Ardi Concept Store

I can't begin to describe how wonderful this restaurant is, and how incredible the owner, Rania, is for creating a space for Palestinians and other Arabs in Paris to call a home away from home. I was in Paris for the first time for just a week and came back 3 separate times.

First of all, the food -- phenomenal. The first thing you'll see when you enter is a little kitchen. Not the cold, industrial type you often see in restaurants but a genuine home kitchen with an oven, stove and pots and pans you probably have in your own house. This, combined with Rania's family recipes, makes for the most authentic, just-like-mom's tasting food you'll find ANYWHERE in Paris. The fatteh was my absolute favorite.

If the restaurant is busy -- as it does get sometimes, being a popular go-to for local families and young Arabs -- then expect your food to take some time because Rania and her staff (occasionally joined by Rania's beautiful daughters) take extraordinary care and love in making each plate personally. If your mom needs time to whip up your favorite dish, so does the Ardi kitchen. You can eat knowing that your food wasn't just thrown into a deep fryer, but was cooked individually and meticulously.

Secondly, the restaurant is tres, tres cute! It's warm and homey and has a lot of Palestinian paraphernalia to look at and touch. There are tons of books in the restaurant that are fun to flip through even if you can't read or understand French. There are also Palestinian trinkets that Rania's family members have made, as well as cool prints from Middle Eastern artists and graphic designers. My favorite part of the restaurant is a nook in the back, with a wall of notable Palestinians to sit proudly under.

Thirdly, if you're JUST looking to make friends or find someone to talk to, Ardi is the place to be. Rania makes you feel like a celebrity and she's so welcoming and amiable that you never, ever want to leave. Her regulars are also extremely hospitable -- I've never been in a restaurant where another customer has offered to share their drinks with me. Everyone brings such good vibes.

Finally, while the location may be a little out of central Paris, it's worth the trek or drive. The restaurant is tucked into an up-and-coming neighborhood so it's exciting to see a part of the city that's unlike the rest.

I love this place. It was my favorite part of my Europe trip. I know with certainty that it's going to be big one day, so try to get your foot in the door while you can and get a bite to eat or a cup of tea with Rania.

Side note -- if you need a bike to rent or fix, there is chic bike store right next door owned by a very friendly Algerian named Adam. Next time I'm in town, I'll grab lunch and burn it off with a bike ride!