Neither the pandemic nor the economic uncertainty can stop the pace of Paris. The newest and most popular venues of the City of Lights, which has not lost anything of its splendor, will impress your soul.
Kith
Kith, one of the most popular stores in the USA, opened its first branch in Europe in Paris in the past months. The store, located on Rue Pierre Charron, a few steps from the Champs Elysées, draws attention with its eye-catching architecture and decor. Carrara marble-clad entrance and barrel-vaulted ceiling of the shop, which bears the signature of Snarkitecture design studio, are worth seeing. To celebrate this new opening, Kith has teamed up with Nike for Air Force 1 shoes in the colors of the French flag, available only at their Paris outlet. A special chandelier, made from cast resin Air Max 1s, is also available in the shop.
The venue’s Sadelle’s restaurant, which is dedicated only to brunch, serves ice cream, caviar, and different options from American cuisine. The restaurant’s plant wall, located in the glass-enclosed courtyard, was designed by botanist Patrick Blanc. The store also has Kith Treats, a cereal and ice cream bar. Kith, where trendy sneakers, men’s, women’s and children’s ready-to-wear products are exhibited, attracts its customers with its inviting decor.
Dover Street Little Market
Dover Street Little Market opened in Paris’ Faubourg Saint Honoré Street. Seven brands are exhibited: ERL from Venice Beach California, Honey Fucking Dijon from Berlin, Liberal Youth Ministry from Mexico, Rassvet from Moscow, Vaquera from New York, Victor Weinsanto from Paris, and Youths in Balaclava from Singapore. Unlike Dover Street Market Perfume, which opened in 2019, it is clothing-only. The brand, which has a mission to support young talents in the fashion industry, offers various supports depending on the project, from collection production, commercial development, and communication strategy. The store, which belongs to the famous ready-to-wear brand Comme des Garçons, is a candidate to be one of the alternative fashion addresses of Paris with its eclectic look and bare concrete floor.
À l’Épi d’Or
The Épi d’Or opened in 1880 in the Les Halles district of Paris. It opened at dawn to bear the “forts des Halles” name given to the workers carrying and loading crates and goods. Workers brought with them beef or shellfish for the cook to prepare. Along with this cheerful crowd, wheat merchants from the old the Bourse de Commerce would come to have their dinner. The bistro, named after the nearby Bourse de Commerce, has always been run by women. Épi d’Or, which turned into a popular venue visited by artists from theater and ballet performances in the 1920s, was renovated by the famous chef Jean-François Piège and his wife Elodie and opened to service as À l’Épi d’Or. The menu, which offers options such as lamb meat, crouton pate, steak tartare, croque-madame, rice pudding, chocolate mousse, is prepared with seasonal products in accordance with the bistro cooking tradition. À l’Épi d’Or, where natural wines are served, has remained almost unchanged since the Art Deco years with its oak walls and under-glass gold embroidery. The restaurant, which has a nostalgic atmosphere with its mirrored walls and mosaic floor decorated with wheat and poppy stalks, is a great option for those who want to taste real French flavors.
La Samaritaine
La Samaritaine, one of the iconic buildings of Paris, added beauty to the beauty of the City of Light with its renewed face. The renovation work of the building, which is a mixture of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, took 16 years. La Samaritaine, founded in 1870 by Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jaÿ, evokes Baron Haussmann’s modernized Paris and the Second Empire, the period when the city’s first department stores arose. La Samaritaine, used as a 7-storey luxury shopping mall, consists of 650 brands, 12 restaurants, social housing, offices, and a nursery. The store, renovated by Pritzker-winning Japanese architectural studio Sanaa, is like a jewel that emerged after a meticulous restoration process. The venue, located right next to the Seine River, dazzles with bright yellow Belle Epoque peacock frescoes and gilded Art Nouveau balustrades. We recommend La Samaritaine to those who want an authentic French experience.
Maison Mère
Maison Mère, opened in the 9th district of Paris, is an interesting 4-star hotel. The hotel, which draws attention with its art gallery, co-working cafe, pop-up shop, party area and art center, has 51 rooms. For 6 months, 5-6 artists can display a work of art in each room or decorate a small room of Maison Mère, in the hotel where many events involving artists and local talents are held. In addition, the hotel organizes interviews with artisans such as fashion designers, photographers, florists, and woodworkers. The Hey Honey bar-restaurant of the hotel, decorated by Alexandre Danan, serves breakfast with French specialties, an à la carte buffet, an all-day snack menu, teatime accompanied by pastries, brunch, and dinner.
In the evenings, the cocktail bar turns into a magnificent nightclub. In the bar, where you can listen to music accompanied by a DJ, you can drink cocktails prepared by mixologist bartenders. It is possible to taste local craft beers as well as organic French wines at Hey Honey Bar.
Ogata
Ogata is one of the most popular restaurants in Paris recently. It offers a contemporary interpretation of traditional Japanese culture. The venue, designed by architect, designer, and chef Shinichiro Ogata, consists of a tea shop serving Japanese confectionery, a ceremonial tearoom, a gallery of art from tableware to furniture, a craft store displaying elegant handmade household items, a bar, and a gastronomic restaurant. Ogata sheds a new light on the art of tea, Japanese confectionery, and cuisine. Ogata’s top floor features the open kitchen of Chef Kazuki Watanabe, who worked with Ogata. The menu, inspired by Japanese local specialties, includes appetizers such as duck salad and pears with black vinegar and special delicacies like donabe nikujaga, Japanese pot-au-feu served in an earthen pot with beef hangar. Japanese confectionery called wagashi, on the other hand, is small, tasting sweets made from rice dough and a kind of bean paste and fruit. Wagashi is served with green tea in tea ceremonies and also a reflection of the Japanese understanding of nature. The forms and ingredients of Wagashi also change according to the season and are called by different names. Ogata is a nice alternative for those who want to go on a mystical journey in Paris.
