, crisp quinoa with aubergines and satay... As a bonus, an uplifting wine list with about 40 references including “vins d’auteurs”, exceptional vintages and foreign wines from Porto and Madeira. Clover, 5 rue Perronet, Paris 7 (01 75 50 00 05).
For its spring re-opening, the Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat has announced lots of novelties. Star-rated chef Didier Aniès unveils new proposals at La Véranda including a lunchtime menu at 68 €, and the star-rated restaurant Le Cap has updated its offerings of high gastronomy. Daily "Afternoon Teas" are also now proposed, and to keep an eye on one's waistline, pastry chef Luc Debove has come up with a dessert menu indicating the number of calories ! Finally, the Club Dauphin with its restaurant facing the heated Olympic seawater pool, right at the water's edge, offers discovery days at 200 € for two, including lunch and access to all the seaside facilities. 71 boulevard du Général de Gaulle, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (04 93 76 50 50).
Bearing the stamp of the multi-talented Starck and endowed with the expertise of the Alajmo brothers, owners of the “Gran Caffè Quadri” in Venice, this ultra-Italian address mixes styles and eras, elegance and gastronomy, with remarkable flair. Nestling in the wood-clad walls of the former workshop of the engraver Stern, the menus at the Caffè Stern propose mouth-watering Venetian offerings, from starter to coffee, straight from Verona. Caffè Stern, 47 Passage des Panoramas, Paris 2 (01 75 43 63 10).
These premises of 600 m2 dedicated to fitness and well-being cleverly play on clean design thanks to a streamlined style and an immense glass skylight. CWhite offers three rooms fitted with the latest machines, another room devoted to personalized coaching, a wide choice of group classes (Pilates, yoga, Sweat Boxing...), a Valmont spa. The experience is pursued in its restaurant where the menu proposes tempting, well-balanced meals. CWhite, 127 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, Paris 8 (01 53 53 50 50).
Once owned by a master porcelain-maker, La Bastide de Moustiers was renovated throughout by Alain Ducasse who fell in love with this residence surrounded by olive-trees. Comprised of 13 suites and rooms, this charming address is this year celebrating its 20th birthday. For the occasion, Alain Ducasse will personally greet his guests on the weekend of April 10th and prepare a sublime menu alongside star-rated chef, Christophe Martin. Chemin de Quinson, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (04 92 70 47 47).
A master of Japanese gastronomy with three Michelin stars, chef Toru Okuda has inaugurated a sushi bar a stone’s throw from his first address in Paris. An elegant cedarwood counter with 10 seats, where one can admire the extreme precision, virtuosity and unfailing rigour of his cuisine on precious menus sampled in all due solemnity. Noble, meticulous and tasty. A rare culinary experience. Sushi Okuda, 18 rue de Bocador, Paris 8 (01 40 70 19 19).
Born in 1925 and taken over by Alain Ducasse in 2007, this institution has just won its first star ! The freshness of the ingredients and their excellent quality are the keys to dishes concocted by talented chef Damien Leroux, who reveals the special taste of each different fish. The menu changes depending on the day’s catch and the chef’s inspiration, with signature dishes such as delicious thick fillets of line-caught sole fried in slightly salted butter to a lovely golden colour and garnished with potatoes from Noirmoutier. Everything basks in a chic decor with touches of natural wood and an Art Deco feel, whisking us off on a spell-binding excursion over the waves. Rech, 62 avenue des Ternes, Paris 17 (01 45 72 29 47).
Hidden away in a secret room in the kitchen-workshop of the restaurant Da Rosa, this very elegant “table d’hôtes” gives pride of place to intimacy. A large black marble table, 19th-C. chairs upholstered in mauve velvet, metal bookshelves filled with bottles of wine…, so much for the decor. What about the food ? A made-to-measure menu designed by the chef to correspond to the taste of each and every guest. Table d’hôtes Da Rosa, 15 rue de Basfroi, Paris 11 (01 77 37 31 71).
After its annual closing period, the Monte-Carlo Beach resort reopened its doors on March 6th. You can now benefit from the first rays of spring sunshine at the edge of its Olympic-sized pool, on the terrace sheltered by parasol pines, or that of the star-rated organic restaurant, “Elsa”. Until April 15th, this sublime villa just above the sea proposes a “Sea Dream” offer combining accommodation, a treatment at the spa, organic breakfast and an array of privileges in SBM establishments. Monte-Carlo Beach, avenue Princesse Grace, Roquebrune Cap-Martin (00 377 98 06 25 25).
On three floors giving a surface area of 210 m2 in the colours of the Swiss beauty care specialist renowned for its high level of expertise, this elegant address meets the most demanding requirements. All the collections of La Prairie treatments are presented here, personalized consultations are held in a lounge area, and three cabins welcome clients who benefit from exclusive Signatures treatments. Boutique La Prairie, 199 rue Saint Honoré, Paris 1 (01 42 21 18 72).
