The Best Things to Do in Paris for Free: Because Your Wallet Deserves a Break Paris! The city of light, love, and croissants so flaky they practically whisper sweet nothings in your ear. But let’s face it, even the most romantic of cities can sometimes be a bit of a budget buster. Don’t get me wrong – many guided tours are fantastic and well worth the investment. I spent ten years working for a tour company, and a good guide can bring everything to life. But you may prefer to save some of your euros for elaborate dinners, fancy pastries, buying 163 types of French cheese at once, etc. We know ..read more

Le Grand Bain When people ask me about restaurant recommendations and my favorite restaurants, Le Grand Bain has been one of the top 3 for the entire year. Most visitors won’t find it in a guide book, and I think it still classifies as a somewhat hidden gem.  The chef, Edward Delling-Williams, used to be the head chef at Au Passage (another favorite), so it’s not all that surprising that it would become a new favorite, considering the cooking style. Belleville is a bit of a trek for most visitors, but it definitely classifies as off the beaten path, non-touristy, and worth the hike. It’s ..read more

Looking for brunch in Paris? Let’s help narrow that brunch search down. An important part of everyone’s Paris food planning should include a good brunch spot (if you are of the brunching persuasion). Sunday is the most popular day for brunch, so lines can be astronomically long. Since it’s the day for all brunching Parisians, you should take advantage of a leisurely Tuesday or Thursday brunch if you are in Paris during the week. That way, you can avoid some long, long waits.  Without further ado (did anyone know that this is how you spell that phrase), I present to you, my top picks ..read more

Where can I find the best steak tartare in Paris? Someone recently asked, “Where can I get the best steak tartare in Paris?” I responded with 4 spots. Boom, done. But then I thought: ‘What if others, too, want to know where they can eat tender minced raw beef combined with the perfect balance of salty & tangy ingredients?’ So let’s dive in. First of all, it must be said, in all caps: STEAK TARTARE IS RAW GROUND STEAK. Some people don’t know this. I recently saw a review where the person gave 1 star and complained that the steak tartare almost seemed raw, like raw tuna. …Mhm. I, too, was on ..read more

Photo: http://www.frenchie-ftg.com Restaurant Frenchie has been a cult favorite foodie restaurant for the past ten years, and it recently earned a well-deserved Michelin star. It has been notoriously difficult to score a reservation at this small (and pretty fabulous) restaurant for years now. Chef and owner Gregory Marchand basically took over the street Rue du Nil, and now has, in addition to its flagship restaurant: Frenchie Bar à Vins (aka Frenchie Wine Bar) – No reservations accepted, but still the same excellent level of food in small plate form Frenchie To Go (more casual, and I’ll exp ..read more

HB19 for the lunch side of brunch The team behind the ever-beloved Holybelly 5 opened a sister restaurant, Holybelly 19. It’s definitely different than the ultra breakfast-focused Holybelly 5, but they still focus on high quality dishes and friendly service. You’re also almost guaranteed to wait at Holybelly 5, whereas you can put your name in at Holybelly 19 if there’s a wait, which is nice. This used to be the original location of Holybelly, Queen of the Paris Brunch Spots. They needed more space to accommodate the growing crowds for HB5, though, so they relocated down the street to 5 Rue ..read more

Paris Chocolate Shops for Easter Treats Joyeuses Pâques! When it comes to Easter chocolates in Paris, you can find flying bells, real eggs filled with solid chocolate, and giant eggs that think they are bunnies. Gourmet Easter chocolate reigns supreme in Paris. Here’s where to find it. A Parisian Easter Egg Hunt I have my own little Easter tradition that I like to indulge in each year. Not surprisingly, it involves Paris chocolate shops. Every Easter Sunday, I have my own personal Easter egg hunt where I go on the search for delicious and unique Easter chocolate in the artisanal chocolate mecc ..read more

HolyBelly 5 HolyBelly has had lines out the door for years, and it’s really a testament to the fact that they make some unbelievably satisfying brunch food. On top of this worth-crossing-town-for brunch fare, they have friendly and efficient service, mighty fine coffee (not always a given), and it’s all done in a pretty space.  It’s all the brunch basics we crave. The thing is that they go the extra mile – it’s not just an egg or a pancake. They’ve made their dishes standout with creative twists and quality ingredients. Exhibit A, my favorite breakfast dish of all time: The Savory Stack ..read more

Well, hello! The European Food Blogs Award announced Paris Food Affair as a nominee. Please help me to win – it only takes two quick clicks by voting here. Merci mille fois for your help!! The post European Food Blogs Award – Please Vote! appeared first on Paris Food Affair ..read more

Need some options for cheap eats while visiting Paris? I’ve got you covered. You don’t have to eat a ham sandwich every day to stay within a certain budget. Here are 7 great options for eating in Paris for under 20€, without losing any of the flavor or thrill. 1. L’Avant Comptoir This is a seriously fun place to get bang for your buck. You can get a hearty charcuterie board overflowing with some of the best charcuterie in France (Eric Ospital). Make a meal out of that alongside a few slices of their unique and addictive bread (flavored with saffron and a dash of piment d’espellette). Said brea ..read more