Dining in Paris…Gossip Girl Style

Update: In the Season 8 season premiere, Blair’s “Paris” is really Oheka Castle in Long Island, NY.

In last season’s finale of Gossip Girl we found out Blair & Serena would take on Paris for the summer.  Already incredibly stylish in Manhattan, imagine them with their Chanel and Louis strolling along the Champs Élysées or sipping tea at a cafe.  If I had my Paris vacation two weeks earlier, I would have been there during filming (darn!).  Nevertheless, the city was every bit as wonderful as shown in the show.  There is something about the city, a certain aura where the people and everything are just so much more glamorous.  With tonight’s season premiere, I relived belle Paris in the eyes of Blair & Serena.  Where did they wine and dine?  Here’s a recap.

Blair “sampling sugary snacks like a modern Marie Antoinette.”

The episode’s opening montage did not disappoint as it shows Blair with the Eiffel Tower in the background, tasting assorted pastries from patisserie and tea salon, Laduree.  I know Laduree doesn’t have an outdoor location so I’m not sure where the scene was filmed.  To be specific about what she’s tasting…

The dessert stand displays macarons.  The second tier has Laduree’s chic version of a cupcake. The cupcake top is a fondant icing with a swirl of cream and fruit garnish.  Directly in front of the stand is the Saint Honore pastry, featuring fresh raspberries and a red rose petal garnish.

Of course you can never have too many macarons so Blair takes some to go in a limited edition pink and black Yazbukey boxthat I picked up on my trip as well.  By Blair’s side is Serena swinging the eye-catching pastel green bag.

“Cobblestones and Cafe de Flore” once a popular spot for French intellectuals to discuss philosophy but now filled with tourists including myself.  While overpriced, their house hot chocolate is the best I have ever had and worth every bit of the 7 euros on a rainy day in Paris.  We’re not talking about watered-down powdered drink.  It is creamy and rich with just the right thickness.  It was like drinking a melted souffle.

Photo courtesy: Michel Cluziel

Photo courtesy: Michel Cluziel

For those who prefer to eat chocolate, Blair frequented chocolatier Michel Cluizel who has a shop in Paris near the Tuileries Garden and also in New York by Rockefeller Center.

Blair and Serena greeting each other in front of Chez Julien, a chic bistro known for their frog legs, foie gras and Chateaubriand steak with fries.

Seen in both Paris episodes, Café Louis Philippe was their regular afternoon apertif spot.  Gossip Girl posts that Blair dined at Drouant, a classic French restaurant whose focus is on market-based ingredients, particularly vegetables.

Blair and Serena double date in the Cristal Room at Baccarat, a museum that showcases works of art made of crystal.  The restaurant incorporates some of the crystal theme in the chandeliers and table setting.  It’s an eventful evening as Blair is unknowingly dining with a prince and Lou Doillon, French actress/model makes an appearance as herself.

In episode two, Chuck buys flowers for Eva at Marché Alibert, one of Paris’ many produce markets.

Photo courtesy: Screen captures © 2010 The CW Television Network

 

Les Bonne Addresses:

Ladurée Champs Elysées
75, avenue des Champs Elysées
75008 Paris

Cafe de Flore
72 Boulevard St. Germain
75006 Paris

Chocolat Michel Cluizel
201, rue Saint-Honoré
75001 PARIS

Chez Julien
1, rue Pont-Louis-Philippe
75004 Paris

Cafe Louis Philippe
66, quai de l’Hotel de Ville
75004 Paris

Drouant
16-18, place Gaillon
75002 Paris

Cristal Room Baccarat
11, place des Etats-Unis
75116 Paris

Marché Alibert
rue Alibert, along Hôpital St-Louis
75010 Paris
Sundays 7am-3pm