Top 5 Paris Archives - Everyday Parisian

5 Favorite Cookbooks

Rebecca Plotnick — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 01:41:25 +0000

5 Favorite Cookbooks

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Baking and cooking are my love language. It brings me a lot of joy to make a meal or bake something sweet for loved ones and friends. I do a lot of the cooking in our house, and my husband enjoys watching and chatting with me in the kitchen. We buy cookbooks, and he immediately looks for the Post-it notes to mark his favorites. Below are some of my favorite cookbooks and the ones I often reach for when we want to make something new or different.

My sister and I also text recipes for new ideas. This recently bought cookbook influenced many of our dinners, and I immediately sent a copy to my sister. I was inspired by this cookbook to round up a few of my favorites. It is no secret that I would love to do a cookbook club in 2025 for EDP.

Listen to Your Vegetables

From one of our favorite restaurants in Chicago. Monteverde launched a year-long menu activation called the Year of the Vegetable. My husband and I often sit at the bar for date night, and the creative and delicious menu items got me to eat vegetables I never thought I would. I wasn’t the biggest fan of cooked vegetables for most of my life, but my mind changed thanks to Monteverde. I bought this as a gift for my husband for his birthday since it was also where we celebrated that night for dinner.

Also, you can’t go wrong with Italian-inspired recipes made seasonally.

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Cooking in Real Life

This was an Instagram impulse purchase, as I was influenced by someone who posted about it. The book ended up being better than I anticipated. We have owned it for a few weeks, and I keep discovering new recipes for dinner. I love that the ingredients are easily located in my fridge or pantry, so I am not scrambling for the grocery store. The flavors pop, and the recipes come together easily in a decent amount of time. Cooking in Real Life inspired this blog post because I wanted to convince you you needed a copy, too.

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There are two female cookbook authors I admire so much. The first is Dorie Greenspan. My aunt introduced me to her cookbooks years ago. Now, Dorie’s vanilla sablés have turned into “auntie cookies.” A simple modification of adding colored sprinkles instead of sanding sugar made them an instant hit when the kids were little, and they have become a family tradition. We also make her World Peace cookies every year. Both cookies are sliced and baked so that you can make and freeze them. I will make them at my sister’s and put in a cookie dough log for her to make for the kids after I return to Chicago.

You can see some of my favorite desserts to bake in this post, along with recipes.

It is a dream to bake with Dorie in person one of these days. Our worlds cross in Paris occasionally, but I haven’t had the opportunity yet. Take this as my attempt at manifestation to make this dream come true.

My Favorite Cookbooks

Baking with Dorie

Baking with Dorie is perfect for having it at your fingertips when you want something sweet. One of my favorite recipes is the one-bite cinnamon puffs. These are delicious and an instant crowd-pleaser. You are bound to find something from this cookbook, from cakes to cookies. Plus, I love her helpful tips for becoming a better baker. Dorie Greenspan has a lovely newsletter, too, and a new book is on the way next year I can’t wait to add to my collection.

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Take It Easy What’s Gaby Cooking

I had the opportunity to meet Gaby Dalkin in Chicago, and she was an absolute delight. Her cooking videos are fun, and her simple recipes and flavors are delicious. Her chicken parmesan meatballs are on repeat at our house and are so good! In this book, Gaby’s sauces and dressings are a great addition to any meal.

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Favorite Cookbooks for The Francophile

À Table Recipes for Cooking + Eating the French Way

As I was flipping through this cookbook recently, I was reminded that our neighbors gave it to me as a gift. They found it in a shop and thought it was perfect for me. We are fortunate to have wonderful neighbors, and I often send food next door to share with them. They are also excellent recipe taste testers when I have something new to try. I love this book for its beautiful photographs, lessons on the French lifestyle, and flavorful recipes. It is a perfect Francophile gift. Don’t miss how to stock a modern French pantry.

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The second female cookbook author that inspires me is, of course, Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten. She is an absolute joy to watch on TV, and I love that she taught herself to cook. My husband and I are watching “Be My Guest” and find it entertaining. It motivates me to try new recipes in the kitchen. I dream of meeting her in person one day as well, and of course, being able to cook with her would be incredible. Her memoir will be released in October, and I have tickets for her talk in November.

