The 16th arrondissement of Paris, the neighbourhood around Neuilly and Passy, is one of the richest in the city, and French socialists, no lovers of bankers and their friends, like to dismiss it as boringly bon chic, bon gens. Well heeled it may be, but it’s not short of stylish café-restaurants, and one of the most atmospheric is Le Flandrin, housed in an old railway station at a crossroads on Avenue Henri Martin.
Recommended food the delicious Belon oysters from Brittany and the Steak Tartare. In August, the locals all decamp to the beach or the country, so Le Flandrin can be on the quiet side, but come le retour in September, it will be buzzing once again. There’s a splendid art-deco staircase inside, and it would be a good place to visit during Paris Fashion Week or the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but for lunch and dinner, you should always book ahead.