CAFE IN REVIEW: Ralph’s (At Ralph Lauren)
by Fiona McMurrey
Courtesy of Fiona McMurrey.
DO WE LIKE THE LOCATION?
The café itself is surprisingly cozy provided its location on the edge of one of the most prominent boulevards in Paris, with jazz proliferating at an appreciable volume around the room, and the furniture mimicking that of an old English country house or a private North Eastern estate that hasn’t quite left the mid-20th or late 19th centuries behind. I found it an ideal place to read and get a bit of writing done as the furnishings were seducingly comfortable and I felt invited to linger at my leisure.
THE CROWD - YAY OR NAY?
Inevitably, the crowd was a mix of tourists and curious locals, the atmosphere was relaxed and there was an agglomeration of mostly French and English petering out through the rarified air.
WHAT TO DRINK?
To appreciate the full flavors of the coffee opt for Ralph’s Espresso or the Americano (when in Rome some might say) but if you prefer a sweeter taste, you can’t go wrong with a cappuccino.
WHAT TO EAT?
They offer a variety of different American desserts and classic French viennoiseries, though if you want a full meal simply go next door to the Ralph Lauren restaurant which offers a Franco-American mélange of burgers and filet mignon among others.
WHAT’S THE OCCASION?
Despite the ostensible pomp and circumstance one might associate with the brand Ralph Lauren, the coffee shop is amenable to a coffee break or a relaxing morning, tucked into the hunter green velvet banquette among the tartan pillows with a good book. In the Summer, it will be a great spot to people watch and glean fashion inspiration from incredibly chic passersby as well as look out for French celebrities some of whom live in the area, including the iconic Catherine Deneuve and Sandrine Kiberlaine.
THE VERDICT?
Although slightly pricier than some of its counterparts such as the independent coffee chain Noir or my personal favorite, Partisan, the coffee itself is worth the extra expense considering its rich flavor and is comparable to other, usually excessively crowded, options in the area such as Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots which located on the opposite side of the street. I will certainly be frequenting this cafe while reading for my dissertation, or anytime I need a pick-me-up.
ADDRESS:
173 Boulevard Saint-Germain,
75006, Paris