‘Barefoot Contessa’ Ina Garten’s Favorite Places to Wine and Dine in Paris
Barefoot Contessa star Ina Garten made a name for herself in the food world thanks to her Hamptons-inspired recipes and “easy entertaining” style. But, Garten also loves to travel and enjoy food from different countries and cultures. One of her favorite places abroad is Paris. Not only does Garten have an apartment in the City of Lights, she also has favorite places to wine and dine.
Ina Garten’s dream was to have an apartment in Paris
Barefoot Contessa fans know that Garten’s Instagram feed is dominated with posts about food and entertaining. However, she sometimes shares pics of her family – especially her husband, Jeffrey.
When Ina and Jeffrey celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2018, she posted some throwback pics of the couple. She also shared the story of how Jeffrey made her dreams come true when he bought a Paris apartment.
Ina explained that back when she and Jeffrey were dating, he wrote her a letter. She says she still has the letter, and in it Jeffrey wrote that he wanted to take her to Paris. However, since they couldn’t afford a hotel, he promised they would go camping.
He then told her that on their next trip they could stay in a hotel. And, maybe someday they could afford to have an apartment in Paris.
“Jeffrey, you’ve made all my dreams come true! #besthubbyever,” Ina wrote.
The Barefoot Contessa’s Paris neighborhood is a food lover’s dream
Garten once told Fodor’s Travel that her Paris neighborhood is the perfect place for a foodie. The area is filled with cheese shops, patisseries, and amazing fresh produce. She said that her favorite street market to visit is the one in front of her apartment on Boulevard Raspail.
“On Sundays, it’s an organic market,” Ina explained. “There’s a guy who makes potato pancakes. They have all the produce and cheese and everything you can imagine in a market, including an American guy who makes muffins.”
The Food Network star’s apartment is on the border of the 6th and 7th arrondissement. She says it’s located between the three best things in Paris. Poilâne, a bread bakery, Fromagerie Barthélemy, the cheese shop, and Bon Marché, a specialty food store.
The Barefoot Contessa explained that everything she needs for a dinner party is within a few blocks. And, she loves to give dinner parties in Paris.
The ‘Barefoot Contessa’ star has a number of favorite destinations in Paris
The bakeries and specialty food shops are perfect for when Ina is entertaining. But, she’s not always cooking meals at home when she’s in Paris. She also loves to enjoy the restaurants and hot spots that Paris has to offer. She says her favorite bar with the best bourbon sours is inside the posh hotel, Le Meurice.
According to People magazine, Ina also has a favorite Paris restaurant – Le Voltaire. She describes it as “heaven on earth.” She also loves Au Bon Accueil, which is near the Eiffel Tower. She says that after you go to dinner and you walk out of the restaurant, you’re at the foot of the Paris landmark.
“It’s just fabulous. And you just go walk down the Seine after that,” Ina explained.
For the quintessential Parisian café experience, Ina says fans should visit Café de Flore. Ina says that her idea of a perfect meal in Paris is an omelet and a glass of champagne at Flore.
The Barefoot Contessa airs on The Food Network.
