Thursday, October 4, 2012
A Little Bit of Brooklyn in Paris? (Or Vice Versa?)
Posted by Monsieur Jerome on Thu, Oct 4, 2012 at 9:15 AM
People are always talking about how Brooklyn is the Berlin of the US, or vice versa. But consider this: Brooklyn is in a never-ending process of reinvention, and it might just be time for Brooklyn to become the Paris of the east coast…or make Paris into the Brooklyn of Europe? You know what we’re talking about. Read on to see some of the great reasons to get your Brooklyn asses to Paris. These two great cities may have a lot more in common than you thought. Read on for some eery similarities...
Located in the heart of Montparnasse district, the Brasserie La Coupole is an Art Deco masterpiece. But the restaurant’s oyster and shellfish offerings secured its reputation. Since its creation in 1927, La Coupole’s seafood has lured the likes of (Brooklyn's own) Henry Miller, Josephine Baker and Matisse to its tables. Williamsburg’s own Maison Premiere has transatlanticized that Parisian atmosphere (by way of the French Quarter). They’ve switched out La Coupole’s Art Deco for a Bistro theme, but kept the bivalve-oriented menu, adding a venerable cocktail and absinthe list.
The Marché des Enfants Rouges shopping area is the oldest covered market in Paris. After being established in the early 1600s, the quiet, thriving market remains a mainstay of life in the Marais district. Under the market’s new covering structure, you’ll find cheesemongers, vintners, grocers, and a totally awesome collection of small restaurants featuring Italian, Japanese, French, Afro-Caribbean, and Middle Eastern cuisine among way too many others. Smorgasburg meets Brooklyn Flea? Better.
So you’re in Paris, and you and your date have eaten (twice!); it sounds like taking in a movie at the MK2 theater is now in order. Their seating arrangements consist of a number of scarlet red "love seats" for you two to get snug. And with three cafés and a bar, it’s a nice place to spend the night eating and drinking more (shameless epicures!) before walking along the nearby Seine. It’s a boozy, foody, gorgeous movie theater that will take you straight back to Nitehawk Cinema (or maybe Nitehawk will take you back to MK2!).
For Paris shopping: Kiliwatch. Since the early 90s, it has been a veritable temple for fans of vintage. With a constant inflow of new pieces and a virtually limitless collection, you’ll find something in almost every style from the 50s to the 90s. Another hot spot, Stella Dallas Vintage, has been around for a while already but got its second wind a few years back with a new decor typical of what you can find in Tokyo.
Once again, you probably want to eat some more. You can try La Candelaria, inspired by La Esquina in New York, this spot is proof that nobody can touch New York when it comes to boozing, but it comes damned close. Opened just a few months ago, this little Marais cantina serves authentic Mexican food and fresh tacos. But you’ll find the real fun seated at the half-hidden, cozy bar at the back which serves elaborate cocktails and enough brands of tequila to make ‘em shout in Oaxaca.
More by Monsieur Jerome
-
Fall Musts
- Aug 29, 2012
-
Fashion Week Recap
Street Style
- Aug 29, 2012
- More »
Readers also liked…
-
The 10 Most All-American Eats in Brooklyn
Milkshakes, wings, cheeseburgers and much, much more. Also, U-S-A! U-S-A!
- Aug 1, 2012
-
5 Brooklyn Skincare Brands We Love
Even your face cream can now be local.
- Aug 10, 2012
