Where a Michelin-Starred Chef Loves to Eat in Paris
Plus, Ajiri Aki’s Favorite Stores in Paris
Welcome to The Relisher’s Paris edition! This week, I met with Chef Boris Campanella, the executive chef at the Michelin-starred L'Écrin—widely regarded as one of Paris’s top fine dining restaurants—located in the Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel.
In this special edition, Chef Campanella shares his go-to spots—from restaurants and French bistros to pâtisseries and more—while Ajiri Aki shares her favorite boutiques in Paris.
Favorite Parisian Bistros
“Brasserie Lazare is one of my top three favorite bistros in Paris , and a spot beloved by locals. Led by Michelin-starred chef Eric Frechon of Le Bristol Hotel, it’s known for its quick service, classic French dishes, and stylish ambiance.
My go-to dish is the Vol au Vent—a puff pastry filled with veal sweetbreads and a rich yellow wine cream sauce. And whatever you do, don’t miss the curry-flavored Cordes mussels—fresh mussels cooked in curry sauce. It’s an absolute must.
This brasserie is perfect for both lunch and dinner, whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or enjoying a relaxed meal.”
……………………………………………………….to read Chef Campanella’s entire interview on his favorite places in Paris CLICK HERE.
Where Ajiri Aki Shops in Paris
Many Substacks aim to bring beauty and joy into daily life, but in my opinion, Ajiri Aki is one of the few that truly does. Below, the local Parisian and founder of Madame de la Maison—an online boutique specializing in French antiques and table linens—shares her favorite stores in Paris.
Officine Universelle Buly is a shop that I frequent to buy presents for others and myself. Inspired by 18th- and 19th-century apothecaries, the boutique feels like stepping back in time, like you’ve been transported to a Parisian perfumer’s shop from another era.
I love that old-world elegance and vibe but brought into our present day. All the locations are absolutely stunning with ornate wooden cabinets, marble countertops, domed fragrances, and gilded mirrors. The shelves are lined with beautifully crafted lotions, soaps, body oils, combs, and toothbrushes, but what elevates these basic necessities into treasured items is Buly’s mastery of packaging and personalization. Every purchase feels like a gift, wrapped in exquisitely designed boxes and bags I never want to throw away.
The bespoke touches though are what make this one of my favorite shops. They hand calligraphy any name you desire onto the packaging, and you can engrave items like toothbrushes, lip balms, and combs on-site. And if you're at the Marais boutique, you can sip tea while you wait. It’s truly a special and personal shopping experience that doesn’t feel so transactional.
Landline General Store is the kind of home shop where I go in for one candle and leave with hand painted ceramics from Italy and a serrated tomato knife from France—because everything is just that thoughtfully chosen. Part general store, part concept shop, its focus is on ethically responsible, beautifully crafted goods from across Europe. There’s a quiet appreciation for craftsmanship here. Just well-designed, functional pieces meant to be enjoyed for years.
Since my antique shop, Madame de la Maison, is only online, I always recommend AXS Design to friends looking for an in-person shopping experience—without having to venture all the way to the Puces de Saint Ouen.
The shop is tucked away in a quiet cobblestone courtyard in the 11th arrondissement near Bastille, and it’s surrounded by other artisans and next door to Antoinette Poisson, another favorite textile brand and boutique.
I love going through the silver-plated cutlery arranged in jars, stacks of ceramic plates balanced on shelves, and beveled crystal glassware laid out on tables. I especially love how everything is thoughtfully color-coordinated and displayed.
Messy Nessy’s Cabinet is a true cabinet of curiosities near the Seine, created by Vanessa Grall—aka Nessy—whose blog and Instagram chronicle Paris’s hidden histories and best people-watching moments.
The shop is full of surrealist antiques, framed taxidermy, miniature paintings, and English books (including her Don’t Be A Tourist guides). The real gems, though, are Nessy’s witty creations—bottled Eau de Seine (yes, actual Seine river water) and shadow box collages featuring matchbooks and coasters from iconic cafés.
Thanks for reading,
Gabrielle
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