La Chambre aux Oiseaux

Spending time in Paris' many charming cafes has become a way of life for the moment and this makes me a very happy girl. There's nothing better than a hot cup of coffee or tea with a slice of cake when the cold autumn winds are blowing strong outside and the rain turns everything in Paris wet and grey.

A charming tea-room in the Canal St. Martin district, La Chambre aux Oiseaux joins a slew of cafes in this neighbourhood already well-known for Ten Belles , Tuck Shop (great vegetarian cafe opened by Australians) and Cafe Craft. 

Here, the owners have taken care to create an old-school cosy atmosphere with beautiful wallpaper, old wooden tables and well-worn armchairs; one immediately feels right at home.. or perhaps even in your granny's home.

It is the perfect place to enjoy a slice of orange almond cake (as I did) and a hot cup of tea while savoring a book and watching the world go by. I finished Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino while comfortably ensconced in a sofa by the window.

Cafe Craft

Another new kid on the Canal St Martin block with free wifi and great coffee. I also had an excellent matcha cake. The premise is simple and responsible – 3 euros per hour, deductible against coffee and cake. Sounds like a good and fair deal to me!

Still my favorite...

Ten Belles

Ten Belles is a great place to get your caffeine fix when you are in the Canal St Martin area. None of that Parisian bitter diluted coffee here! You get a good strong brew, friendly people and a charming open concept. 

Sharing a windowsill!

The Plain

A simple cafe serving one of the most delicious coffees in Singapore.

Hoshino Coffee's pancakes

are the best way to pass a quiet afternoon by yourself. 

I've been so busy meeting up with friends and settling family matters that these few weeks literally flew by! 

I return to Paris next week and summer would have gone just like that. 

Snapshots of Singapore

Duxton hill //

Coffee at Group Therapy //

Delicious dim sum - fried carrot cake, char siew pastry, lotus leaf glutinous rice & many more //

Colorful tropical fruits //

Song Fa bak kut teh (pork rib soup) //

Yes, a Singaporean's heart is never too far from food and we are spoilt for choice here!

Morning ritual

Déli-cieux

On the 9th floor of the Printemps department store, you can find a lovely huge terrace with a bar and café where, for less than 10 euros, one can enjoy a drink and the views over Paris. In the summer and autumn, the sunsets are gorgeous.

Colorova Patisserie

Saturday is the perfect day for brunch, where you have the long day ahead to savor a delicious meal and the rest of the weekend beckons.

We took the brunch menu which was filled with goodies like whipped cheese infused with bacon (shown below) and I had an extra order of scrambled eggs hehe. The menu comprised basics like yogurt, fresh orange juice, hot coffee/tea and bread with homemade jams and spreads. It was excellent.

And the highlight of Colorova Patisserie is the amazing variety of delectable tarts & cakes... Each is more elaborate than the next.

Definitely an address to keep in mind for afternoon tea with friends xx

Le Caféothèque

Often credited as the cafe which started the coffee revolution in Paris a few years ago, I finally made my way there this afternoon.

Service friendly & warm, huge space for a cafe with a decor reminiscent of brazil and africa, plus good coffee - full marks in my book!

Mamie Gateaux

I often go to the Chapelle de la Medaille Miraculeuse in Paris and have tea after at Mamie Gateaux. 

Le Bon Marché is just round the corner and it is such a joy to shop there cos it's so quiet. Being on the Left Bank and relatively far from the major sightseeing spots, it's the only department store which has not been invaded by tourists yet. 

 After so many years, they still maintain their much-loved old school decor..

Craving for warm scones today!