When I was a small child of maybe 4 or 5, my father regularly took me to Le Palais Royale, his favorite Parisian spot. We looked in many windows, but the strongest memory of those visits was the time he picked me up to look inside Le Grand Véfour, where Napoleon took Josephine, and my dad took my mom… once.

He said it was a place I must go to in my lifetime. Every single time I walk by Le Grand Véfour I can feel myself being lifted high up and hear his words.

Have I been? No.

I think it’s because the romance of that memory outweighs any need to actually dine there. Also, I have yet to read the menu and think “yes! I have to go”. It’s never been interesting or compelling enough.

But damn if it isn’t the most beautiful place… ❤️