Love is in the Air: 10 Addresses for Valentine’s Day in Paris

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Love is in the Air: 10 Addresses for Valentine’s Day in Paris
Musée Rodin The beloved museum celebrates its centenary this year. The art of romance is interpreted here with a pop-up Sensorial Soirée of jazz, lighting effects, poetry; everything combines to say, “I love you”. It’s an homage to the artist/sculptor (1840-1917) fascinated by women and their bodies (“The Kiss”). Rodin lived a complicated, and much chronicled, love story with Camille Claudel; their steamy letters are the basis of the evening’s ephemeral journey. To feed the body, and not just the soul and the mind, Café Rodin stays open – or there’s still time to head off to one of our picks below… Price: €20, 7-9 pm. Reserve online: www.musee-rodin.fr  L’Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Hotel Send your “Love is in the Air” invitation via Le Peninsula chauffeur or Page Boy bearing a bouquet of red roses and personalized dinner invite (€1200 + wine – for two) at one of the the capital’s most romantic restaurants. Reserve  a week ahead ([email protected]) or dine in one of the hotel’s two other restaurants. The Lobby: menu €180 / person (excludes drinks – includes romantic music). At Le LiLi the menu (€188) does not include wine and you can go A La Carte if you prefer. Tell him/her with a “Heart of Love” by The Peninsula’s Pastry Chef Dominique Costa, there’s a personalized message hidden inside as well as sweet treats, and, if you wish this can be accompanied by a wooden hammer to break the heart/or bash him on the head (up to you !) at €35 supplement. Or, opt for the white chocolate Page Boy at €15 extra (see photo) Book a week in advance and collect or have delivered at: [email protected] Le Versance Samuel Cavagnis’ tempting multi course menu is €132 without wine but with water, coffee or tea – his wine pairing menu comes in at €172. Expect exquisite dishes utilize market fresh Saint Jacques, Oysters, fresh herbs, truffled chicken and mouthwatering desserts. Reserve on line or by telephone. 16 rue Feydeau, 2nd. Metro: Bourse. Tel: 01 45 08 00 08. Website: http://www.leversance.fr/menu-st-valentin2018 Cafe de la Paix & La Perla Executive chef Laurent André begins with a flute of rosé champagne and Caviar Impérial de France as the foreplay to his 4-course dinner (€120 per person) climaxing with Profiterôles, ganache au chocolat, creamy interior, passionfruit concocted by young head pastry chef Sophie de Bernardi. On each table a chic box contains a golden ticket; the next day take this to La Perla’s flagship lingerie boutique at 20, rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré where a surprise awaits lucky winners. Oh la la! http://www.cafedelapaix.fr/en/ Patrick Roger In an “Audacious” (the name of one of his candies) move,  thechocolate maker and sculptor extraordinaire has opened a state-of-the-art boutique (designed by Lina Ghotmeh) next door to the classic La Maison du Chocolat on rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré. Seems the suits at MDC were not best pleased – but that didn’t phase Choco-Roger one bit. “Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and Balenciaga are all together at ze other end of the rue, there’s room for everyone, n’est ce pas,” he reasons. Roger’s Valentine offering this year is based on  “the four wise monkeys” – go figure, me neither – but go find better chocolate anywhere in the world. Or, play safe with his sculptural dark and handsome chocolate hearts (from €39) www.patrickroger.com Elsa + Justin – Vegetarian Valentine Option Recently launched at 202 Faubourg Saint Martin in the 10th arrondissement, Elsa and Justin cook for you – eat in or take away – in their airy space. At the time of writing the two lovers have not decided on their Valentine’s menu,  “it will depend on the market deliveries,” says Justin. 202 Faubourg Saint Martin, 10th. Metro: Château-Landon. Tel: 09 83 90 89 30. Website: http://elsa-justin.com/english/ Les Ombres Located on the rooftop of the Jean Nouvel-designed Musée du quai Branly, Les Ombres offers one of Paris’s most poetic and romantic panoramic views. Facing the Eiffel Tower, the restaurant opens onto a large terrace, read, uninterrupted views of the Iron Lady and the starry, starry night in the city of love. Chef Frédéric Claudel and his team’s Valentine’s menu is €220 per person, with as much Pommery champagne brut rosé as you can manage to match lobster, sole, veal and two sensational desserts. 27, quai Branly, 7th. Metro: Bir-Hakeim. Tel: 01 47 53 68 00. Website: http://www.lesombres-restaurant.com DÉPÔT LEGAL “Love is in the dépôt,” says Christophe Adam, creator of L’Eclair du Genie and main man behind the canteen that ticks all the boxes: restaurant, tea-room, bar, epicerie – open from 8am-11 pm. CR’s Valentine tasting menu is a real steal at 70€ for two and includes 2 flutes of champagne with the 7-course menu. Expect Burrata, Tarama, Rilettes de Saumon, Pitazza (pizza/pitta) Black Angus, Truffled Croque Vivienne and 2 wicked eclairs.
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Lead photo credit : Vertumne et Pomon, Rodin

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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 !

Comments

  • Randy Rankle
    2018-02-08 16:23:47
    Randy Rankle
    Really!?!?! L'Oiseau Blanc is seriously mediocre restaurant with a dire decor, high prices, no atmosphere and airport lounge food. WOuldn't dream of going there for Valentine's Day!

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