Author: Rose-Manon Baux
Choosing only four places in a city that is literally obsessed with food, cafés, bistros, and bars? Good luck with that! Eating and drinking are the cornerstones of Parisian life, and hospitality shapes the urban landscape. Part of Paris’s mythic romanticism lies in this savoir vivre that will always lead you to a terrace, facing the street, where one can indulge in their dreaminess as time flies by. Times in bars and cafés, filled with daydreaming when on your own or seemingly endless chitchat and political discourse when with friends.
It’s these habits that give one a sense of ownership over the city. While lots of city capitals may feel impersonal, too vast, or simply anonymous, the restaurants and bars of Paris make you feel at home, providing a sense of community, connecting residents to their respective neighborhoods. As if all these places were small villages, bonded by the Parisian sense of leisure, balancing the hustle and bustle of the city and rounding out its architectural aesthetics.
The four places presented here reflect this very homely mood. They portray me, a Parisian in my late 20s working in the 10th, as much as I portray them.Every person in Paris has their personal go-to spots. All of which highlight the diversity, tradition, and innovation of Parisian hospitality.
Furia – Eat spicy, drink natural
2 Rue Lacharrière, 75011 Paris
The first time I went to Furia remains one of the funniest nights I had last summer. While having a drink in the mother place of Furia, Chambre noire – a well-known natural wine cave and bistro in the 11th – we got to meet Oliver, one of the owners, and decided spontaneously to all go to their newly opened taqueria: Furia. The tone for the night was given – my best friend and I instantly felt like we were part of the family, warmly welcomed and entertained by Julio, Oliver’s partner who came all the way from Mexico City with the chef to open the place. As a result of their authentic sense of hospitality, Furia is a buzzy place where wine-drinking is taken to its essence – sharing, laughing, chatting freely – and where the food suits the vibe: quick, sometimes spicy, easy to share, and smashable. And so that is how we have enjoyed a large array of wine, bridged together by some sassy Mezcal Chupito, and ending up dancing with the staff. I believe this is what they do best: Setting up all the conditions for you to feel among friends who happen to bring in some Mexican magic for the joy of all.
Bonus point: My mother loved it, too.
Chez Jeannette – Where you go when you don’t know where to go
47 rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris
We have all experienced that conversation where you look for a new place to go but nothing beats your favorite local bistro. “Should we just go to Jeannette?” The answer is always yes. Lunch or dinner, coffee or Gin and Tonic, on their terrace or inside their authentic interior, Jeannette will always get you in the right mood because it is the epitome of a good old bistro. Lunch combo and plat-du-jour at an extremely competitive price, calvados shots for festive hours, not even to start talking about P-H, Fred, or Mehdi, who will make you part of the family that rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis is. Trust me, going to Chez Jeannette is always a good idea.
Tempête – Dine fine, laugh loudly
5 Cr des Petites Écuries, 75010 Paris
Rarely can we find a place that combines the best of both worlds of hospitality: fine dining on the one hand, and the camaraderie of your local pub on the other. The boys at Tempête excel at walking this line. A chic interior arranged in a very open way to facilitate big groups and many seats at the marble counter ease the dialogue with the staff, enhancing a vibrant atmosphere. You will get expert wine recommendations with a joke, and the finest sharing plates with numerous spoons so everyone can dig in like at home. Nicolas’ cuisine reflects the modernity and the open-mindedness of the place, with various influences, combining iconic plates and ambitious seasonal dishes. Just give their fried chicken a go, served with tamarin and honey chipotle, and have a chat with them – and Tempête will soon become your go-to place with friends, on a date, or, like me last time: on my own with a book.
Le Syndicat – Beats on, drink French, stay late
51 rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris
Right after your dinner at Tempête, head over to Le Syndicat, and bring along your friends. You thought Armagnac was for the old folks? Or you barely know what it is? Le Syndicat will make you try “grandpa’s spirits” in cocktails – not only your mind will change, your head will be shaking with the beat pretty soon, too. Readable flavors, heavy hip-hop beats, warm service – the combo you need either to kick-off your weekend or to indulge in a well-deserved mid-week drink. Come for the cocktails, stay for the vibe.
