Racines(2) : dining with Martin Solveig…

Let’s talk about n°2 before n°1 ! After success of Racines (the number 1), launched by David Lanher in 2009 in the oldest covered passageways of Paris from 1800 (Passage des Panoramas, near Grands Boulevards), Racines(2) opened last november, in a charming little street between Rue Saint Honoré and rue de Rivoli in 1st district (so many good tips around ! by the way Spring- that you may know- is just close to it). The street where Racines(2) is located is called rue de l’Arbre sec (the dry tree street), but you won’t stay dry for a long as this fabulous little place designed  by  famous french designer Philip Starck is also a wine bar with many good surprises that will delight your palate, trust the somelière !

The decor is a kind of neo-rusctic contemporry bistrot (raw materials, trophies on the wall, open kitchen, guest table…).

The food is naturally exquisite, thanks to the quality of fresh selected products worked with respect, revealing , better : emphasizing their truly nature. The young Chef Nicolas Gaudin, 30 only, worked at Laurent and during 6 years with Alain Passard (Arpège, 3 stars Michelin guide ! ). You then understand his talent for meats, fishes and vegetables. But  not only !   Pierre Hermé himself congratulated him for his skill with desserts.

          

The first time I had a dinner with friends there, Martin Solveig was just sitting at the table next to me !! Then we came back with american friends from NY who loved the place and good news : the team of Racines think about opening soon a restaurant in the big Apple !

A lovely boutique hotel for Valentine’s day near Tuileries Garden : Le PRADEY

Im a huge fan of first district, that’ s why I live there : Tuileries gardens and the Louvre on one hand, Palais Royal, covered passageways and the Opera House on the other hand, without forgetting Saint Honoré street and Vendôme square…That’s why I recommend my clients to choose a hotel in this very convenient area. I had recenlty a crush for this new boutique hotel that opened last fall and asked a private tour for you. Immediatly I uderstood why I loved it : the architect is Vincent Bastie who made the Burgundy (one of my most read post) and Petit Moulin in le Marais, among 60 other  charming hotels in the city light ! There are only 28 rooms, the fifth floor is devoted to Suites with balconies and view on Tuileries garden.

         

“Opera” and “Cabaret” are decorated by our french icone of glamorous lingerie : Chantal Thomass. Want to feel like a ballerina or would you prefer to be for one night a dancer from Moulin Rouge  ? These two suites are perfect for a Valentine’s escapade for sure…

          

My other favorite suite is called “Collectionneur”(Collector), inspired by original furnitures designed by Jean-Michel Franck, re-edited today  by Hermes. By the way, in all the suites the furnitures, wall paper and  fabrics are from Hermes best collections. I’m crazy of the spectacular folding screen made of straw marquetry (on the left), fitting with the small round table with the same material, as soft as satin or women’s legs…

The breakfast is served in a vaulted room , it looks so delicious,  with fresh products only, from french countryside, as the decor !

The atmosphere is warm, cosy, refined, elegant, very ParisDeluxe&Arty you understood ! and the welcome is friendly. You’ll feel like beeing in a family private mansion more than a hotel.

Thanks to Vanessa, the gouvernante, who showed me the hotel and  thanks to S2HCommunication for images made by photographer Pierre Soissons.  www.lepradey.com