by jessica yoon
So, why did I come to the states so suddenly? My sister is getting married! The wedding is next fall, but there’s so much planning to do my family thought it would be nice to have me around to help out. I don’t know how much help I was in the end, but I’m convincing myself that just my presence was of great moral support.
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One of my favorite restaurants to take visitors in Paris is Breizh Cafe. It captures all the best and quintessential French qualities in one place. Breizh is located in the Marais, which is one of the most dynamic and vibrant districts in Paris. They make crepes (very French) with the best ingredients (Bordier butter, debated to be one of the best beurres of France). They’re open on the weekend (but closed Monday and Tuesday) and the service is quite friendly (both rare finds in Paris!).
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Tartes Kluger has been on my restaurant list for quite some time. I first read about it in Le Fooding, a French publication about restaurants and food. The food’s concept: simple and organic, and the restaurant’s atmosphere: casual with communal tables and take away, struck me more as New York Sunday brunch than Paris, that I was intrigued. This place indeed oozes more American with its minimal wooden decor and cluster of food magazines, but the Parisian staff and ingredients along with a view of the tiny rue du Forez keeps this place grounded in France.
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A few weeks ago I had lunch at the historic Hôtel du Nord, made famous by Marcel Carné’s 1938 movie of the same name. While the movie’s plot line centers around the grim emotions of prewar France, the restaurant is everything but cheerless. Filled with mismatched wooden tables and a chic crowd, this is the exact place to go for a very Parisian experience.
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As soon as Intermediate was over, my mom came to visit me for a few days. It was the perfect occasion to have my first taste of Joël Robuchon. Who better to share the moment with than another foodie and love of mine? The food was excellent, the atmosphere was sleek but casual, and by the end of the night we were both stuffed and smitten. The genius of Chef Robuchon lies in his ability to express the decadent flavors of French food by means of simplicity. He highlights only the best aspects of haute cuisine and comfort food. The modern, sushi bar inspired interior allows for a new and different experience, but the quintessential French flavors evoke a sense of tradition and comfort.
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