Copy: The attribution of a sentence like “among the drinks to enjoy is Leffe, a Belgian beer developed by monks,” to my heretofore untarnished writing voice is a personal affront – as well as an insult to my beer-swilling readership. And what about the negation of my line concerning pornography and the Virgin Mary? You should be ashamed of yourself, corporate media!
Thanks to a certain Mrs. Badgley.
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Jardin des Plantes, next to the Seine in Paris, is France’s main botanical garden. It also has an aquarium and a small zoo with many creatures, including this red panda. Local knowledge aids visitors in Paris
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
PARIS — They say there’s nothing like having a local show you around, and that’s the truth.
During our trip, we had the chance to spend an afternoon with our friend Taylor Holland, who moved to Paris from Austin eight months ago.
From the delicious tapenade we tasted at Oliviers & Co. to the lovely $10 dress I scored at a thrift shop called Free’P’Star (rumored to be a favorite of actress Kirsten Dunst), Holland introduced us to a whole new side of the city. I asked Holland, who blogs about his adventures in Paris in Plus Tard (www.taylorholland.blogspot.com), to recommend 10 favorite local spots.
Here’s his list:
1. Jardin des Plantes (Metro Gare d’Austerlitz): Under-visited by tourists, this beautifully manicured botanical garden dates to 1626 and contains a zoo (home to our favorite living Frenchman, “Le Petit Panda”) as well as the stupendous Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle.
2. Guerrisol (19, 29 and 31 Avenue de Clichy, Metro Place-de-Clichy): Hands down the best thrift store in town.
3. Chez Gladines (30 Rue Cinq Diamants, Metro Place d’Italie): Nestled in the Butte aux Cailles district, this bustling French/Basque eatery offers hearty fare from the southwest of France at budget prices. Try one of the enormous salads or the gravy-soaked veal cutlet. You can’t possibly leave this place hungry.
4. Le Tren Bleu (Gare de Lyon, Metro Gare de Lyon): Located above the high-speed trains on the Grandes Lignes platform, this bar offers expensive drinks in an expensive atmosphere. The beautiful murals on the walls show the destinations one can reach from the station. Try the Sunday brunch for 35 euros.
5. Photographie (35-37 Rue Charlot, Metro Filles du Calvaire): Fabien Breuvart buys old photographic prints and postcards and resells them in his quaint shop abutting the Marché des Enfants Rouges food market. Flipping through the stacks of prints can take a whole day if you let it.
6. Higuma (32 Rue Ste-Anne, Metro Pyramides): This Japanese noodle-bowl diner features dollar-friendly menu items for those angling to get away from heavy French cuisine. Try the Champon Set (10.50 euros for the best tempura ever) with a glass of cold sake.
7. Leche Vin (13 Rue Daval, Metro Bastille): This Catholic-themed bar has some of the cheapest drinks in town. Among the drinks to enjoy is Leffe, a Belgian beer developed by monks.
8. Artazart (83 Quai Valmy, Metro Gare de l’Est): This design and photography bookstore is a treat if you’ve got a suitcase to carry home art books.
9. La Fleche d’Or (102 Bis Rue de Bagnolet, Metro Alexandre Dumas): For live music, this indie-rock venue is usually a solid bet. It has free admission 8-10 p.m., after which it turns into a trendy DJ club.
10. Le Bec Fin (15 Rue Faubourg St. Martin, Metro Strasbourg St-Denis): Possibly the best tajine in town. This North African couscous joint is not in any guidebook.
A travel writer is born. Good stuff. Makes me want to come visit to see the REAL top 10
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful - we will be there in just three days!
ReplyDelete