"We don't go to restaurants where the Americans eat," said my Paris-dwelling, American-born friend Ellen as we were leaving Fish La Boissonnerie, a restaurant in the sixth arrondissement where wine lovers—American and otherwise—are known to congregate. "But that was really good. I'd go there again," she added with a toss of her head. Ellen, a resident of Paris for the past 20 years and a woman steeped in Gallic culture (and prejudice) didn't realize that some of the best places to eat and drink in her city... Anxiety Disorder: Is There an Escape? Urban Farming With the Leafy Green Machine What Canadians Think of Trump's Tough Talk on Nafta 'Rich Dad' author Robert Kiyosaki on how to get rich in real estate Donald Trump's Unpredictable 100 DaysParis store with no French wines wins award 25th April, 2016 by Rupert Millar Soif d’Ailleurs, a wine shop in Paris’ 3rd arrondissement that sells no French wine at all, has been named Wine Shop of the Year by a leading French gourmet guide.

The shop, set up two years ago by Alsatian, Mathieu Wehrung (pictured), was named as the best wine shop in France for 2016 by the ‘Pudlo Paris’ guide. The shop sells 450 wines from 41 countries, made from over 150 grape varieties. Covering leading producers from Australia, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Greece, Germany, South Africa, Portugal and the US among others none of the selection, however, comes from France; which those familiar with the country know is practically unheard of. A statement from Pudlo Paris read: “In just under two years of existence, Soif d’Ailleurs has established itself as the undisputed specialist of foreign wines in France, with a demanding and constantly renewed selection. The team is searching the whole planet for forgotten grape varieties, distinctive wines, passionate winemakers. The selection is unforgiving; they know their bottles like the back of their hands.” At a cocktail reception following the awards, the team toasted the news with ‘Miolo’ sparkling wine from Brazil.

At the end of the 18th century, town planners in Paris created a labyrinth of hidden passages across Paris. Over the years many fell into disrepair or were demolished, but if you know where to look you can still push back a doorway and walk into a fabulous belle époque arcade, a glittering art nouveau galerie or an ancient courtyard. best wine to drink with fishHere are 10 worth tracking down.best wine served with turkey The Grand Cerf was restored to its former glory a few years ago and could be the most beautiful Parisian passage. best wine to have with turkeyBut it is off the usual tourist track, and rarely crowded, despite being home to a host of tempting shops. Florist Marie Stark gets up at the crack of dawn to choose flowers in the Rungis wholesale market, while Eric et Lydie are contemporary jewellery designers who were originally discovered by Christian Lacroix.

La Corbeille (lacorbeille.fr) stocks eye-catching homewares, and Pour Vos Beaux Yeux specialises in vintage eyewear. Le Pas Sage (the naughty boy) is a funky bar à vin, perfect for a post-shopping tipple.• 145 rue Saint-Denis, 1st arrondissement, metro Etienne Marcel Passage Brady is an unofficial Little India, lined with curry houses, spice shops and bazaars selling fabrics, incense and religious statues. Although there is a lively atmosphere, the food is bland – cooked for a predominantly French clientele – but prices are low. Check out Passage de Pondicherry, which serves tasty south India dishes such as masala dosas.• 43 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin, 10th, metro Chateau-d'Eau Here sumptuous architecture, delicate mosaics and grand statues have been wonderfully preserved, and the shops and restaurants are seriously chic and expensive. Jean-Paul Gaultier opened his first boutique here and it remains his flagship, and fashionistas will want to check out the cool designs of Didier Ludot in the fabric emporium Wolff & Descourtis.

) ) ) , 2nd, metro Bourse This passage was named after the Théâtre Molière, which presented many of the great French dramatist's plays. The theatre still exists, renamed La Maison de la Poésie. But for film buffs from around the world the draw here is the Librairie Scaramouche, where colourful owner Hugues Masson has a vast collection of rare cinema posters. And don't miss the minuscule atelier of Japanese shoemaker Tamano Nagashima (tamanoparis.over-blog.net), whose made-to-measure one-off creations are surprisingly well-priced at €250. The passage is a haven of peace compared with the nearby Les Halles shopping mall.• 161 rue Saint-Martin, 3rd, metro Rambuteau This is a functioning, industrial passage in the garment district, worth visiting for its distinctive architecture and glass roof. The labyrinth of covered alleyways is lined with ateliers churning out fashions. ) has opened a winebar opposite for all the clients who can never get a reservation.• 2 place du Caire, 2nd, metro Sentier

Hidden away off the trendy Faubourg Saint-Antoine are dozens of passages and courtyards with ancient ateliers that are now prime real estate. They are like rural villages in the heart of Paris. Cour du Bel Air is one of the most beautiful, with cobbles, trees, flowers and walls covered with ivy. Other passages worth visiting are L'Homme (26 rue de Charonne), and Passage du Chantier (66 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine).• 56 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 12th, metro Ledru-Rollin Always crowded and fun, this place gives a feeling for how the passages were in their mid 19th century heyday. ), ) ) specialises in antique walking sticks. At the end of the main passageway is Hotel Chopin (hotelchopin.fr), with rooms from €96, if you book in advance. Turn the corner by the hotel and the boutiques become more intellectual with cutting-edge photography exhibited in Photo Verdeau (verdeau.fr) and sumptuous art books in the Librairie du Passage.• 10 boulevard Montmartre, 9th, metro Richelieu-Drouot

Choiseul has not made it on to the Monument Historique list, so no public funds are available for its upkeep. That's why the signature glass ceiling is covered with ugly netting and leaks in heavy rain – but it has its charms. ), , 2nd, metro Quatre-Septembre This maze-like passage has numerous entrances and is full of surprises. There are half a dozen philatelists' shops but also several seriously hip wine bars: Les Racines specialises in trendy vins naturels, Coinstot Vino sells Italian vintages, and there's a relaxed lounge bar, Le Diable Verre (lediableverre.fr). ) – literally "fell off the back of a lorry" – has weird and wonderful collectibles, from freaky plastic dolls to kitsch postcards.• passagedespanoramas.fr, 2nd, metro Grands Boulevards The once-grand Prado still boasts unique art deco details but is in a seriously dilapidated state. Yet it has adapted to the times and still teems with locals from this cosmopolitan immigrant quartier drawn by the dozens of African and Asian hair salons.