When we registered for our wedding gifts, I added a lot of different cookbooks to the registry. I think cookbooks make great gifts for couples of all ages. My wish list is to perfect my pasta-making skills, and I have a few pasta cookbooks to inspire me. We also were gifted a cooking class for our first anniversary. It is wonderful how a good meal can bring conversation and spark memories. I hope this roundup was enjoyable. For those of you who don’t love to cook but know someone who does, gift them a cookbook.

*This post includes affiliate links. I earn a small commission on items purchased from my links. Merci!

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5 Paris Covered Passages

Rebecca Plotnick — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 03:27:59 +0000

One of my favorite walks to do in Paris is to stroll through the Paris covered passages. These are a bit off the beaten path regarding a Paris itinerary. Once you have knocked the Eiffel Tower and Louvre museum off of your to-do list, you might want to explore the different neighborhoods of Paris. I first discovered the Paris passages when I lived in the 18th arrondissement back in 2013 and I would walk through various different ones avoiding the rain or bad weather. The walk took me from the 9th to the first arrondissement through Galerie Vivienne, where I first discovered Palais Royal. You can create a tour of the covered passages on a rainy day through Paris.

The covered passages of Paris are architecture-hidden gems filled with art galleries, luxury boutiques, restaurants, and antique stores to discover. Each passage has unique details such as a glass ceiling, checkered floors, wooden beams, hidden staircases, and apartments up above. You will want to discover each of the ones on this list to see the differences between each one.

1
Start on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre

If you would like to explore a little of my Paris history and favorite walk, you can start in the 9th arrondissement on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre just outside À la Mère de Famille which is a famous chocolate shop. The nearest metro is Le Peletier (line 7). There are now several locations of the chocolate shop in Paris. This one is the original and so unique in its design and details. The inside feels like stepping into a movie set in the past. If you are a kid at heart or have young kids that need a little distraction, you can pop in here first before exploring the passages walk. This is also a great place to pick up gifts for friends or family at home. À la Mère de Famille also has a beautiful book you can order for your coffee table.
2
Start on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre

If you would like to explore a little of my Paris history and favorite walk, you can start in the 9th arrondissement on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre just outside À la Mère de Famille which is a famous chocolate shop. The nearest metro is Le Peletier (line 7). There are now several locations of the chocolate shop in Paris. This one is the original and so unique in its design and details. The inside feels like stepping into a movie set in the past. If you are a kid at heart or have young kids that need a little distraction, you can pop in here first before exploring the passages walk. This is also a great place to pick up gifts for friends or family at home. À la Mère de Famille also has a beautiful book you can order for your coffee table.
3
Start on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre

If you would like to explore a little of my Paris history and favorite walk, you can start in the 9th arrondissement on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre just outside À la Mère de Famille which is a famous chocolate shop. The nearest metro is Le Peletier (line 7). There are now several locations of the chocolate shop in Paris. This one is the original and so unique in its design and details. The inside feels like stepping into a movie set in the past. If you are a kid at heart or have young kids that need a little distraction, you can pop in here first before exploring the passages walk. This is also a great place to pick up gifts for friends or family at home. À la Mère de Famille also has a beautiful book you can order for your coffee table.
4
Start on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre

If you would like to explore a little of my Paris history and favorite walk, you can start in the 9th arrondissement on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre just outside À la Mère de Famille which is a famous chocolate shop. The nearest metro is Le Peletier (line 7). There are now several locations of the chocolate shop in Paris. This one is the original and so unique in its design and details. The inside feels like stepping into a movie set in the past. If you are a kid at heart or have young kids that need a little distraction, you can pop in here first before exploring the passages walk. This is also a great place to pick up gifts for friends or family at home. À la Mère de Famille also has a beautiful book you can order for your coffee table.
5
Start on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre

If you would like to explore a little of my Paris history and favorite walk, you can start in the 9th arrondissement on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre just outside À la Mère de Famille which is a famous chocolate shop. The nearest metro is Le Peletier (line 7). There are now several locations of the chocolate shop in Paris. This one is the original and so unique in its design and details. The inside feels like stepping into a movie set in the past. If you are a kid at heart or have young kids that need a little distraction, you can pop in here first before exploring the passages walk. This is also a great place to pick up gifts for friends or family at home. À la Mère de Famille also has a beautiful book you can order for your coffee table.

