We all like to have lunch with a girlfriend now and again right? … there is something in the camaraderie of a girl’s lunch that is totally different to other occasions. So much to talk about, to laugh about, so much to share.
I don’t lunch with friends every day, not even every week actually, so when I do I love to find the right place where we’ll be comfortable, un-hurried and relaxed.
Sometimes I go for the restaurant of a hotel, simply for the whole ‘haven of peace’ atmosphere. Sometimes a country restaurant with small tables tucked in to the shade of trees, and sometimes I like to test a restaurant that I’ve heard a lot about, and that is known for great people watching, or fantastic food … or both!
If you sit down for a long lunch at a restaurant in Paris, the waiter will generally understand pretty soon that there is no urgency about your meal. He’ll sense that you do not need to rush through a quick plat du jour, swallow a café and get back to the office. He’ll probably breathe a quiet sigh of relief to know that you won’t mind if he lets you wait between courses, and that you’ll be happy to linger over a coffee or two.
That is just the sort of place that I look for, good food, good service and great décor.
I’ll soon be bringing you news of my step-by-step around Paris series, but in the meantime here is a restaurant that I enjoyed last week, in the company of my friend Vicki Archer actually, and which ticks all the boxes. An address to hang on to for your next trip here.
Les Editeurs is in the heart of St Germain and is all about eating well and feeling comfortable. The décor is rich and cosy, red velvet chairs, walls lined with books (Les Editeurs means the Publishers) , a good Parisian buzz to the place where the home grown clientèle mixes happily with visitors from afar.
The first floor is purely restaurant, while the ground floor is a mix of café, restaurant and bar – very charming.
And if you’ve ever been to Paris, I’d love to know, what was your favourite address for a meal, or your most lasting memory of a place you visited?
35 comments
Looks lovely! I’ll be in Paris with my husband soon and think we’ll try it!
I’m going to Paris very soon, Thanks for this charming addresse!
Maria.
Yes ,Sharon That is one of our favorits a other one nearby for dinner is Boullion Racine
(Rue Racine ) we have been going there THE day iT opend ,amazing decor ,iT started as a Belgian outfit but sadly they trotted of to Belgium ? But iT still have THE same good looks .If you are interested I still have THE Wotld of Interiors from 1997 with THE whole story !!! And last but not least I love Your mails , and those romantic story’s yum !!! Lfs Anneke
La Cerisaie in Montparnasse. Unbelievably good southwestern France cuisine. Tiny place but lovely people, and the cassoulet was the best I’ve ever eaten.
L’Ange 20, near the Place de Vosges. Tiny kitchen, wonderful food. May be dinner only. They used to be in the Marais but recently moved.
I love this. Going to Paris and seeing all of these spots is my dream vacation.
I once spent SIX HOURS in the lovely courtyard at Hotel Costes with a friend. We had lunch and just kept talking. The waiters occasionally refilled our water pitcher, very discreetly, so we never felt pressured to leave. We finally paused our gab fest to look at the time, and were shocked. Totally classy of Costes not to rush us.
don’t leave us hanging, Sharon – what did you both nosh on? And was it just as delicious as the omelette with truffles?
This looks so charming! Dying to know what you ordered! We once ate at Les Bookinistes (spelling?) along the Seine. We had dinner and I do not know if it is still there. The name reminded me of your restaurant you discuss in this blog today. We had a memorable lunch in the more casual section of Voltaire. But every lunch is special in Paris. Thank you for the lovely photo.
We had the most amazing lunches at the Musee d’Orsay. Love
reading and viewing your blog.
Hope to visit Paris again some day.
I don’t know the name of the restaurant we ate at in Paris, but last Spring it was a dream come true to be in France. We ate at a little cafe, outside patio dining and at sunset the lights came on and lit up the Eiffel Tower. It was magic! I will never forget it.
Sharon-
This is charming! Interesting to see the chairs facing the street. I hope to visit there
one day…in the meantime, I think it would make a lovely painting if you do not mind my using your photo for reference?
Kindly,
SandiO
Sharon,
I loved your post today! Your blog and fabulous photos always draw me back to memories of my childhood & teen years in France – I’m adding this restaurant to my list of “must visits” for my next trip to Paris (March!) I’m always in search of new (to me) restaurants for relaxing gatherings and this sounds perfect. In March I’ll be meeting up with one of my longtime BFFs, friends since middle school at the American School of Paris ’79. This year we are celebrating 50th birthdays – a long relaxed lunch is on the agenda!!!
Your plan sounds so nice! My daughter and I ate there back in 2010. She was only 9 years old, but loved Paris and the French Onion soup at Le Editeurs. We have moved to Singapore from US since and she attends Singapore American School. I wonder if she and her friends will get back together in Singapore as you are doing with your friends….
