Ciel - Japanese Patisserie in Paris

Sometimes* you can have your fill of eating flaky, buttery, creamy French pastry in gilded rococo tea rooms of the Ladurgelina calibre in Paris, but that doesn't mean you have to forego your afternoon sugar hit. The perfect foil to all that opulence is Ciel - a minimal Japanese patisserie set in a clean and airy, white space on the Left Bank, serving but one type of cake: fluffy and light angel cakes, which consist of a weightless (and butterless) sponge exterior encasing a subtle cream centre, in flavours ranging from sakura cherry, to yuzu, to earl grey to chocolate. The delectable little cloud-like cake can be eaten seated at the counter, washed down with all kinds of variations of Japanese tea, including an iced matcha latte or toasted green tea, or taken away in a beautiful origami box.  

Patisserie Ciel 

3 rue Monge, Paris 75005

www.patisserie-ciel.com

*sometimes, but not often

all photos copyright Kim Laidlaw

Café Kitsuné

Not content with being a highly covetable clothes brand and super cool record label, Paris-based hipster-favourite Kitsuné has added another string to its bow with the opening of Café Kitsuné just around the corner from its flagship store, in the picturesque Palais Royal Gardens. The small, standing-room only space in this refined square in the capital's first arrondissement - neighbouring luxury brands such as Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney - is in keeping with the brand's high-quality esthetic: marble counters, moulded ceilings and clean white walls are the stage for a sleek and shiny Marzocco coffee machine and plenty of fox-embellished merchandise ("kitsuné" means fox in Japanese). On the menu are Brazilian coffee roasted by the Workshop Coffee Co. in London - expertly made by the charming baristas in incarnations of espresso, latte, capuccino etc. - a concise selection of top-notch teas, creamy smooth hot chocolate, super-healthy juices from Bob's Cold Press and sweet gluten-free goodies from Noglu. All to be enjoyed standing at the counter with it's superb view onto the square or to takeaway for a stroll through the charming 17th century Palais Royal gardens and a spot of decadent window shopping. 

Café Kitsuné

51 Galerie de Montpensier

75001 Paris

Open Mon-Sun, 8.30am-6.30pm

all photos copyright Kim Laidlaw

Kooka Boora Cafe Shop

In the neighbourhood hotspot of South Pigalle, in an ideal location on the corner of avenue Trudaine and the rue des Martyrs, sits Kooka Boora, a new coffee shop that's already won over the hearts of the discerning locals. With its simple Scandinavian-style decor, complete with white walls, blond wood tables, comfy leather armchairs, and lots of light thanks to the vast windows, Kooka Boora fills up daily with creative types, students and mums and babies, coming to work, gossip or simply hang out whilst drinking a distinctly un-French cup of coffee. The menu features macchiato, espresso, cappuccino, and even a kid-friendly babyccino (frothy milk for sophisticated toddlers). There is also a large selection of tea and freshly made juices, as well as all kinds of sandwiches, cakes and cookies to go with them. Many things on the menu are organic and a brunch including organic bread and scrambled eggs is served on weekends. The free wifi is also a great draw if you're looking for somewhere to work whilst you get your afternoon caffeine fix. The menu features macchiato, espresso, cappuccino, and even a kid-friendly babyccino (frothy milk for sophisticated toddlers). There is also a large selection of tea and freshly made juices, as well as all kinds of sandwiches, cakes and cookies to go with them. Many things on the menu are organic and a brunch including organic bread and scrambled eggs is served on weekends. The free wifi is also a great draw if you're looking for somewhere to work whilst you get your afternoon caffeine fix.

Kooka Boora, 

62 rue des Martyrs, 75009 Paris

Tel: 01 56 92 12 41

Open 9am - 7pm everyday

All photos copyright Kim Laidlaw 

Le Bal Cafe

Le Bal Cafe is the scrumptious new English eatery attached to the equally new cultural space, Le Bal, just behind the bustling Place de Clichy in Paris' 17th arrondissement. On a quiet mews, just opposite a pretty little park, the popular Cafe is on the ground floor of the arts building and comes fully equipped for summer with its own cute little terrasse.

Managed by two Willi's Wine Bar alumni and with two ex-Rose Bakery chefs in the kitchen (both Anglo eating establishments par excellence in Paris), it's no wonder that top notch traditional British fare is the order of the day here. Brunch and lunch classics include kippers on toast, Ploughman's and kedgeree (the latter being an Anlgo-Indian rice and haddock breakfast combo for those of you not from the UK and/or born in colonial times), and the scones have already earnt themselves a Paris-wide reputation, resulting in them selling like, well, proverbial hot cakes, throughout the day.  All of this can be washed down with a lovely pot of tea, organic juice or even wine from the superlative wine list if you feel like bringing the whole experience back across the channel to France. Cappuccino is also available and much lauded by those who lament Paris' standard sock-juice of an excuse for coffee.

The airy decor is simple with mostly monochrome features, a vast blackboard announcing the fare of the moment, and a large shelving unit behind the counter houses delicious English condiments such as marmite (disclaimer: we appreciate the use of the word delicious in the context is highly subjective).  Overall, a great place for a casual brunch or tea with friends before or after a little jaunt around the latest exhibition at Le Bal (or not as the case may be).

Le Bal Cafe

6 Impasse de la Defense, 75017 Paris

Open : Weds/Fri Midday - 8pm, Thurs Midday-10pm, Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 11am-7pm

all images copyright Kim Laidlaw Adrey

Cupcakerie Chloe.S

Pink from wall-to-wall, the barbie-esque world of Cupcakerie Chloe.S provides a welcome contrast to the all together less innocent girly world of the surrounding sex shops and hostess bars south of Pigalle, Paris' red light district. At Chloe's, freshly made cupcakes (made in the very pink kitchen at the back of the shop) are displayed on the pink counter under glass domes, and the delicious flavours, which change daily depending on what's seasonal and the inspiration of the chef, can be savoured in the wholesome setting at the cute 50s style tables, accompanied by a kusmi tea, a smoothie or a coffee. Owner Chloe Saada, a graphic designer and photographer by trade, shows off her aesthetic prowess not only in the fabulously kitsch setting of the cupcakerie itself but also in the beautifully presented cupcakes, with elaborate and charming garnishes, often including cute touches such as glitter, children's sweets or fruit. But the proof is in the pudding, and in a city which has only recently discovered the calorific delight of cupcakes, Chloe's cupcakes are the best we've found: fresh, flavoursome, innovative and not too heavy.  The menu also features savoury cupcakes and there is a brunch menu on the weekend. We sampled a smoked salmon and Philadelphia bagel which was just as delicious as the cupcakes, and just as beautifully served. 

 

 

Cupcakerie Chloe.S

40 rue Jean Baptiste Pigalle, 75009 Paris

Open Weds-Sun, 11am-7.30pm

www.cakechloes.com

photos copyright Kim Laidlaw. All rights reserved. 

L'Hotel

Baby, it's cold outside...but it's nice and warm at the bar of L'Hotel, a sumptuous 19th century hotel with a Jacques Garcia designed decor, on the left bank in Paris. The book-lined, velvet-chaired, low-lit ground floor bar is a great place to cosy up for a warming afternoon tea or a romantic evening drink. 

What's more, the hotel's historic charm is authentic with literary legends Oscar Wilde and Jorge Luis Borges both having stayed here.  If it was good enough for them, it's good enough for us. 

L'Hotel

13 rue des Beaux-Arts, 75006 Paris

Bar open until 1am daily