Mother’s Day Out in Paris by Devanshi Mody
Featured Hotel in Paris
Intercontinental Paris Le Grand
See all hotels in Paris >
Paris sprinkles at this time of year. Where more romantic than Paris in the springtime to take Mummy dearest on a weekend of magic? Or perhaps the modern mummy can take off by herself. No dearth of beaux in Paris should she require any gallant assistance with those enormous shopping bags…
Secret Stays
Paris is known for its grand “palaces.” They need no introduction. But one of the city’s best kept secrets is Hotel Marignon conveniently and chicly ensconced between Les Champs Elysee and the tres glam Avenue Montaigne. Just the place to check into if Mummy’s on a wild shopping weekend. Whilst the recently refurbished design hotel is in the heart of the fashion and the action it is elegantly poised on a quiet street so you have the best of both worlds- serenity amidst glitter. Go for the suites with charming terraces with stunning views over the Eiffel Tower. They are just the place to enjoy the hotel’s fantastic breakfasts. The croissants and pains au chocolat are addictive…
Michelin Mummy
Every time you think 3-Michelin-starred gentleman chef Guy Savoy cannot possibly outdo himself, he seduces you anew with his beautiful cuisine, beautifully presented. The recently-launched menu is an extravagance that distinguished Parisians make a point to afford on a regular basis. But what a refreshing change to see romantic young and very chic couples coming for the signature truffle speciality with buttered brioche, wonderful breads to match each course and the chariot de mignardise, the ultimate decadence. But the chicest Parisians will settle for nothing else! And they constantly explode satisfied, “Parfait, as usual!” This is French Savoy-Faire at its best!
At L’Arpège: Alain Passard and his quirky staff ensure a lively Michelin starred experience. Be not duped by the deceptively informal ambiance. This is Paris’s most expensive restaurant. Because eccentric Passard is the most innovative of Parisian chefs and his new menus are whacky if not insane. Expect fennel ravioli, crazy carrots in chocolate sauce, avocado and pistachio soufflé, garlic crème brûlée… The chef experiments with contradictory flavours and savours, constantly pushing the boundaries of the “acceptable” and never fails to surprise, or perhaps shock.
Imbued in history, encrusted in the prestigious arcades of Le Palais Royal, the legendary Le Grand Vefour, considered Paris’s first “restaurant”, ever enchants the romantic mummy with its timeless magic. The setting exudes opulence and ensures that troops of tourists click away during meals. But we prefer keeping them in mind than on cameras and mobiles.
The restaurant lost its third Michelin star. And a good thing too. For now Guy Martin, striving to recuperate lost glory, exhibits the technical perfection and culinary mastery expected of him. Extraordinary are the cheeses. Desert is a 4 course affair. Yes… The super sophisticated textures and flavours make then the finest in all Paris. The sweet onslaught includes fantastic delicacies including homemade chocolate and the most addictive melt-in-your-mouth traditional cake from Savoie.
Ingredients and Inspiration
At Astrance, the extensively-travelled Barbot infuses ingredients and inspiration from his voyages to offer you a world on a plate: Depaysement comes via a taste of Japan, China, Thailand, India etc and other exotic influences. “Exotic” doesn’t constitute explosive flavours. Indeed, many creations are somewhat bland whilst the signature black curry, a veritable mish-mash, is perhaps more innovative than tasty. However, the “oxymoronic” ultra luxury white truffle paired with peasant food lentils worked. As for the little “surprise” they serve, keeps one guessing about the ingredients. If you get them right, we’ll invite you to supper there next time. But beware there’s a 3-month waiting list…
Three Michelin-starred Le Pré Catalan’s revamping has imparted va-va-voom into what was formerly one of the most conservative of Parisian gastronomic abodes. Oof-so-chic Parisians in pearls and diamonds adorn the premises, coming as much to see the eclectic new ambiance as for the chef’s preparations, a fiesta of ethereal emulsions, rarefied accompaniments, innovative alliances et al. They have some rare cheeses and But don’t miss the fabulous apple desert which looks more like it belonged in an art gallery than on a plate.
