A Weekend in Paris, Part One.

I've never been to Paris before.

I know I know it's like 2 hours away (quicker to get to than where I went to uni in York), but I've just never made it over there. And it's like always been my dream to go. The romance, the beauty the chic women, the pastries and patisserie!! The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! Oh and stripes and moustaches of course. I wanted to see it all.

Finally, a few weekends ago, I ended up going. I was praying I didn't get that Paris Syndrome that Japanese tourists get when they go to Paris because they're so disappointed that it's not like the movies. I had however heard about, and prepared myself for shit-covered pavements and rude waiters.

Arriving Friday evening after work, I was swiftly whisked away for dinner at a gorgeous little wine bar/restaurant called O Divin! Found after hours spent perusing blogs about Parisienne restaurants (the reputation in London is that the food there isn't great) I decided on this one from the great Paris restaurant blog, The Paris Kitchen.

We sat outside in a little courtyard on a very balmy evening and ordered the 6 course set menu (which changes weekly) along with a delicious wine pairing.

So, I can't remember what this is (or most of the dishes, we didn't have a written menu) but what I do know is that the first two dishes were interesting and ok, but not outstanding. However what followed was the best food we had in Paris!!

The Modern Pantry, Clerkenwell

I had a bit of a failed brunch on my actual birthday (this was back in July), so I was determined to go for some proper good brunch on a gorgeously sunny Saturday. Where else but the Modern Pantry?

Fera by Simon Rogan, Claridge's

I was completely spoiled on my birthday. What started out as a picnic in Hyde park on a gorgeously sunny day turned into a surprise birthday dinner at a restaurant I've wanted to go to since it opened - Fera.

Everything felt so special - the walk in the main entrance of Claridge's, being greeted by top-hatted and tailed doormen, and being guided by the manager through to Fera. 

The dim entrance only served to make the room of the restaurant all the more impressive.

Sushi Tetsu

It starts like this.

Street Kitchen Breakfast

The day after the birthday I was in need of some serious head soothing. Being close to Liverpool Street, what better than Street Kitchen's breakfast.

Hiding inside Broadgate Square is an unmissable, large silver airstream, converted to house a professional kitchen and coffee machine.

Midnight Duck and Waffle Feast

There's a reason it stays open 24 hours and it's time we made the most of it.

The night of my birthday party, after all the celebrations, my boy and I headed for a midnight feast in Duck and Waffle - his first time too!

We started with lobster foie gras creme brûlée - possibly my favourite dish ever from D&W.

Octopus, potato, capers and balsamic.

City Social - The Highest Restaurant in Jason Atherton's Empire

Jason Atherton is pretty much everywhere right now. Opening up many restaurants in the past two years all over the world, not just London, with a few gaining Michelin Stars, he is the man of the moment. So his latest opening in Tower 42, one of the skyscrapers in East London was very anticipated.

You enter in a lift, but unfortunately unlike Duck and Waffle, there is no view.

The dining room is gorgeous. Huge lacquered woods, sexy reflective low ceilings, giant ghurkin-facing booths, and floor to ceiling glass offer the most incredible views.