Explore Venice's Cicchetti, Master Clam Garlic Bread, and the Best Pools in Paris
The result is buttery, garlicky toast is crunchy on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside. Bubbles are highly recommended here, whether that’s beer or Champagne.
CLOVER SAINT GERMAIN: FRENCH PASTA IN PARIS
This tiny restaurant on the Rive Gauche by renowned French chef Jean-François Piège revolves around a unique concept: French pasta. We’ve been fans of Chef Piège for years (we specifically love his orange cake recipe and his bistro), so we were eager to give Clover a try. It’s like nothing you’ve experienced before. While it’s a pasta centered restaurant, it’s really based on classical French food and flavors while also incorporating housemade pasta.
CITY ISLAND CLAM GARLIC BREAD
Yolanda and I went to City Island in the Bronx a couple of years ago to check out one of the many old-school seafood restaurants there. The house appetizer—garlic bread with chopped clams—stands out in my memory. I have since adapted the recipe at home, starting with a standard hoagie roll. (I like how these rolls retain their sponginess when toasted; a baguette is fine in a pinch if you can’t find them.) I start by making a compound butter to slather on the roll before it’s popped under the broiler. The result is buttery, clammy, garlicky toast that is crunchy on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside. Serve this warm starter with your drink of choice. Bubbles are highly recommended here, whether that’s beer or Champagne. This recipe also works well with fresh clams if you’re lucky enough to get them.
DISCOVERING VENICE’S BEST CICCHETTI
Cicchetti are a type of snack famous in Venice, Italy. They are normally small bites or bread topped with ingredients like anchovies and pesto, whipped salt cod, octopus, burrata, or mortadella. Why should you try cicchetti while visiting Venice? They are a local specialty. A quick and easy snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Plus, they are great with a glass of wine or cocktail. Whether you are looking for a light lunch, midday snack, or accompaniment to a few martinis, cicchetti are the perfect option. Where should you go to find the best cicchetti in Venice? Here are three of our top picks:
Quadrino, This casual restaurant is located inside one of Venice’s oldest coffee houses and offers high-end cicchetti bites. They even offer a cicchetti tasting menu with accompaniments such as focaccia with whipped salt cod, blinis with smoked sturgeon and caviar, hand-chopped beef tartar. sea snails, and arancini.
GUIDE TO THE BEST HOTEL POOLS IN PARIS
If you’re planning a Paris trip, you might want to consider a hotel with a pool for those chilly Paris days or to cool off in the middle of a hot summer day. It can be a great way to relax after exploring the city. I thought we’d share some personal recommendations and a few spots on my wishlist for the next trip. Here’s the lowdown on where to find the best hotel pools in Paris:
Le Grand Mazarin Hotel: This place has a charming little pool with a stunning hand-painted ceiling. It’s cozy with just a few lounges, but it was rarely crowded when we swam. Plus, there’s a hot tub – perfect for a post-sightseeing soak.
Bloom House Hotel & Spa: Think of a long, spa-like pool with relaxing bubblers and flowered wallpaper. Super pretty with a fountain, but heads up – it tends to get busy. Grab a bench early if you can!
AUTHENTIC THAI RESTAURANT IN PARIS NEAR NOTRE DAME
This Latin Quarter Thai restaurant is said to be the oldest Thai restaurant in Paris. We went after reading mixed reviews online and would have to side with the good reviews. Located just steps from Notre Dame, the location is charming and the welcome from its (apparently) husband and wife owners is warm.
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