The post 5 Paris Covered Passages appeared first on Everyday Parisian.

5 Best Flower Shops in Paris

Rebecca Plotnick — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:14:29 +0000

The 5 Best Flower Shops in Paris

One of my favorite things about Paris is the flower shops on every corner. Even on January’s grey, cold days, pops of color will explode at the florists. Fresh flowers are an instant mood boots. When I am in an apartment rental in Paris, I try to find a local flower shop to pick up fresh flowers. Through my many years exploring Paris and photographing the city, these are the best flower shops I have found.

Oz Garden

Oz Garden is located at 8 Rue de Furstenberg on the Left Bank in the heart of Paris in Saint Germain des Prés. The square where the flower shop is located can be tricky, but once you discover it, you will be drawn to this adorable part of Paris. Oz Garden has a beautiful display of seasonal flowers on the exterior, making it hard to miss. As a gift, I have purchased a bouquet of flowers here for myself and my friend Katie Donnelly’s photography studio. Their studio is located not too far from this location. It also makes an excellent spot for a photo opportunity.

The shop speaks English and can walk you through different varieties of flowers to make you the best floral arrangement.

Anaïs Flower Shop in Paris

Anaïs is located on one of my favorite streets Rue Montorgueil. I have known this flower shop since I arrived in Paris in 2013, and I have many photographs of it. They have an incredible display on the exterior by color and flower. You can’t help but be drawn to the beautiful display. Each season, the flower shop displays a variety of flowers in different colors in metal buckets. I love to pick up fresh flowers here when I am close by or miss a market day. They are open every day but Monday from 9 am – 8 pm.

Cler Fleurs

For the Rue Cler lovers, don’t miss this beautiful florist shop near the Eiffel Tower. Rue Cler was put on the map by Rick Steves. It is a food street with cafés, cheesemongers, fruit vendors, and wine shops. It is a must-visit when you are in the area. I love their display of peonies in the early summer. A table is filled high with shades of pink, and the flowers move quickly as peony season is short but sweet.

Arom Paris

I have actually never been to this florist, but my hotel, Chateau Voltaire, greeted me with a bouquet of beautiful flowers in my room. The Paris florist blew me away with the scent and arrangement, and I immediately took a photo of the card so I didn’t forget. If you need flowers for a special occasion, make a note of this one. They are located at 73 Av. Ledru Rollin in the 12th arrondissement.

Pro Tip: Your best bet is to find a flower shop within walking distance of where you are staying. Don’t go out of your way for a beautiful bouquet. There are options all around the city of Paris.

Paris Markets

Don’t miss a visit to the Paris markets around the city. The market stalls will offer seasonal fresh flowers at a reasonable price. Fresh tulips, peonies, and dahlias are my favorite to buy. When purchasing, tell the shopkeeper or vendor they are a gift, and they will wrap them nicely. Even if they are just a gift for you, this is an added perk, and they don’t charge extra.

You can see some of my favorite markets in Paris in this post.

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Photos of me by Katie Donnelly Photography and Magda for Katie Donnelly

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5 Best Places to Shop in Paris for Men

Rebecca Plotnick — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 21:16:20 +0000

In Paris fashion, women’s clothing is always top of mind. As most of my readers are female, I get asked for help with ideas on where to shop for him. If you plan a trip to Paris and want to turn your husband, boyfriend, or partner, Parisian, this post will help. These are my top 5 places to shop in Paris for men. If you have found a spot you love that didn’t make the list, please comment below and share it with the community.

