La Fresque (pictured) and Le Hangar are safe bets in areas that are not overflowing with great restaurants. One of the most striking things about this week’s two restaurants (Christmas bonus?) is the almost complete absence of road traffic: La … Read More
An anonymous caricature mocking the royal family’s failed attempt to flee Paris. © Musée Carnavalet / Roger-Viollet History buffs, especially those fascinated by the French Revolution, will appreciate the exhibition “The French Revolution: Hidden Treasures of the Musée Carnavalet,” which … Read More
One of Le Gaigne’s more colorful dishes. Pros: Good ingredients, central location. Cons: A certain drabness about the whole experience; overpriced. I was quite excited about going to Le Gaigne: it’s been written up often, and many nice things are … Read More
Nin and Miller hop from bed to typewriter to express their passion. The lonely sound of a typewriter tapping and a Billie Holiday soundtrack provide the aural clues to the themes underpinning Une Passion, Delphine de Malherbe’s adept … Favorite
The food at 122 is impeccably prepared. Above: snails in “angel hair” batter. Pros: Great food, well-chosen wines; pleasant, attentive service Cons: Decor a bit Spartan for my taste. Walking into 122, a memory resurfaced of a journalist’s comment about … Read More
Lynx-shaped fragrance burner, Iran, 12th-13th century. © Nour Foundation “Islamic Art” is a broad category that takes in many different cultures, time periods, and types of art and objects. The current exhibition at the Institut du Monde Arabe, “Arts of … Read More
Au Petit Riche has been around since 1854. Pros: Fabulous list of Loire wines; quirky layout; pleasant atmosphere Cons: Cooking seems stuck in a rut The last time I set foot in the Petit Riche was about two decades ago, … Read More
“Bust of Triton” (2nd century). © Istanbul Archeology Museums / Bahadir Taskin Istanbul is one of the world’s most fascinating cities for a number of reasons. As the title of the current exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris – … Read More
Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s sketch of the “Vegetal Chair” (2005) Ever wondered how a designer goes about coming up with a new chair, teapot or airplane? I have, so I was curious to see “Dessiner le Design” (“Drawing Design,” through … Read More
“Perspective of Trees,Tsarskoe Selo, Russia” (1999).© Michael Kenna I have always wanted to become a good photographer so that I could capture certain magical, fleeting moments – when the light hits a building or … Favorite
