My Hotel & Restaurant Reviews: Paris

Hotel Lutétia:

Hotel Lutetia is a beautiful hotel located in the heart of St. Germain des Pres; hence, it was very convenient to walk to/from some of my favorite areas and attractions in Paris, most of which are in the Left Bank. The rooms are a little smaller in comparison to some of the bigger chain hotels at the same price point, but the charm and the friendliness of the staff more than made up for it.

Hotel Cluny Sorbonne:

Hotel Cluny is a reasonable little, emphasizing the word ‘little’, 2 star hotel in the heart of the Latin Quarter. One can’t ask for a better location, as it is directly before the Sorbonne University, and it is walkable to all major tourist attractions.

The rooms are small (the bathroom resembles a telephone cabinet), and the sanitation of the sheets and towels were questionable; however, as we were there for a weekend, we didn’t mind the shabby condition of our room.

Worth noting, the receptionists are quite friendly and welcoming, which made the stay exceptionally pleasant.

Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris:

Without a doubt, some of world’s greatest museums in the world are in Paris, la Musée du Louvre, la Musée d'Orsay, le Centre Pompidou, but it was less known la Musée d'Art Moderne that captured my attention and impressed me the most with its vast collection of modern and contemporary art.

The museum is also outside of the main tourist attractions, hence, delightfully serene to walk through, and it has a wonderful little café that has the most magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine (a little hidden spot that few non-Parisians know about).

La Croissanterie:

La Croissanterie is a chain of restaurants that offers a variety of breads, pastries and quick bites, such as quiche and sandwiches, and like other so-called fast food restaurants in Paris (Paul & La Brioche Dorée) it provides a good selection of food to go (and the cheapest). Also, it’s an ideal spot for mid-day snacks and coffee.

Le Perraudin:

The 1st time I'd gone to le Perraudin was over a decade ago, and it was a relatively unknown hole-in-the -wall that catered mainly to the students who lived around that area. It was one of the first sit-down restaurants I'd gone to in Paris, and as a student living on limited budget truly embracing la vie de bohème, I remember the excitement of discovering what seemed like the perfect embodiment of French cuisine and Parisian culture.

Then, I began seeing the name in various guidebooks and quite a few travel magazine articles; nevertheless, having a fond memory of it, I decided to revisit le Perraudin during my last visit to Paris. Sad to say, this time, my experience wasn't so memorable.

It wasn't just the mediocrity of the food that disappointed me, but the lack of effort that went into preparing it. It felt as if at some point, the owner had decided not to put a lot of effort in preparing their meals, relying on the fact that the majority of their patrons were tourists. I sat there looking at the overcooked gigot d'agneau and a slob of mess they called gratin de pommes de terre and wondered what had happened to the wonderful little restaurant I'd adored.

The only redeeming quality was the service, which was courteous and quick (which is not necessarily a good thing); however, the warmth and the hospitality I'd experienced during my first visit were long gone ... quel dommage!

le China:

Le China is one of those restaurants that transcends you to a different time, perhaps 30’s or 40’s, in Paris. Located near the metro Bastille, it embodies the sophistication and laidback modernity of the neighborhood and its patrons. The food, unfortunately was rather mediocre, but the atmosphere of the restaurant was so enjoyable that it was a pleasure to just sit back and sip a few cocktails. Also, there’s a wonderfully quaint performance space upstairs … definitely worth checking out.

la Closerie des Lilas:

Every time my friends ask me for restaurant recommendations in Paris, I refer to la Closerie des Lilas as one of the musts. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful restaurants in Paris, situated at the edge of les Jardins du Luxembourg (another favorite area of mine), and unlike some of the more upscale restaurants in Paris where the magnitude of waiters’ attitude equals the high price of the meal, the staff at la Closerie are courteous, knowledgeable and accommodating.

The food is of quality, good solid French meal without much innovation. The selection of oysters are great and the seafood dishes are near perfection.

I definitely recommend la Closerie to those looking to celebrate a special occasion, given that every night in Paris can be just that.

Breakfast in America:

I must admit, after being in Paris for weeks I needed some comfort food, and not being a big fan of le Royal Cheese, I thought I would try the next best thing … Breakfast in America.

The ambiance of the restaurant was spot on … think The Coffee Shop meets Denny’s … with all the necessary paraphernalia to insight that truck stop in the middle of metropolis look and feel.

The only thing I had were the pancakes and eggs, nothing extraordinary but it hit the spot, and I was impressed by the extensive menu, most of which seemed to be reasonably priced but 2.20 Euros for a donut … is there import tax on that?!?

The service however was less than … well, American. Well, I guess I’ll just have to go back home to get the friendly smiles and unlimited refills.