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.
For its third season, the Fabula restaurant has reopened on the extraordinary terrace of the Carnavalet Museum, this year with star-rated Chef Thomas Chislom at the helm. In this idyllic setting, summer evenings have a taste of paradise accentuated by precise, creative offerings by this chef who conjures up dishes rather like canvases, in vibrant homage to the museum’s paintings. Set back from the bustle of city life, Fabula is a soothing address offering enchanting time out. Fabula au Musée Carnavalet, 16 rue des Francs Bourgeois, Paris 4. www.fabula.paris
On the roof of the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel, newly taken over by the Annie Famose group, Le Plongeoir is decidedly THE hot-spot in which to relish the summer in Biarritz. Enjoying the loveliest panoramic views of the town and ocean, this high-flying terrace is decked out in Bohemian-chic decor, cheerful and contemporary. In a festive ambiance, Le Plongeoir is also, and above all, a wealth of little dishes with Japanese accents and a selection of refreshing, flavoursome drinks ! Rooftop le Plongeoir au Radisson Blu, 1, Carrefour d’Hélianthe, Biarritz (05 59 01 13 13). www.leplongeoir-biarritz.fr
This enticing address in the neighbourhood of Les Halles treats guests to homemade pastries straight from the oven from 9 a.m. before inviting them to savour comforting lunch proposals such as “croque-monsieur” topped with Cantal cheese cream, or kebab-style lamb. Then, surprise ! In the evening, Le Gast is transformed into a modern bistro offering tasty seasonal dishes accompanied by a selection of 60 lively wines. Restaurant Gast, 14 rue Bertin Poirée, Paris 1 (09 74 64 01 09).
Save the date ! On September 17th, South Korean Chef Park Sungho will unfurl his talent at L’Adresse for the duration of a one-off dinner. On the programme, a menu tailormade for pairing with vintages from La Maison de Champagne Thiénot. At the initiative of the Fulgurances consultancy and events agency which created L’Adresse - a trampoline restaurant for the young guard in gastronomy -, this special evening promises many wonderful surprises. Restaurant l’Adresse, 10 rue Alexandre Dumas, Paris 11 (01 43 48 14 59).
Beautiful, brand new, this bistro a stone’s throw from L’Odéon is the latest address of Linda Lee, the successful Korean restaurant-owner (Misu, Mari Mari). In decor opting for elegance, Sétopa pays tribute to K-food in ultra-refined version. Running the show, two renowned chefs with experience at leading tables in Seoul orchestrate the feast : Mingoo Kang (Mingles restaurant) and Chang-Ho Shin (ex-Joo Ok). Not to be missed : ravioli with oysters and tofu, chicken with pimento grilled on charcoal, and the diabolical “crème brûlée” with soybean paste. Wow ! Sétopa, 6 rue Dupuytren, Paris 6. (09 77 91 95 01).
Founded by the Clarisses nuns in 1604, then occupied by the Visitandines from 1803 until the 1980’s, this convent at the heart of the Old Town of Nice has just been transformed into a 5-star hotel designed, renovated and managed by Perseus. Full of tranquillity and serenity, and motivated by caring hospitality, it hosts three tables : Le Restaurant du Cloître, La Guinguette in the gardens, and the Bistro on Rue des Serruriers, proposing the finest local cuisine : barbajuans from La Roya, gnocchi with pistou sauce, lemon tarts... Nice. 1, rue Honoré Ugo. www.hotelducouvent.com
Incense venerated since the Age of Antiquity in Central America, copal is used in many rituals. It is the name chosen by Chef Juan Arbelaez for his beach restaurant in Cannes, the Copal Beach Club. An invitation to revel in escapism with dishes inspired by South America, shared in the midst of enchanting decor blending plantlife, natural materials, and velvet benchseats. Cannes. 63, boulevard de la Croisette. (04 93 94 25 43)
A Mediterranean refuge on the beach of Cavalière at the heart of Le Lavandou, this hotel with 58 rooms and suites invites guests to enjoy a stay at the water’s edge, facing Les Îles d’Or. This insider address with unimpeded panoramic views hosts a must restaurant for fans of Mediterranean cuisine and an elegant beach bar, perfect for cocktails while the sun goes down. Finally, Le Surplage invites guests to benefit from its boat, the Wellcraft Scarab 30, for a trip to the islands. Le Lavandou. 34 avenue du Cap Nègre. (04 98 04 37 37)
Reviving one of the most legendary stretches of sand in Ramatuelle, Chef Mathieu Pacaud has brought an old beach of Saint-Tropez back to life. Far from festive restaurants on the coast, Cybele adopts a certain Zenitude facing the bay’s turquoise waves. In this ambiance of a home on the seafront, the Chef prepares refined Mediterranean dishes based on fresh local products such as Greek-style melon, whole crayfish with basil-flavoured butter, or zucchini with spider crab stuffing. Ramatuelle. 4363 route des plages. www.cybeleramatuelle.com
A creation for gourmets with aromas of citrus and vanilla by Pastry Chef Boris Alliès and his Sous-chef Eloi Cabellan, this Riviera treat won this year’s Prize for the Best “Tarte Tropézienne”. This delicious local specialty is available for guests at La Maison Cheval Blanc Saint-Tropez on certain days of the week as a “today’s dessert” suggestion at La Terrasse in “cut-to-size” format, and also for its Riviera Evenings on Wednesdays. Saint-Tropez. Plage de la Bouillabaisse. (04 94 55 91 00)
