Updated July 7th, 2022
We unfortunately didn’t bump into New Zealander Drew Harre or American Juan Sanchez at this summer’s “layover“ at Freddy’s (Left Bank, Rue de Seine, Paris). I first met the business partners for what is now the better part of a decade ago. Neither is French, but they make Freddy’s, along with several other establishments on Rue de Seine, “must hit” establishments in Paris. Freddy’s is a perfect gathering spot between meals, offering small plates along with its excellent wine menu.
Freddy’s is named after Drew’s grandfather, who called everyone whose name he couldn’t remember “Freddy.” Should you be fortunate enough to run in to either at their congenial bar-stools-only spot, tell them we were sorry to have missed them.
Originally posted September 22, 2017.
Greetings from Paris. Yesterday I quietly fled a museum tour Debbie and I were on with a quick text to Deb, “Meet me at Freddy’s.” Located in the 6th, Freddy’s is one of four restaurants owned by Juan Sanchez and his partner Drew Harré. We are frequent visitors to each of the four, and last fall, at Semilla, we ran into one of our all-time Paris favorites, Patricia Wells, also a good friend of Juan’s.
Patricia, who has cooking schools in Paris and Provence, has an indispensable app for anyone visiting Paris. The app covers not only Patricia’s favorite restaurants and cafes, but also cheese and wine shops, wine bars, bakeries, specialty food stores and even kitchen and tableware boutiques. Debbie and I would be lost without The New Food Lover’s Guide to Paris. Patricia was a restaurant critic for the International Herald Tribune, which perhaps explains why, as one reviewer noted, her detailed descriptions read like a novel. The app includes a map, search bar, glossary and Patricia’s top picks. It’s like having Patricia by your side as you discover Paree.
Juan conducts top-notch wine classes at his tiny cave, La Derniere Goutte. With assistance from Patti, who runs the shop for Juan, we usually trudge off with several half cases of grower Champaigns or Bruno Clair Burgundies, each case airline-compliant wrapped and delivered to our hotel before our departure. It’s a highlight visiting La Derniere Goutte, 6 rue Bourbon Le Chateau, 75006 Paris. (FYI: the last one or two digits of a Paris zip indicate the arrondissement.)
More about Freddy’s en français here.
If you’re willing to fight for Main Street America, click here to sign up for my free weekly email.
