juli b | october eats.

find vietnamese in the pigalle. pretend it's spring. it's eating season in paris and our forks are ready.

spring awakening.
young american chef daniel rose is cooking up some of the most innovative food at his hotspot, spring. this talented homme is showing off dishes like foie gras with vanilla scented potatoes, cauliflower soup with pigeon juice and chocolate mousse with blood oranges and basil. tea cup-sized but cozy, the restaurant serves only 16, and only mardi through vendredi. so reserve en avance. if you don't luck out with a reservation, try daniel's cooking classes. 28 rue de la tour d'auvergne, 9e, 014.596.0572. www.springparis.blogspot.com

eat your meat.
you've been on that raw food diet for too long. forget it and head straight to the le relais de l'entrecote. they only have one entree on the menu: steak in a special sauce, mounds of crispy frites, and a simple green salad. if you're still not satisfied, seconds are on the house. it's a charming and original location in saint germain de pres. but if you need a break from avenue montaigne, chow down at the rue marbeuf branch in the 8th. 20bis rue saint-benoit, 6e. 014.549.1600.

smell like a rose.
organic was a late bloomer to paris, but rose bakery was the first. london hip-meets-paris chic in this combo tearoom, lunch spot, deli, and bakery. the anglo-franco couple rose and jean-charles have set-up shop on the up-and-coming rue de matyrs with deliciously good and good for you lunch and snacks. after a healthy meal, pig-out on their legendary carrot cake. 46 rue des martyrs, 9e. 014.282.1280.

indochine.
perched high in the hills of montmartre, dan-bau serves the most authentic vietnamese food this side of pigalle. start with a tangy grapefruit and chicken salad and end with jumbo shrimp served in a coconut shell. literally rub elbows with your neighbor in this hole-in-the-bamboo wall. 18 rue trois freres, 18e. 014.262.4559.

baci me, baci you.
italian amore and paris romance meet at the luxe and sexy café baci. creamy leather banquettes, black venetian glass chandeliers, and purple velvet curtains with mod italian cuisine make for a good date spot. share the love with a group of friends upstairs in the private dining room. 36 rue de turenne, 3e. 014.271.3670. www.cafebaci.fr