I remember an early date with my husband (the night I fell in love with him) he told me I could choose the place. I chose a small ,quaint,bistro in a historic seaside village. Dinner was fine but I have no idea what we ate and the waiter refilled our coffee cups so many times after the meal he actually stopped asking. We were holding hands across the table, ingering over our coffee and became so enraptured in one anotherthat we actually lost all concept of time. All of a sudden I looked up and gasped. The bistro was empty, the waiters were sweeping up and putting the chairs up on the table and we were so ensconced in each other we did not even notice!! On the way out the door it was late and we looked towards the ocean and I told him there was a lighthouse on the island but I had never been able to find it. We took a drive and found it, blinking and solitary in the light of a full moon with the waves crashing in the distance. A most romantic dinner, 27 years ago and still going strong. It just goes to show, it is not the food but the company that makes tres difference!
Wow! I dream of something like that! Sounds like the stuff of a great memoir!
Looks a lovely and cosy place. I have it on the list.
Thank you for all your posts, Sharon. They are all inspiring.
Looks a lovely and cosy place. Thank you for all your post, Sharon.
They are all inspiring.
Sharon, it is wonderful to picture you and Vicki having lunch in such a special place! !
That’s one of my favorite places in Paris. Un verre de rosé on a summer’s evening…unbeatable. I was so glad that they didn’t gut its soul when they renovated it in the summer of 2014.
Sharon, my girlfriend and on our visit to Paris in October 2013 stopped for a quiet glass of wine in the pavilion de la reine hotel. It had no tourists, you poured your own and it was a cosy intimate relief. How civilized!! We were inspired to drop in as it was mentioned as the hotel in Kati morton’s memoir “Paris A Love Story”.
Sharon…. I am SO excited that you wrote about this restaurant!!! I have been there! My last visit to Paris my friend Lawanna was very much wanting to go to Le Comptoir which is just across the street. Of course they were booked. It was a cool and rainy night the end of September. We saw Les Editeurs and went in. It was amazing!!! It was her first visit to Paris, and her first dinner there. I was so glad that it turned out to be so special. We also ate there our last night in Paris. Its also on my niece’s list to go to when she visits this summer
Oh and a p.s. I also really love Chez Rene. Very Parisian, and cozy.
Oh what fun! When visiting Paris on my own I always stay just across at the Relais St Germain and have whiled away many an afternoon sitting on the terrace, but I had no idea there was a restaurant on the first floor. I’ll be sure to try I next time!
Lunch with a girlfriend is one of the experiences I treasure. In a time that everything is rushed it’s so nice to enjoy a wonderful leisurely meal with a friend. And of course the atmosphere must be just right. Love your blog.
A girlfriend who lives in Paris just hosted a girls dinner at Tierny & Co (137 Ave de Versailles, Passy). Three Aussie girls in the most traditional French restaurant in Paris. Its off the tourist trail, so like us you’ll be the only non-locals there no doubt. The French husband and wife team spent time in California so their food is French with a light Californian touch. It’s not a spectacular destination a la Musee d’Orsay Dining, Le Train Bleu or the salon at Musee Jacquemart Andre, but Tierny is fabulous food in a welcoming French bistro.
I loved sitting outside in the courtyard of Ralph Lauren’s restaurant in St Germain. The blue and white decor was so peaceful after a full day of exploring Museums. Also Chez Julien is small and romantic. A very French bistro filled with Parisians.
I will be in Paris in May and staying not far from this restaurant. Thanks!! It looks just perfect.
The restaurant sounds like some place I would want to pick to have lunch with my girlfriend when we do have lunch. It sounds wonderful
I just read your post about truffles and omelet. It sounded so divine. Will be trying the
omelet . Thank you for sharing. Take care of you.
Be Blessed.
Thank you for your lovely post about this gorgeous restaurant/cafe in St-Germaine. When my husband and I come to Paris we always stay in St-Germaine and I look forward to eating here when we next visit. We stayed for a week at Vicki’s fabulous Le Petit Bijoux in St-Remy and hope to stay there again.
One of my favorite spots! Cannot wait to get back to Paris soon 🙂 Traveling via armchair this morning – thank you!
Hello Sharon,
I just returned from a wonderful week in Paris. I already miss it. My favorite food while there was Bistro Francois Felix. It was right next to Sofitel at 15 Rue Boissy ‘Anglas. The waiters wear kilts, just for whimsy. It is out of the way and has a lovely terrace.
The flower shops captured my heart. I just wanted to stand inside them, lol. Like a living art gallery.
I love your blog.
Best , Angela.
First of all I appreciate you for the beautiful work, house looking very gorgeous and I surprise after seeing such beautiful wall. Thanks for creating and sharing superb information of home decor.
Lea Edited looks like the prefect place for a leisurely lunch and catching up with a good friend…
I’ve been to Paris 22 times, J’aime Paris!, rent apts in 5th or 6th area. One of my favorite restaurants is La Cuisine de Philippe, 26, rue Servandoni, across from Jardin Luxembourg. Incredible shuffles, small, charming, family run, incredible meal. Also ‘Le Restaurant’ in the Musée d’Orsay, decor alone worth going for. Lovely lunch. Also lovely is the cafe in the Musée Rodin, light lunch in jardin, overlooking the roses.