How to have a Perfect Parisian Friday in NYC

Bon vendredi à tous! This past January I celebrated my birthday in New York City. It was an awesome trip of course. I mentioned previously that we visited the Chelsea Market, and got to eat at the magnificent Miznon. But what made this trip really special was my actual birthday. I spent the whole day doing everything French. So I want to share with you, how to have a Perfect Parisian Friday in NYC.

le matin

Our hotel had room service, but no croissants on the menu – quelle horreur! We picked up champagne on our Chelsea Market visit. The afternoon before my birthday we picked up croissants, a baguette, jam and pain au chocolat at Maison Kayser. There was also had a coffee maker in the room. How to have a perfect Parisian Friday in NYC? Start with a very Parisian petit-déjeuner – in bed!

After your champagne breakfast in bed, throw on your Breton Stripe Shirt and head out to The Met for some french art! I’m talking about The Metropolitan Museum of Art of course, one of the world’s largest and finest art museums. It is celebrating it’s 150th anniversary this year. Head directly to the French Impressionist section. Bask in the beauty of Monet’s Water Lilies. Revel in Renoir, delight in Degas. Imagine you are in Paris on The Boulevard Montmartre on a Winter Morning 1897 with Pissaro. Take your time and just enjoy this gallery, it’s truly wonderful.

l’après midi

After the museum, grab a pretzel or a hotdog from one of the venders outside (it is NYC after all), and walk down 5th Avenue to Albertine. Albertine is a french bookstore and part of the cultural services of the French Embassy. On my visit I picked up Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust translated to English by Lydia Davis. I’ve always wanted to read this. I also picked up Little Culinary Triumphs by Pascale Pujol, also translated to English by Alison Anderson. SoloLibri describes it as “Short and exhilarating, a very Parisian novel.” Make sure you check out Albertine’s ceiling – a hand-painted mural of constellations, stars, and planets.

Next, head over to Madison Avenue and stop by Diptyque. Treat yourself to one of their luxurious candles or better yet find your signature fragrance. This is where I finally found mine, Eau Capitale. The scent that perfectly epitomizes Paris.

To top off a perfect Parisian afternoon in NYC, go straight to Bemelman’s Bar at the Carlyle Hotel. Named in honor of the author of the Madeleine books, his murals surround the bar, one is pictured above, making it a truly charming atmosphere. Order a champagne cocktail, parfait. Or order a Manhattan like my husband did, perfect aussi. Hopefully Sharif will be your bartender, he made our visit extra special.

le soir

Time to head back to the hotel and freshen up! Where to go for a Parisian dinner? There are so many choices in New York City. For me, Balthazar is the place to go for traditional french fare. Once you enter under the bright red awning you are transported to a brasserie in Paris. Mirrored walls, beautiful red booths, friendly staff and happy crowd, sit back and soak up the atmosphere. I wanted to try all my favorites, instead of ordering a meal. so I started with oysters, then onion soup gratinée, followed by a salad and their famous pommes frites. I ended with profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Absolutely the perfect ending to how to have a perfect Parisian Friday in NYC.

I hope you enjoyed my Parisian day in New York! Please let me know in the comments, and please subscribe for more dream itineraries in the future. Join me next week for a Monday meditation! Bon weekend and à bientôt!