Hélène et Madeleine — Restaurant in Paris

Taste: 5 Appearance: 4 Value: 3 Service: 5 Overall: 4.25 rounded down to 4

Hi and welcome to today's episode of javing it with Javier. Today I'll be trying the lemon vanilla cheesecake.

The cheesecake looks very average, but don't let that deter you from the amazing taste. I was surprised at how smooth and full of flavour it was as it melted in my mouth. The crust was harder on some areas but this is very minor in comparison to the rest of the cake.

In terms of price, this costed 5 euro and I would classify this as on the pricier end of cheesecakes. I would try it again though as the price doesn't really compare to the quality here.

The service here was superb. The employees were very friendly and helpful and worked fast as well. All around impressed.

Generally I am very pleased with this cheesecake. The flavour was great and I would definitely get this again. That's it for today's episode of javing it with Javier. And remember...

Location: Somewhere in the Marais. Not exactly on the beaten path so I'm guessing it's frequented by locals more than tourists.

The place: I love it. They've got a table or two at the front of the shop, but the back room is where the magic is. It's like walking into someone's living room - there are a few communal tables and a wall lined with bookshelves - so if you forget the paper or your book, just get one off the shelf. The vibe is super cozy and relaxed.

The goods: I had a latté - it was delicious and creamy. Also, a ham and cornichon sandwich that was awesome. The bread was SO fresh, and the jam was oh so tasty. Very satisfying. I got there before lunch and they were nice enough to make me the sandwich anyway. Good, 'cause I was borderline hangry!

Service: OK. One lady was friendly and the other was a bit of a sourpuss.

Price point: 10€ for a huge latté and a huge sandwich...

Absolutely adorable place tucked onto a side street off the Boulevard Beaumarchais; easily accessible via Metro Line 8 (Saint-Sébastian/Froissart).

Ample indoor seating with quite possibly the friendliest barista I've ever had in Paris. When I sheepishly inquired about working on my laptop (it was the weekend), she said it was no problem and gave me the wifi code. My French is truly terrible and she delivered my order with a genuine smile, which I really appreciated.

The filter coffee is well-brewed and reasonably priced; the overall ambiance is warm and inviting. The only downside is the €8 minimum for CB. That's okay, though--I got a tea and two cookies to go, and it was worth the extra money I spent to meet the minimum!

Will definitely be going back (hopefully for brunch this time), but will also be telling my friends about it as a good...