I was recently in Paris for a few days on my own. I am a Francophile and really a Parisophile. I have been fortunate to travel there often and almost nothing in the world makes me happier than being in Paris and spending my day walking around the City of Lights. But, one needs a little lunch to help fuel all of that walking, and I simply had to make a stop at the new Ralph Lauren restaurant: Ralph’s. Located on the Boulevard St. Germain, the restaurant sits in a townhouse that used to be a hotel. You walk past large, gorgeous and oh so Parisian blue doors into a beautiful courtyard filled with large canvas umbrellas and iron chairs surrounded by lush flowers and greenery. A real Parisian garden experience. But, that is where all things Parisian stop. Ralph’s is a distinctly American restaurant and a damn good one at that. An American restaurant in Paris filled with the French. I was the only American in the garden that day, from what I could tell.
The menu is similar to the one you will find at Ralph Lauren in Chicago: a focus on steaks and a hamburger to die for. The meal begins, as both lunch and dinner do at Ralph’s, with a small appetizer of deep fried olives. I don’t even particularly like olives and they were divine. I chose the Cobb salad for lunch, and it was by far the best Cobb salad I have ever had. An entire sliced chicken breast surrounded by sliced avocado, bacon, chunks of blue cheese and an egg. So satisfying and beautifully prepared. That said, when the waitress brought the boy sitting next to me an order of fries to eat with his burger, I immediately got her attention to order a side of those for myself. Thick cut fries in a small bowl. I ate them all. It was a truly delightful American lunch in a beautiful Parisian place. Reservations are a must a Ralph’s, so if you are popping into Paris anytime soon, put this one on your list and get a reservation prior to your feet hitting the ground in France.
This dress is my favorite for this spring, and I brought it to Paris just to wear to Ralph’s. Bring your fashion when going to see a fashion icon’s outpost. Designed by Paskal, an up and coming designer from Kiev, this dress is laser cut silk and the color is well, if you ask me, fabulous. Distinctive and unique. Perfect for that distinctive and one of a kind place called Paris.
Here is to new beginnings in old familiar places. Xoxo. Me.
Dress: Paskal last seen at Jeffrey Atlanta | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