Where to Shop for Men’s Clothing in Paris

Some of the best shopping areas in Paris include Boulevard Haussmann where you can find some of the best shops and larger department stores and fashion boutiques. Rue de Rivoli and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré offer shopping for him and her. Luxury brands can be found on Avenue Montaigne and Rue Cambone. In Le Marais, you will find French brands on Rue des Francs Bourgeois and Rue Vielle du Temple (one of my favorite streets in Paris). There are great bars and restaurants for French food here as well to break up the shopping.

Where to Shop in Paris for Men

Explore the flea markets in different arrondissement around the city and at the Aligre market if you are looking for something unique. You will be able to find antique furniture at the pop up brocantes around Paris. For antique shops, head up to Montmartre, L’Objet qui Parle is a favorite.

Balibaris

Balibaris is another favorite men’s shop of my husband. We discovered it a few years ago and keep returning each visit to pick up new pieces. The staff is always super helpful and the clothes fit well and are good quality. There are several locations around Paris and even one in London. At Balibaris, you will find a wide variety of t-shirts, polos, shirts, jeans, and jackets. You can shop at their e-shop online even in the US.

Saint James Paris

Saint James Paris sells the classic style Breton striped shirts that are iconic for Parisians and the French. This is one of the original boutiques and brands that sells the shirts. Aside from the shirts, you will find sweaters, swimsuits, socks and more. All with the same iconic French look. Some of the striped shirts are unisex.

Vejas

You may have heard me mention Veja shoes before. It’s a brand I discovered in Paris after noticing everyone wearing them on the city streets. It’s a French brand for men and women. The shoes are made from organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles. Currently, some of the styles are hard to come by in the US but there are a few shops in Paris along with the department stores where you can purchase your own Veja shoes. I wear no show socks with them as suggested by the sales staff when I bought them. Vejas are great for walking around the city of light. You can easily dress them up with a good pair of jeans or pants.

Octobre

For Parisian style, look no further than Octobre, the men’s Sézane brand. I rave about Sézane for its high quality and designs and own quite a bit from the brand. Sézane launched Octobre a few years ago, and you can shop at a few locations in Paris. The department stores such as Galeries Lafayette have a section offering Octobre. You can also find the brand in its store on Rue Saint-Fiacre at its flagship location across from L’Appartement of Sézane. You can now also shop at the Marais location on Rue des Blancs Manteaux, which also carries both Sézane and Octobre.

My husband loved this brand and requested pieces for his birthday from Octobre. They have some great staple pieces and fashion items released each season. I have ordered a few pieces for our upcoming trip to Italy this summer.

You can also shop their online shop if you want to order some items before your trip to Paris or once you return home.

Le Bon Marché

Le Bon Marché is located on the left bank of Paris and is the only major department store in the area. You will have to cross the Seine River to the right bank for more similar department store options. My husband, in particular loved the sneaker shop at Le Bon Marché and purchased two pairs.

Le Bon Marché offers the same designer boutiques and brands you would find on the streets of Paris inside the department store so you can shop several brands in one place. It’s a great way to discover your own style and brands you love.

After you shop at Le Bon Marché explore the nearby Boulevard Saint Germain for more shopping and a stop at a Parisian café for a coffee or cocktail.

APC

I recently shopped at APC on my last trip to Paris after seeing their shops on the streets of Paris for years. The staff was friendly and helped me practice my French while my husband shopped. APC had a wide variety of fashion forward items and the shopkeeper walked me through some of the trends happening for men right now in Paris.

Trending styles include, comfort pieces since the pandemic the fit and style has gone more relaxed. Wide cut jeans, straight jeans are out and it is a more baggy style. Logos are out! For shoes, clogs, Birkenstocks, and sneakers are in.

Le Slip Français

Turn him Parisian all the way down to his underwear. You may find this to be an out of the box suggestion but this brand has really made a presence in Paris with boutiques around the city. Le Slip Français offers men’s underwear of all styles along with swim trunks, socks, and more. It is worth while to take a look if you pass one on your walk around Paris.

You will want to bookmark these suggestions on your google map for when you are exploring Paris. In the warmer months, the shops can be a great way to escape the heat and enjoy some air conditioning.