In adorable pots bearing Ladurée colours and rather like macaroons, these chill-out creations are all about “gourmandise” with a capital letter ! Signed by executive pastry chef Julien Alvarez, the new ice-cream collection lines up all the flavours meeting fans’ desires : scented vanilla, intense pistachio, strong chocolate, tangy raspberry…, and reinvents itself thanks to addictive recipes. Disponibles dans les boutiques Ladurée. www.laduree.fr
Run by the American Hogsalt group, orchestrating many highly-prized restaurants in the USA, La Renommée is one of today’s most desirable addresses. A stone’s throw from the Bourse de Commerce, this restaurant proposes “haute couture” cinematographic decor with tapestries, wood panelling, leather benchseats and old paintings. On the menu, traditional dishes served with panache and a smile : XL marrow bone, grilled crayfish, rack of lamb, “sole meunière”, “crème caramel”… The bonus : a superb velvety bar in the basement, not to be missed. La Renommée, 95 rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 1er (01 40 39 93 70). www.renommee.paris
On the corner of Rue de Bretagne, Méert has arranged the delicacies responsible for its renown within the walls of an adorable spot with sublime retro decor. Borrowing the strong features of its flagship boutique on Rue Esquermoise in Lille, this new address thus proposes iconic waffles with Madagascar vanilla, made all day long in the boutique’s laboratory. Along with brioches, macaroons, “pâtes de fruits”, “orangettes”, cakes and madeleines, all tempting the tastebuds! Plus a collection of teas with a thousand-and-one flavours. Magnificent ! Méert, 29 rue Debelleyme, Paris 3 (01 44 54 32 50). www.meert.fr
A secret getaway rather like an urban Garden of Eden surrounded by leafy walls, Le Jardin Privé at Novotel Paris Les Halles offers an enchanting interlude at the heart of the capital. For the summer season, Executive Chef Nicolas Amelin and his teams have inaugurated a Barbecue Menu with sun-blessed lunchtime dishes : green gaspacho, grilled octopus, swordfish steak with lemon and pimento… A congenial, laidback atmosphere, offering a foretaste of the holidays ! Novotel Paris les Halles, Jardin Privé, 9 place Marguerite de Navarre, Paris 1er. (01 42 21 31 31).
At a Sunday get-together in Paris, the Drouant brunch celebrates conviviality around the pleasure of brunch served at table. On the menu, its great classics (fresh juices, hot drinks, Viennese pastries, different kinds of bread) accompany the best dishes on the restaurant menu : iconic pâté in a crust, salmon smoked on-site, premium cold meats. But also eggs as you like them, gourmet dishes such as roasted Gâtinais poultry or crisp langoustines. Plus an option for fans of generous plates of vegetables. Not forgetting those with a sweet tooth, with a selection of irresistible desserts including the delicious chocolate waffle, or the famous “madeleine de Proust” to be shared ! Drouant, 16-18 Place Gaillon, Paris 2. www.drouant.fr
A new gastronomic chapter for the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Abysse is the new address of multi-starred Chef Yannick Alléno and his accomplice, Sushi Master Yasunari Okazaki. Inaugurated on July 9th, Abysse proposes fusion between two types of expertise. First, the modernity of French cuisine with a focus on sauces ; second, the great Japanese tradition. Cuisine arousing rare emotions ! Monaco. Hôtel Hermitage. Square Beaumarchais. (00 377 98 06 94 94)
A new gastronomic chapter for the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Abysse is the new address of multi-starred Chef Yannick Alléno and his accomplice, Sushi Master Yasunari Okazaki. Inaugurated on July 9th, Abysse proposes fusion between two types of expertise. First, the modernity of French cuisine with a focus on sauces ; second, the great Japanese tradition. Cuisine arousing rare emotions ! Monaco. Hôtel Hermitage. Square Beaumarchais. (00 377 98 06 94 94)
The new rooftop restaurant at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, Amù harmoniously blends traditions from the Côte d’Azur with Italian and Mediterranean culture. Amù means “love” in the Monégasque language. It in fact pays tribute to the Principality and its heritage while capturing the region’s romantic soul. To cap it all, a dazzling view of the French Riviera. Monaco. 12, avenue des Spéluges. (00 377 93 50 65 00)
Elevating the art of living into a real art for everyday life, the Leroy brothers have succeeded in transforming and embellishing their insider Toile Blanche, in an oasis of greenery in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Offering a unique blend of contemporary design, art and authentic French charm, this haven of well-being nestling in 20,000 m2 of gardens features two outdoor pools, several privative pools for the suites, and two restaurants : La Guinguette, serving convivial cuisine for lunchtime sharing, and Le Restaurant, proposing tasty bistronomic cuisine with a Provençal accent, impeccably presented. A stopover is a real must. Saint-Paul-de-Vence. 826, chemin de la Pounchounière. (04 93 32 74 21)
L’Anantara Plaza Nice Hôtel has announced its collaboration with the Veuve Clicquot Maison de Champagne to present an exclusive gastronomic experience : its Riviera Sunday Brunch. At the restaurant Seen, on the top floor of this 5-star address, this appointment for gourmets promises discovery of Mediterranean and Asian flavours each Sunday, made even more sublime by the sparkle of champagne. (129 € avec Champagne à discrétion) Nice. 12, avenue de Verdun. (04 93 16 11 75)