For a gastronomic terrace, Michelin-starred Le Laurent it is. Combining the charms of al fresco seating and the culinary creativity of gourmet food it’s amongst Paris’s most romantic. The lush interiors might even lure you inside where you’re wrapped in a swirl of elegance. You’d be very foolish not to drop by on your Parisian escapades this summer. Succumb to subtle preparations as chic as the setting. Be sure to dress up.
At cosy Michelin-starred Céladon opt for young chef Christophe Moisand’s subtle and creative cuisine served amidst porcelain Celadon vases. Try the adventurous Tomato Noir desert containing tomato confite, almonds and Modena vinegar. Sounds disgusting but it works for the chicest palates!
For a provincial experience par excellence head an hour north to Two-Michelin-starred Chateau de Montreal. The charming country ambiance gives out warmth as does the open fire place. The service is sublime, the cuisine creative and soon to be become exotic now that the chef has employed an Indian sous-chef. The cheeses remain very French as does the to-die-for pear desert.
Un Petit Faim
La Chinoiserie’s sumptuous Oriental décor whisks you away on an exotic voyage but from the glass roof above you have quintessential Parisian architecture bearing down, watching you relish the young chef’s adventurous preparations. It’s obvious that the chef has worked under the best (including star chef Robuchon) when you savour his artichoke starter or the most ravishing ravioli EVER. One massive, sublimely textured ravioli arrives concealing perfectly cooked asparagus within. Try the Esphahan for desert.
Le Crillon Bar is a glam spot to stop for post-shopping lunches including great club sandwiches and the classic Crillon crème brulee. A must for the Mummy with an addiction to the fabulous Faubourg St Honore.
153 Grenelle effuses quiet elegance but gets noisy when full of the fashionable people with the finest palates- everyone from the heads of Gault Millaut, the prestigious gastronomic guide, to youngsters with a taste for refined cuisine. The larger-than-life, formerly two-Michelin-starred chef Jean Jacques sustains an ambiance of bonhomie whilst the bons vivants savour his fabulous cuisine. Everything from unctuous asparagus soup to lush potato pure is exceptional. This is no-nonsense, hard-core French cuisine at its best. The caramel ice cream is the most divine you’ll ever have. But try the vanilla cream you must! Don’t forget to leave room for the little madeleines served with coffee.
Bon: Phillip Starck recently refurbed this 16th arrondissement address with a nice library-like enclave is trendy for a Vietnamese meal.
Le Bamboche: Exquisite presentation, excellent black rice French-style risotto, goats cheese with bread ice cream and to-die-for 4-spices-infused crème brulé.
Choc Shop
No sane mummy leaves Paris without masses of chocolate shopping. Luxury chocolatiers specialise in specific flavours tailor-made to suit every palate. Cacao et Chocolate boasts exotica like Papuan Lumi, Venezuelan Tonka, Peruvian mango, passion fruit… Spice things up with cardamom-infused Kerala or Cayenne peppered honey Zope… Jean-Paul Hévin it is for ganache of different teas and caramels. Pierre Marcolini, offers the finest intensely dark chocolate bars made with the most extraordinary “cru” of chocolate.
Try Patrick Roger’s lime and lemon specialities and heavenly dark chocolate bars. Maison du Chocolat are for truffles. Pierre Hermé does excellent dark chocolate besides seasonally, sensationally whimsical creations like his legendary millefeuille now re-incarnated in saffron flavour as are M. Hermé’s extraordinary Émotions, innovative deserts served in a glass. For the very daring there’s also spaghetti in a fruits of the forest soup…
But mad Mummies get into a car and take off to the Loire region about an hour and a half out of Paris in pursuit of the world’s best chocolate at Noel Jovey. You can’t go wrong with the classics but if feeling adventurous, try the subtly quirky innovations.
Tea Time
Le Bristol’s “Thé Complet” is a MUST. The delightfully old-fashioned address becomes very hip during the trendy Fashion Teas when guests enjoy fashion shows organised by Paris’s top designers whilst relishing tailor-made pastries capturing the flavour of the designer. Ooh la la. Just the thing for Paris Fashion Week. One must always be fashionable in Paris. But don’t be fashionably late this time…
Book your next Mother's Day in Paris. Check out Travel Intelligence's listings of luxury hotels in Paris.