It’s no secret I have a crush on all things Parisian. From the fashion to the food to visiting the City of Light itself, Paris is a place that just oozes beauty. While frequent trips over the pond for a visit may not be on the agenda (hello, budget), there’s certainly no shortage of Parisian to be found right here in NYC. I’ve sought out some Parisian-inspired restaurants and bars over the years of living here, but was thrilled when Doni Belau’s book Paris Cocktails: An Elegant Collection Of Over 100 Recipes Inspired By The City Of Light was released, in which, along with sharing her favorite French cocktails, she also shares her favorite French stomping grounds right here in the Big Apple.
Here’s the 5 French places you should experience in NYC:
Maison Premiere
Located in Brooklyn, this horseshoe-shaped bar and little restaurant boasts a working absinthe fountain and 30 kinds of oysters–2 French staples! If you’re up for juggling a crowd, join them for $1 oyster Happy Hour, starting at 4pm.
Cherche-Midi
Crispy frog legs, anyone? This downtown staple is perfect for grabbing cocktails at the bar, then indulging in a nice, slow, classic French dinner, accompanied by loads of wine, of course.
Experimental Cocktail Club
This Lower East Side gem is a place to enjoy creative and complex cocktail concoctions, while taking in the vintage-chic vibe it oozes.
The Top of the Standard
With a swanky 1940’s vibe and a killer view of the NYC skyline, this is a place every New Yorker (French fan or not!) should experience at least once. It’s really one of my favorite places in the city to go all dressed up and feel drenched in glamour.
Your Apartment!
One of the highlights of Belau’s book is that she gives different French-inspired entertaining tips throughout–depending on season and theme. Since the holidays are fast approaching, I love love love her idea of a Joyeuse Noel Fete, which can be held in your very own tiny NYC apartment! The concept goes like so:
-Start the party later (say 8:30pm) because dessert is the concept
-Set your Spotify/Pandora to a Christmas themed playlist, of course accompanied by French holiday classics
-Serve a signature French holiday cocktail
-Do a French holiday dessert exchange, similar to a cookie exchange. As the host, you will provide boxes or vintage tins for guests to collect an assortment of desserts to take home and enjoy throughout the season!
Thank you for these fabulous suggestions, Doni!
Do you have a favorite French inspired place you frequent? Share below!
Jessica Tiare Bowen lives in the juicy Big Apple with her adorable pink-nosed chihuahua, Gillman. He’s the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “Park Avenue Pound Puppy.” The book is the combined result of her two greatest passions: pooches and penning stories.
Her passions include art, urban hikes through Manhattan, drinking coffee with 3 creams and 6 sugars, making extremely detailed itineraries and traveling to far away places, singing along to Broadway shows, Netflix movie nights, discovering incredible treasures at Goodwill and thrift stores, and listening to stories from little people under 7 and big people over 70.
She started her career as New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching elementary school and theater arts at a special education school in the South Bronx for 6 years. She is now a Special Education School Improvement Specialist working in public schools throughout New York City. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the online New York City travel magazine, Used York City. The magazine focuses on finding the best of New York…as used by New Yorkers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an ASPCA Ambassador.