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Top 5 Things to do in Paris in the Winter

Rebecca Plotnick — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 00:22:17 +0000

Top 5 Things to do in Paris in the Winter

Paris in the winter can be cold, damp, and rainy with the chance of an occasional snow shower. It isn’t the most popular time to visit for tourists but it shouldn’t be overlooked. You will find fewer crowds, cheaper airfare, and better hotel rates. You can even score a much better hotel room during this time because of the low season. Don’t let the weather or time of year steer you away. Here are the top 5 things to do in Paris in the winter.

Visit The Christmas Markets

The Christmas markets start in Paris towards the end of December and wrap up the first week of January. Even if you go closer to New Year’s eve, you will still be able to experience some of the Christmas magic. There are markets in the city’s center at Hôtel de Ville, The Tuileries, and Saint Germain des Près.

I personally love seeing the different parts of Paris dressed up for Christmas. If the markets aren’t your thing, pop into Galleries Lafayette to see the tree or experience the Christmas windows at the major department stores. Bon Marché on the Left Bank and La Samaritaine also have holiday display windows and indoor decorations.

The streets will be covered in festive Christmas lights and decorations up until mid-January. Walk the streets and feel the Christmas magic.

Shop the Sales

One of the big perks of visiting Paris in the winter is the sales after the holidays. You will find signs in the shop windows big and small announcing sales. The best merchandise starts at the beginning of the sales and gets picked over. Discounts start small and get bigger as the merchandise goes. This is a great time to shop for your favorite brands and find bargains at the higher-end shops.

Stroll the Parks

Typically Parisian parks can be filled with tourists and locals which can be a bit overwhelming on the weekends. The parks are filled with locals and fewer tourists in the winter months. Make sure to bundle up with a pair of gloves, a hat, and a scarf. You will need it! Temperatures can get quite cold in the winter months and the damp air makes it feel colder.

Museum Exhibitions

This is a great time to buy tickets to your favorite museum or explore a new exhibition without the crowds. I would love to see the Dior exhibition which I missed during my last visit. You can grab tickets here. If you are looking for a great place to eat before or after Dior, I recommend Chez Savy which is an iconic French bistro. I just popped in there recently and the service is so friendly and they have a classic menu. You can also book a reservation online.

Enjoy Classic French Dishes

The colder weather is a perfect time for French onion soup, hot chocolate, aligot one of my personal favorites (which is a cheesy mashed potatoes dish), and boeuf bourguignon. Duck into a café to warm up and order one of these delicious French menu items.

The weather will surprise you in the winter. There will be days that are cold, dark, and rainy and ones filled with sunshine. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen even in winter.

I hope you enjoyed this top 5 post! If you have any requests for other top 5 Paris-related post ideas, drop a comment below.

*This post includes affiliate links. I make a small commission off of items purchased from my links. Merci!

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Top 5 Paris Archives - Everyday Parisian

5 Favorite Cookbooks

5 Favorite Cookbooks

Listen to Your Vegetables

Cooking in Real Life

My Favorite Cookbooks

Baking with Dorie

Take It Easy What’s Gaby Cooking

Favorite Cookbooks for The Francophile

À Table Recipes for Cooking + Eating the French Way

5 Paris Covered Passages

Start on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre

Start on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre

Start on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre

Start on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre

Start on Rue de Faubourg Montmartre

5 Best Flower Shops in Paris

The 5 Best Flower Shops in Paris

Oz Garden

Anaïs Flower Shop in Paris

Cler Fleurs

Arom Paris

Paris Markets

5 Best Places to Shop in Paris for Men

Where to Shop for Men’s Clothing in Paris

Where to Shop in Paris for Men

Balibaris

Saint James Paris

Vejas

Octobre

Le Bon Marché

APC

Le Slip Français

Top 5 Things to do in Paris in the Winter

Top 5 Things to do in Paris in the Winter

Visit The Christmas Markets

Shop the Sales

Stroll the Parks

Museum Exhibitions

Enjoy Classic French Dishes