Paris

A short-list of my favourite eats in Paris:

L’ébauchoir at 43-45, rue de Cîteaux, 75012. Phone: +33 1 43 42 49 31. I discovered this restaurant in our ‘hood’ when going out with two lovely friends. It’s the perfect place to dine with your loved one or friends, cozy with wooden furniture and cute tiles, and a very informal atmosphere. Service isn’t perfect (but it rarely ever is in Paris) but the food is great, French bistro style with a little more charm and a lot more peps. Think wild hake with a saffron jus, roasted lamb saddle and an excitingly spiced sauce, or a chestnut soup with a cream of mushrooms. There’s always a veggie dish on the menu as well. The home-made rice pudding is an excellent dessert, presented to you in a large bowl and you can take as much as you please. Weekday lunch menus are 13-15€ or 24€ with a wider selection of dishes. Count on spending around 45€ per person for dinner (3 courses plus a glass of wine). Closest metro: Faidherbe-Chaligny and Ledru Rollin. Open from noon-14h30 (except Mondays) and 20-23h (opening at 19h30 Fri- and Saturdays). Closed Sundays.

Nanashi at 57, rue Charlot, 75003. Nanashi has two other locations at 6, rue de Tournon, 75006 and 31, rue de Paradis, 75010. Hipster heaven! I love lunching here b/c the menu is all organic and very healthy. Be prepared to queue for lunch (especially in weekends) together with hip and young Paris. Nanashi serves ultra fresh salads with ingredients varying according to the season, a selection of soups and some nice bento options (which I can highly recommend!). Additional dishes vary each week. They do freshly pressed juices as well, as well as the usual coffees and teas. Their cakes are pretty damn good too! Perfect for a clean and energetic mid-day break or a lazy Sunday afternoon. You’ll spend around 15-20€ for lunch including a drink/beverage. Closest metro: Filles du Calvaire (or Odéon for the one in the 6th; Poissonnière for the one in the 10th). Open 7 days/week from noon to midnight with service running from noon to 15h (16h on Sundays) and from 19h30-23h.

Shan Goût at 97, rue de Charenton
, 75012. Phone: +33 1 43 07 62 78. No fancy decoration, but that’s not what this place is all about. Come here for really good Chinese cuisine, a laid-back dinner, affordable dishes, and an innovative menu. Don’t come here for a quick Asian take-out, there are tons of those elsewhere in Paris. With a real Chinese chef in the open kitchen, expect a pleasant dinner experience which makes you want to come back for more. Price range: 25€ pp for 2 to 3 courses with a glass of wine. Lunch menu available for around 18€. Closest metro:  Ledru Rollin and Gare de Lyon. Open: 12-16h & 19-23h. Closed Mondays.