In London this weekend I managed to find a little slice of heaven in the hell that is Saturday afternoon shopping in Covent Garden. I was meeting my best London girl to seek out a specific dress at a particular shop so we were forced to brave the hoards of tourists and die-hard weekend shoppers. Our afternoon out led us to wander around Covent Garden market after lunch and we stopped off at Brasserie Blanc, the chain of French brasseries from chef Raymond Blanc, for fortifying crêpes and wine.  

Chez Janou is a restaurant in central Paris which could easily fall into the category of 'tourist trap' but somehow doesn't. It has all the makings of a slightly gimmicky, tourist-friendly spot. The location, for one, makes it easy to find and equally easy to stumble upon. In the 3rd arrondissement, the tiny street-corner restaurant sits a mere stone's throw from the famous Place de Vosges and its historic surroundings, including the Victor Hugo museum. Previous visitors to this area, which is of course exquisitely beautiful and a must-see for tourists, will know that bordering the place are galleries, shops and restaurants, all with top-notch views from the ancient cloisters to the garden and fountains (and price tags to match). Chez Janou, although only one street away on rue Roger Verlomme, effortlessly escapes the faux glamour and inflated prices of its neighbours around the corner and offers a quaint bar, terrace and restaurant serving good quality French and Provençal cuisine and an impressive Pastis menu.