I first discovered Jessie Kanelos Weiner a few years ago during a trip to Paris when a stunning watercolor of a croissant appeared on my Instagram feed. I soon learned that Weiner is an American illustrator (you’ve probably seen her work in Vogue or The New Yorker), brilliant food stylist, bestselling author, and stand-up comedian (!). Her work is often inspired by the beautifully delicious pastries, markets, and scenes from Paris—as well as the grimmer realities of the city, like unescapable pigeons and the expat experience of living in the City of Lights as American.
If you haven’t yet gotten lost in Paris in Stride: An Insider’s Walking Guide, co-authored by Weiner and Sarah Moroz, you’re in for a treat. It’s filled with dreamy watercolor maps and artist musings that perfectly capture the city’s magic. Weiner’s new book, Thinking in Watercolor: A Daily Practice to Unlock Your Creativity & Discover Your Inner Artist, reflects her passion for making art accessible and joyful.
As she writes in her Substack, she created this book for the younger version of herself who was longing to find her voice. “Little did I know that my primary resource, the contradictory new country I moved to, was indeed where I needed to begin,” she says. “My new book is all about embracing the present moment at hand, living more artfully and trusting the creative process.”
Naturally, I asked Weiner to dream up a mini-guide for Forbes on some of her favorite places to eat and drink that have inspired her work—accompanied by a few of her gorgeous watercolor. Check out her picks here:
Favorite Paris Markets
I love following the changing seasons by shopping at my local outdoor market. It’s a delight to the senses and one of the sweetest aspects of my social life, bumping into the many artisans I have been frequenting for years now. Don’t expect that on a first trip; these relationships take years in the making. Beware that not all vendors sell local goods. Look for the words producteur or maraîcher to know they are selling the good stuff. A few favorite markets include Bastille and Porte de Vincennes. I recommend taking a quick lap around the market to compare and contrast the prices and spot out what looks good before buying.
Tonton Banh Mi Sandwicherie Vietnamienne
I’m always on the lookout for cheap eats when I’m on my way to pick up supplies at my favorite art stores, my favorites being Passage Clouté and Le Géant de Beaux Arts. I frequent this tiny hole-in-the-wall bánh mì shop where tonton (or uncle) himself is a one-man band of Vietnamese sandwich making. I usually order the vegetarian bánh mì which layers peanut butter with lots of crispy pickled vegetables. I eat it in a very un-Parisian manner while walking back to the Metro.
La Boutique Jaune de Sacha Finkelsztajn
If I’m walking through Le Marais, I can’t help but grab a few items to-go from the Ashkenazi institution La Boutique Jaune de Sacha Finkelsztajn. My husband’s family has been stocking up on Jewish delicatessen here for decades and I’ve been adamant about passing this down to our son. Since nothing gets in the way of tradition, I’ve been instructed with the same order: pickle, tarama, caviar aubergine, a couple poppy seed bagels, killer apple strudel, and cheesecake.
L’Amitié
My new favorite restaurant and natural wine cave, L’Amitié, is just around the corner from my studio in Montreuil, declared by some as the Brooklyn of Paris for its high concentration of artist studios and creative people. Recently opened by American chef Kailey Hoyle (Mokonuts, Le Dauphin, Septime), Hoyle turns out generous food with impeccable ingredients for the artistic neighborhood crowd. It got the French husband’s vote of approval.
Kubri
As much as I love French food, I’m always on the lookout for more exciting options for a rare lunch date. Kubri has been circulating on all my feeds and everything on the nouveau-Lebanese menu was equal parts delicious and surprising. I recall a succulent stuffed chicken leg with spiced rice and an iced halva studded with whole pistachios and a warm chocolate sauce.
Boneshaker Paris
As much as I love a croissant, there’s nothing like revisiting the treat of my American youth, the doughnut. Owned and operated by my friend Amanda Bankert, she turns out vegan treats with American twists with flavors like the fluffernutter.