Dreaming of Paris? Let Ina Garten fulfill your desires. We love following her tips on the Food Network, so why would we not love following her in France? Barefoot Contessa took a trip to the City of Lights and she’s sharing every sweet and savory detail with us on Instagram. Get ready to take notes. We’re taking a walk in her virtual shoes to see her favorite spots.
Her virtual tour started on May 9 with a picture of her husband Jeffrey and the caption, “OMG back in Paris after 2 1/2 years in a rabbit hole! Granted, it wasn’t a terrible rabbit hole but when you can’t safely leave home, anywhere starts to feel a little claustrophobic. It’s so good to be here and everyone is so happy! First stop, a glass of rosé and some chips at Café de Flores. For the next two weeks, I’ll take you to some of my favorite places. Stay tuned.”
Editor’s Note: Ina and her husband’s pick, Cafe de Flore (not Flores — probably an excited typo or autocorrect!) made our picks for 9 Best Cafes To Experience In Paris. See the rest here.
Since she loves sharing food, recipes, and flowers on her account, it’s fitting that her first stop was Adriane M Fleuriste, a charming flower shop. “First stop in Paris always has to be @adrianemfleuristeparis because Paris isn’t Paris without a gorgeous bouquet of flowers.”
What would a trip to Paris be without a little indulgence at a bakery? Ina next shared a photo of some delicious-looking treats at Poilane, a “contemporary by tradition” bakery established in 1932. “When Jeffrey and I came to Paris in 1971, we stayed in a small orange tent on the outskirts of Paris (we couldn’t afford a hotel room!) but the bakery @poilane was on my list of things to see (how did I even know about it??). Now my favorite bakery is a block from our apartment and I go there all the time. If someone had told me then how things would turn out, I simply wouldn’t have believed it. Frankly, there are still moments when I don’t believe it! ????”
Editor’s Note: Obviously, Ina has great taste. Poilane made our list of 7 Best Bakeries In Paris According To A Former Baker.
You certainly can’t get the real taste of Paris without cheese, right? Ina shared five photos that will certainly make your mouth water. “Too much cheese; too little time! The renowned cheese shop Barthélémy is my favorite cheese shop in the world and it’s right around the corner! ??????”
We’re not exactly sure where she is for déjeuner on May 13, but she captioned the photo of coffee and bread with “Breakfast of Champions” and we’d have to agree. This was followed by “Lunch of Champions” of a salad with warm goat cheese and frites at Cafe Varenne. We’d agree with that caption, too.
If anyone can find the most exquisite local grocery store, it’s Barefoot Contessa. She posted photos of pastries, gorgeous tomatoes, and tomato tarts from La Grande Épicerie de Paris. “@lagrandeepicerie is the best specialty food store in the world! It’s a full city block on the 7th and it has every imaginable wine and food you could want. And it’s my local ‘grocery store!’ Tomato tarts for lunch! ????”
Editor’s Note: Want more on La Grande Épicerie? It made this Paris local’s list of My 9 Favorite Places In Paris To Go Shopping and another local’s guide to The Best Things To Do In Saint Germain Today.
Ina’s second week in Paris started with more gorgeous fresh flowers. You can almost smell the roses through the photos. “Week two – time for fresh flowers but there are so many choices @adriennemflowers !! But my philosophy here is the same as at home – simpler is better. ????”
If you want to get an idea of where Ina roams when she’s in Paris, her post on May 17th shows two of her favorite streets: le Cherche Midi and rue de I’Université.
More pastries were on the menu, but we’re not exactly sure where. She said it was a little far, but worth the trip, and it certainly looks like it. The raspberries are gorgeous!
Then on May 19, dinner at Twenty-Two Club Paris. It has 22 seats at a communal table overlooking the gardens of Palais Royal. There is a tasting menu and wine pairings by Verjus Paris.
“Thank you Braden & Laura Perkins for a magical dinner at your @twentytwoclubparis dinner club!! The setting in the Palais Royal is stunning, the dinner Braden prepared was beyond delicious, and we will remember the evening forever. #hotsmokedtroutsalad . The view from your window is so beautiful and, literally, timeless. @verjusparis @ellsworth.paris.”
It was a little bit of everything on May 20 at Maison Verot. Here, you can stock up on all kinds of delicious treats from pastries to sausages to deli salads. It’s been making some of Paris’s best charcuterie since 1930 and won awards for it. “I love the charcuterie @maison_verot from the crème brûlée to house made pâtés, salamis, and … snails?? All delicious!”
Ina wrapped up her trip with a selfie. “Au revoir Paris! It sure was fun!! ????” It was, Ina! Thanks for taking us along!
Ina Garten’s Stops In Paris:
- Cafe de Flore
- Adriane M Fleuriste
- Poilane
- Barthélémy
- Cafe Varenne
- La Grande Épicerie
- le Cherche Midi
- rue de I’Université
- Twenty-Two Club Paris
- Palais Royal
- Maison Verot
