A hidden cinematic corner

Strictly for movie lovers! Walking along Grand Boulevard one can find a "passage" called "Passage Jouffroy" which a walk all the way until the end leads you to a little ally on the left called Galerie des Livres (Book Gallery) and yes folks, you guessed it, its all about books! I was drawn into one shop in particular called "Cinedoc" – which specializes in everything to do with the world of cinema from books, to posters to photographs to old press clipping and some classic collectors DVDs - and it's amazing! It's a very modest little place that offers plenty for movie lovers with even a section dedicated to Bollywood. Cinedoc has been around for 20 years and apparently, according to the shop employees, is the only one of its kind in Paris. I warn you that this little place can draw you in for quite a while rummaging through their stock. Running across the shop is a long table covered with alpha- betically filed envelopes which contain images and photographs of cinematic icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Robert De Niro and Marilyn Monroe – each image sells for around 20 euros. As for the abundance of books adorning the shelves, unfortunately most of them are in French, but there is a small corner dedicated to books in English.

Man, there is even that 'old movie' smell gracing the air…

Cinedoc can be found at 45-53 Passage Jouffroy in the 9^th arrondissement. Nearest metro is Grand Boulevard line 9 . www.cine-doc.fr

Apparently one doesn't come here for the food - one comes here to be 'seen'. Just my kind of place! I therefore decided this was the spot to hold my birthday lunch and invited a group of friends who merrily described it as 'a sex-in-the-city' luncheon. Hotel Amour is appropriately located in the steamy 9th aarondissement of Paris - in the Moulin Rouge area with one its creators being the man who practically owns the Parisian night-life scene, artist André. He also happens to be one of the founders of the famous club Le Baron and Paris-Paris. The other creators are Thierry Costes of the Costes family and Emmanuel Delaveine. So with such well-known names behind this joint, one can expect to see their celeb friends and famous DJ's wondering the premises.

Now back to the restaurant itself...
Its decoration has a very cool simple feel with wooden vintage tables and chairs, plain walls with just a splash of red and back furniture. A bright red banquette graces one of the corners, and above which is an unpretentious shelf holding a small collection of books and a fully stocked bar waves hello from the opposite corner.

However, just outside is what makes this restaurant most desirable - a charming lush green patio/ courtyard which becomes very popular during the sunnier seasons for a breakfast, cocktail or just for a social scene.








The food was really good too! I highly recommend their Argentinian Entrecote with a side of house special french-fries and a small salad, taken with a bottle of red wine (we ordered the Chateau La Claymore 2004, Lussac St Emilion - excellent!) and for dessert a dreamy chocolate fondant. Incidentally, the bread which they serve with your meal comes from the bakery found on the same road as the hotel which is Sarkozy's favorite and orders from there everyday. The menu is set at very reasonable prices too.

All in all, it was a very cool and relaxed birthday lunch, we left the restaurant slightly drunk, well fed and very happy! The hotel is located at 8 rue de Navarin in the 9th - nearest metro Pigalle, line 2.