A REFINED YET RUGGED GUIDE TO PARIS

Have a weekend to kill in the MARAIS, my favorite section of Paris? Here is a list of things that I like to do:

Stop at ROSEMARY'S BABY (14, rue de Bretagne). They sell things like DIY Chanel shirts, Raiders baseball caps, and KIDS tees (as in the movie Kids, I don't even know if you can still get these in New York City anymore). Go there before or after a meal at nearby CAFE CHARLOT (38, rue de Bretagne). I like to get a big Caesar salad and a few glasses of rosé. I'm also a big fan of the oeufs pochés benedecitnes - best hollandaise sauce I've ever had. You should also go to le MARCHE DES ENFANTS ROUGES, which is the oldest covered market in Paris originating in the 1600s. You will find amazing Japanese food here, as well as cous cous (better than Chez Omar), fruits, vegetables, Northern African cuisine. It's also located on rue de Bretagne, right across the street from Cafe Charlot.

Wander down RUE VIEILLE DU TEMPLE for some A+ Paris shopping. There you'll find all the French staples: A.P.C., The Kooples, Sandro, American Vintage, Zadig et Voltaire amongst seemingly hundreds of other boutique stores. I suggest going to JEAN MARIE POINOT's store located at 85, rue Vieille du Temple. Everything in the store is made by Jean himself. I just couldn't help but smile inside the store, I was surrounded by beatifully crafted plastic jewelry in a rainbow of bright colors. He also sells jewelry made by his daugther. Talk about a creative family. MANOUSH BOUTIQUE is also on rue Vieille du Temple, where you will find amazing, intricate, and unique items inspired by Eastern cultures from clothes to accessories.

The Marais is home to the Jewish section of Paris. If you want beigels et pletzels, and traditional New York deli style food, you will find a plethora of possibilities on rue des Ecouffes. You can get a pastrami sandwich at SCHWARTZ'S DELI (I'm not sure if there is any relation to the Schwartz's in Montreal, but who said you can't find a little bit of New York flavor in Paris?). Be sure to get falafel or schwarma from the famous spot, L'AS DU FALLAFEL located at 34, rue des Rosiers, just around the corner from Schwartz's deli. For dessert, get a chocolat et banane crepe from LA DROGUERIE, 46, rue des Rosiers. Take your food to nearby Place de Vosges and enjoy.

Next up: BASTILLE!