Words by Kathryn Tomasetti
Restaurant WE at Wanderlust
Wanderlust is perched on quai d'Austerlitz on the Seine riverbank near the La Cité de la Mode. More than 1,600m2 of sun-kissed terrace overlooks the Seine, the premises comprising a bar, restaurant and workshop space (fashion takes centre stage on Friday evenings). A different delectable chef heads up the kitchen each season: as of this week, autumn kicks off with Gascoigne native Arnaud Daguin. Expect favourite Basque ingredients to feature, such as roasted duck and more than a splash of cider. Don’t take the maître d’ too seriously: the restaurant’s service is as snooty as its too-cool-for-school reputation promises.
Wanderlust, 32 quai d’Austerlitz, 75013, Paris, France, 33 1 70 74 41 74, wanderlustparis.com
Miss Kō
Philippe Starck’s newest creation, this Blade Runner-style Asian-fusion eatery is pulling in patrons like fashionistas to a sample sale. Check out the 26-metre bar with embedded video screens and monumental fresco by artist David Rochline. Last week the Tattoorialist – Nicolas Brulez – mixed cutting-edge fashion with the most beautiful tattooed bodies and hosted a manga-tastic catwalk show here, showcasing rising designer creations. The light bites street food menu ranges from Korean bibimbap to fresh spring rolls.
Miss Kō, 49/51 avenue George V, 75008, Paris, France, 33 1 53 67 84 60, miss-ko.com
Monsieur Bleu
Recently expanded to nearly triple its original size, Palais de Tokyo is currently the largest contemporary exhibition space in Europe. Better still, the museum boasts a brand-new brasserie to boot. Designed by starry architect Joseph Dirand, Monsieur Bleu’s Art Deco ambiance is punctuated with Lalique glass panels and 1950s Eero Saarinen armchairs; its menu is scattered with simple, international influences, including sea bass carpaccio and lobster roll. The panoramic terrace – overlooking the Seine and the Eiffel Tower – is already a firm favourite with visiting celebs and Parisian socialites, from fashion icon Catherine Baba to stylist Marie-Amélie Sauvé.
Monsieur Bleu, Palais de Tokyo, 20 avenue de New York, 75116, Paris, France, 33 1 47 20 90 47, monsieurbleu.com
Le Mary Celeste
This is the Marais neighbourhood’s latest BFF. Busty bobos and flannel-wrapped hipsters pack the bar, knocking back cocktails with evocative names like Dottore Cipriano (vermouth, mezcal and bitters) and Rain Dog (small batch bourbon, mint and orangey sirop de capillaire). Chef Haan Palcu-Chang's eats are just as heavenly: think tuna ceviche with watermelon, tamarind-glazed endives and platters of wild oysters.
1 rue Commines, 75003, Paris, France, lemaryceleste.com
Apicius
A private dining room in one’s own Champs Elysées chateau? Don’t mind if I do, darling. At the lavish Apicius – where both Chloé and Calvin Klein have staged recent festivities – double Michelin-starred chef Jean Pierre Vigato dishes up modern French cuisine (Breton langoustine with smoked seafood tea, semi-salted cod with wild herbs) in a romantically refined space. Really got something to celebrate? Apicius’ cellars are an incredible 55,000 bottles strong.
Apicius, 20 rue d'Artois, 75008, 33 1 43 80 19 66, Paris, France, restaurant-apicius.com
