“Quintessential” is an overused word, especially in a city like Paris. Can there really be a hundred quintessential French bistros that make you feel like you’re living in Meryl Streep’s portion of Julie & Julia? No, there can’t be, but I’m going to add one more to the list. Aux Crus de Bourgogne is a charming bistro in the heart of the second arrondissement, about a ten-minute walk from the Bourse de Commerce and the Palais Royale. The interiors are warm and inviting, the crowd is a mix of local Parisians and tourists, and the steak au poivre is spectacular. —Michael Pescuma

Michael Pescuma is the Advertising Director at AIR MAIL