Thursday, July 13, 2006

Findi (Paris, FRANCE) ★★★★☆

For our final night in Paris, we decided to go out in style. After a bit of last-minute shopping near Avenue des Champs-Élysées, we stumbled upon Findi — a romantic, dimly lit spot tucked away on the basement level, just across the street from the Four Seasons Hotel George V.


We started with the salmon carpaccio, scattered with capers and crunchy croutons. The acidity of the dressing played beautifully against the natural sweetness of the fish — bright, clean, and well-balanced. A subtle but elegant start.


Next came the ravioli with duck ragout, a dish I initially had high hopes for but unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite hit the mark.


Thankfully, the grilled tuna with seasonal vegetables got ourselves back on track. Perfectly seared, and tender in the center, matching well with the herby pesto sauce.


But the real star of the night? Tiramisu two ways. One classic, rich with espresso and mascarpone; the other a playful strawberry variation that brought a fruity, almost summery twist to the traditional dessert. A clever contrast that ended things on a high note.


As Four Seasons Hotel was just across the street from the restaurant, we decided to go and check out the facility there following the meal.


Then, just before calling it a night, we took one last look at the Arc de Triomphe, glowing like a postcard under the Parisian sky. A proper farewell.






Price: €€€
Address: 24 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France
Closest Metro Station: Alma-Marceau
Tel: +33 (0)1 4720-1478
Opening Hours: 12:00pm - 3:00pm, 7:00pm - 12:00am daily



Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Au Port du Salut (Paris, FRANCE) ★★★★☆

We had quite a bit of work to be done at Jardin du Luxembourg this morning but thankfully, we were able to accomplish what we set out for just before lunch.



Au Port du Salut is a cozy little French bistro a stone's throw from 
Jardin du Luxembourg. As soon as we sat down, we wasted no time getting a few dishes to share. Yeah, we were super hungry as we didn't have a lot to eat all day. 

The beef carpaccio was really thin like paper!



I am a sucker for duck breast so I went with the same dish I did last night. Jelloman had the salmon cooked with lemon butter which was a far better choice, if you ask me.


Of course, the reason why we came to Jardin du Luxembourg was solely for our wedding photo shoot. We're taking upon ourselves to be our own camera crew for this very special project. Now, mission accomplished but we still have a few more locations planned in the next few months.






Price: €€€
Address: 163 Rue Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris, France
Closest Metro Station: Luxembourg
Tel: +33 (0)1 5844-3058
Opening Hours: 10:00am - 3:00pm, 6:00pm - 11:30pm daily



Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Café Georges V (Paris, FRANCE) ★★★☆☆

After a smooth two-and-a-half-hour ride on the Eurostar, we stepped off the train and into the heart of Paris — the City of Love. It was our first time in the French capital, so naturally, we did what all first-timers do: made a beeline for Avenue des Champs-Élysées.


Tired from all the traveling around and literally running on fumes, we arrived at Café Georges V, one of the iconic brasseries that sits right on the boulevard, perfectly positioned for people-watching and soaking in the city’s high-octane energy.


The pan-seared duck breast served with golden potato slices and cabbage was rustic, hearty, and exactly what I needed after a long day of travel. No frills and just good, honest French cooking.


Jelloman chose the seafood gratin, which arrived bubbling hot from the oven, paired with poached potatoes and tender green beans.



There’s something magical about being in Paris for the first time. Sure, we’ve all seen the photos, read the guidebooks, heard the clichés. But it’s another thing entirely to sit here, on this legendary street, watching the world swirl past. Luckily, we still got three more days to wander, eat, and fall deeper in love with this city. 💗💗




Price: €€€
Address: 120 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France
Closest Metro Station: George V
Tel: +33 (0)1 4562-3351
Opening Hours: 7:00am - 2:00am daily