À la Vierge de la Réunion

It’s run by a French-Australian couple. She cooks at lunchtime, he cooks at dinner. They serve natural wines and the menu is very simple: three courses, €20 (HK$175). I like the crowd that goes there: they’re young, and it’s a very ‘neighbourhood’ place. The team is also very young and very friendly – I like that, because friendly isn’t something you can always find in Paris. People are always surprised to see me in a restaurant like that. But I don’t want them to treat me differently!

58 Rue de la Réunion, 75020 Paris

L’Assiette

This was once the favourite restaurant of former president Francois Mitterrand. Now there’s a new guard in charge, led by a very good chef from central France, David Rathgeber. At one point I was thinking about buying this restaurant myself, but it’s too small for me. So I suggested to David it would be great for him. He cooks traditional French cuisine, chic bistro food. And it’s got a really good crowd – people who definitely love food.

181 Rue du Château, 75014 Paris