L’Ecrin at the Crillon and More: 6 of the Best Restaurants for July in Paris

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L’Ecrin at the Crillon and More: 6 of the Best Restaurants for July in Paris
Restaurant L’Ecrin – Le Crillon Following major transformations, taking four years, the listed palace L’Hôtel de Crillon (built in 1758 by Ange-Jacques Gabriel) now has 124 rooms, with two of the 33 designer suites by Karl Lagerfeld (from €1,350-€3150) with the addition of pool, spa and Louis Benech’s fragrant green spaces. Executive chef Christopher Hache– who returns to his shiny new kitchens after four years of world travels in Asia, Peru, Brazil via California– is excited about the new challenge. No longer called Les Ambassadeurs, his new themed 28-seat, very exclusive, gastronomic restaurant is now L’Ecrin, open for dinner only and closed on Tuesday, but Le Brasserie d’Aumont, designed by Tristan Auer (ex-Liaigre and Starck) helmed by chef Justin Schmitt, will open for lunch and dinner. Taking care of pâtisserie is Jérôme Chaucesse MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier De France). Reopened 5th July, 2017. 10 place de la Concorde, 8th, Metro: Concorde. Tel: 01 44 71 15 00. www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-de-crillon Auberge du Bonheur Tucked behind La Grande Cascade in the Bois de Boulogne, the former stables of Napoléon 111’s hunting lodge is now a secret address even Parisians don’t know about. The bucolic shady garden is open (7/7) for cool outside summer eating, in winter Auberge du Bonheur transforms into an elegant chalet where it’s good to chill around the fireplace. Toast Napoleon with a Kir Royal (14€) Starters include Tomato and plump Burrata from Pouilles (14€) Foie Gras Terrine, onion jam (€11) Avocado and Shrimp “cocktail” (15€) Mains of pepper crusted beef carpaccio, roquette, topped with parmesan leaves (21€) Chicken, coconut milk and citronelle (€22) and Calamare a la plancha (28€). Excellent desserts of the ubiquitous strawberry Pavolva (13€) Rasberry Sablé with pistachio cream (14€) Grapefruit cheesecake with lime chantilly cream (12€) We enjoyed the rosé Côtes de Provence “Le Caprice de Clementine” (32€). If you prefer red the 2011 Château Bellevue-Laforêt Fronton at 24€ is excellent value. Allé de Longchamp, Bois de Boulogne, 16th. Metro: Port Maillot & then 5 minutes by taxi. No Reservations. www.restaurantsparisiens.com Le Drugstore Founded in 1958 by Marcel Bleusein-Blanchet. Following transformations by Tom Dixon OBE (inspired by the unique Parisian identity of The Drugstore Dixon remembers from his student days in Paris buying aspirin late at night) working with multi Michelin star chef Eric Frechon the iconic address (open 7/7) is now a sleek brass, marble and brick neo-classical brasserie where, Frechon says “I’ve put everything on the menu I want to share.” Go for breakfast, lunch, le tea-time, le after work and dinner. 133, avenue des champs Elysées, 8th, Metro: Charles de Gaulle Etoile, Tel: 01 44 43 77 64. Open 7/7. www.publicisdrugstore.com  Dépôt Légal In a historic move, Christophe Adam the genius behind Eclair du Génie has opened a canteen chic, just off Place des Victoires. “In France, legal deposit (Depot Legal) was initiated by the 1537 Ordonnance de Montpellier, under which a copy of any published book had to be delivered to the king’s library, for conservation purposes. The main depository is the Bibliothèque Nationale de France and until recently Adam’s space was used for this purpose. Keeping the original antique bare walls, industrial furniture vibe DL is restaurant, cafe, tearoom, pastry shop, delicatessen. Open from 8am-23hrs with Saturday and Sunday brunch – no reservations but there are the signature eclairs, smoothies, salads, toasties, tartars and tartines. Poke Bowl anyone? 6, rue des Petits-Champs, 2nd, Metro: Palais Royal, Tel: 01 42 61 67 07 Saint James Club Summer Garden Terrace A unique address in the heart of Paris, from where the first hot air balloons took off in the eighteenth century. In 1892, it was acquired by the widow of France’s President Thiers to house a foundation in homage to her late husband. In 1985, it transformed into a very exclusive English style private club. Acquired by the Bertrand family in 2008, the building, today a private club, hotel spa and restaurant, has undergone an exceptional renovation by talented Franco-American decorator Bambi Sloan. Between classicism and modernity, her inspiration taps into Napoleon III and Visconti, passing via My Fair Lady and The Avengers! Today, Saint James Paris welcomes non-Members, for dinner on weekdays and Sunday brunch. The club recently welcomed the talented chef Jean-Luc Rocha, MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France). A delicious new chapter begins…  43 avenue Bugeaud, 16th, Metro: Porte Dauphine, Tel: 01 44 05 81 81. Valet Parking – Garden & Terrace. www.saint-james-paris.com Terrass Hotel The 7th floor rooftop/loft style bar of the newly transformed Terrass Hotel (since 1911) declares the cocktail/mocktail season officially open! Emeric Aguilar, formerly of Le Plaza Athénée and Le Royal Monceau creates fantasy cocktails 7/7 – from 3:30 pm – to match the panoramic views of our favourite city (from 16€). Moulin Rouge (Ketel One Vodka, Chambord, Merlet Crème de Pêche, Fresh Raspberries, Apricot Juice, Cranberry Juice, Champagne Besserat de Bellefon)  Medicinal Beauty (Hendrick’s Gin, Dolin Vermouth Blanc, Lemon Juice, Violet Syrup, Fresh Rosemary) or Siberian (Mamont Vodka, Fresh Ginger, Lemon Juice, Angostura Bitter, Fever Tree Ginger Beer Pineapple Juice) If you are more classic, you also have Gin Pink Pepper, Vodka Stolichnaya Elit or Tequila Don Julio 1942. Book now for “Dinner with a View” 14th July. Saturday and Sunday Brunch (42€) + wine. And why not get a room at this iconic Montmartre location from 189€ – to 1,100€ + breakfast for the magnificent Terrass Penthouse. See you there! 12-14 rue Joseph de Maistre 18th, Metro: Place Clichy, Tel: 01 44 92 34 14. www.terrass-hotel.com  
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Lead photo credit : Cour d'Honneur at the Hotel de Crillon.

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Born in Hampton, Middlesex, UK, Margaret Kemp is a lifestyle journalist, based between London, Paris and the world. Intensive cookery courses at The Cordon Bleu, London, a wedding gift from a very astute ex-husband, gave her the base that would take her travelling (leaving the astute one behind) in search of rare food and wine experiences, such as the vineyards of Thailand, 'gator hunting in South Florida, learning to make eye-watering spicy food in Kerala;pasta making in a tiny Tuscany trattoria. She has contributed to The Guardian, The Financial Times Weekend and FT. How To Spend It.com, The Spectator, Condé Nast Traveller, Food & Travel, and Luxos Magazine. She also advises as consultant to luxury hotels and restaurants. Over the years, Kemp has amassed a faithful following on BonjourParis. If she were a dish she'd be Alain Passard's Millefeuille “Caprice d'Enfant”, as a painting: Manet’s Dejeuner sur l’herbe !