The Joie Review No. 16

Whew. It’s been a minute since my last Joie Review.

A lot has been happening, and I’ve found it harder than usual to carve out the time to sit down and write these, even though I genuinely enjoy it. In a recent conversation about this, my friend Charli pointed out something very obvious. These reviews tend to run long because I try to fit everything in, which means they take longer to write and, probably, longer to read.

So I’m trying something new.

Instead of packing everything into one Joie Review, I’m going to simplify it (strong emphasis on the word attempt). My hope is to have fewer sections and a tighter edit.

And since many of you loved The Joie List I shared at the beginning of the year, and because I clearly love making lists of all kinds, I’m going to build on that and start sharing a Joie & Beauty List. The name may evolve, but the idea is simple. A place for shorter, more frequent finds.

The goal is to break things up so I can share more often, even in what is shaping up to be a very full year with a new book out, another one in the works, collaborations, and antique sourcing clients.

And as always, in between, I’ll continue sharing travel notes, personal essays, and spotlights for paid subscribers.

For some time now, I’ve been sourcing antiques for private clients and interior designers. I’ve never widely advertised this part of my work. I tend to keep it on the quieter side, both to respect my clients’ privacy and because it needed to remain small and intimate to balance alongside my own shop at the time.

But since closing the store, I’ve had a bit more space to say yes to a few additional clients and projects. Sometimes I shop on behalf of clients; other times, they join me, and we spend days moving from one place to another together.

During design week, I can only take on one client. This past January, I had the pleasure of working with someone who booked months in advance, giving me time to scout ahead. We spent a few days visiting antique shops across the city, followed by an epic day at the Puces de Saint-Ouen.

At one point, she asked if I ever get bored returning to the same places with clients. I told her it’s impossible, because no one is ever looking for the same thing. It’s why I love antique shopping in the first place. I’ve said it often, it’s treasure hunting. It’s the thrill for me.

My children are starting to get into it as well, which makes me so happy.

If you’re interested in a flea market tour, I’m always happy to recommend a few close friends, as well as wonderful art buyers. But if you’re looking for a more tailored buying trip, mixing antiques and contemporary pieces, you can reach me at ajiri@madamedelamaison.com.

I keep these experiences limited, and during busier moments like design week or art fairs, I only take on one client.

Below are a few beauties I spotted between the galleries and the puces while running around with clients.

I am fairly certain you can never have too many serving utensils. When strolling through flea markets, I often find myself picking something up and immediately convincing myself of all the ways I might use a new pair of tongs or a serving spoon.

I’ve always liked that they don’t need to match. When I see something that intrigues me or catches my eye, I take it home.

In the late 19th century, there was a real abundance of silver pieces made for the table, many with very specific purposes. There were asparagus tongs, oyster forks, berry spoons, sugar sifters, lamb chop holders, fish knives, and the list goes on. Each item was designed with intention, forcing all the different elements of a meal to feel special.

Perhaps that’s why I’m drawn to them. They don’t need to match, they simply need to feel beautiful or interesting to you. And you can honestly use them for whatever the heck you want. No need to feel trapped in their intended use. And often, they end up becoming little conversation starters at the table. The number of serving utensils I have collected and sold over the years is pretty bonkers.

EnYaa is one of those places that had been sitting on my “to try” list for far too long, and a special lunch with a friend finally gave me the excuse to go. We opted for the tasting menu at 120e for 7 courses and, despite the name, skipped the sake and champagne for a Japanese wine I didn’t even know existed. It was a pleasant surprise and paired beautifully with the meal. The seven-course menu was a variety of sashimis and delicate Japanese dishes, which I enjoyed until a few came that I wasn’t a fan of. There was also a lunch menu option of two courses (34e) or three courses (39e). Next time, I’d be curious to return for lunch again and try it à la carte or the smaller lunch menu.

EnYaa- Saké & Champagne
📍37 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris | Website | Instagram

Magnolia is a newish restaurant in the 9th that I visited for lunch. They offer a daily prix fixe menu for 25€ (entrée + plat) or 30€ (entrée + plat + dessert). I love a deal, but when I spotted a radicchio Caesar salad on the menu, I couldn’t resist. It was made with three types of radicchio, thinly sliced red onions, a generous amount of parmesan, and a pile of breadcrumbs. I tried recreating it at home, but it wasn’t quite the same, so I’ll be returning to see what other seasonal dishes they’re cooking up, and hopefully find my new favorite salad on the menu.

Magnolia
📍5 Rue Henry Monnier, 75009 Paris | Website | Instagram

After all these years, I finally made it to Chez Georges thanks to my friend Kim, who was in town and insisted we visit this OG classic French bistro. They only take reservations by phone, which they jot down in a giant, almost biblical-looking book, and are usually booked up, so set your alarm. The menu is full of French classics, and the portions are generous, so it’s best to come ready to share. That said, they do expect everyone to order a dish, so don’t plan on splitting just one, but you can order a few and share across the table.

What I loved about this restaurant, which gets a lot of love on everyone’s list of Paris faves, is how simple it is. No fancy menus, no froths that are supposed to taste like a hint of something else, and no shelter-mag worthy decor. It’s just a simple space and real food, which is appreciated when you remember that everything doesn’t have to be an experience. Sometimes you just need good food. I love the old-world charm here. It’s a small space with tightly packed tables and banquettes. We shared the lardon frisée salad and the lentils to start, and then moved on to a sole meunière and steak frites.

Chez Georges
📍1 Rue du Mail, 75002 Paris | Instagram

La Petite Chaise, which claims to be the oldest restaurant in Paris, is another place that feels simple but with a bit more attention to style. I loved it so much that I booked two lunches with different friends in the span of three weeks. It was hard to choose between the lunch menu and à la carte because everything looked delicious. The first time, I went with the prix fixe of watercress soup and roasted chicken with a gratin dauphinois. The second time, I went à la carte and ordered a salad and a duck parmentier. If you ask me for a lunch date in the 7th, we are probably booking this old gem.

Ralph's Coffee isn't a typical Parisian café built for loitering and people-watching. The intention was to bring a bit of Americana to the neighborhood: coffee to-go in a generous cup. There are a few seats if you want to slow down, but the spirit is more grab-and-go. I'll admit I'm a loiterer at heart, but if you're in the area and want to walk a coffee over to the Seine, this is your spot.

Ralph’s Coffee
📍173 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris | Website

I was invited to Café Lapérouse for a breakfast meeting and immediately noted it as a place to return to for a savory (or sweet) breakfast in a beautifully designed space. The lunch menu looked intriguing, so adding this to the list as a spot to visit before or after a visit to the Hôtel de la Marine.

Café Lapérouse
📍2 Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris | Website | Instagram