Fashion Week

Fine dining be damned–it’s 2009, people. Luckily, Place Vendôme and its environs offer plenty of splendors for those Paris fashion-goers willing to venture beyond Le Bar 228. The sandwiches at Le Petit Vendôme (10 rue des Capucines) are one of those well-kept secrets that tempt all citizens equally. Arrive before 12:30 and snag one of the 6 or so seats at the bar–sandwiches are offered either there or to go; regular dining (”les plats“) is required at the smattering of tables–and amusez-vous bien. The speciale jean-mi gives you a flawless baguette with ham and your choice of cheese for the obscene price of 5.70 euro. That comes with a carafe d’eau and more butter than Bloomberg would legally allow. Watch as everyone from businessmen in chauffeured Mercedes to uniformed UPS men line up for today’s special–”saucisse d’auvergne,” which a supplier delivered on his moto moments before the lunch crowd hit. Chic has spotted enterprising InStylettes and Marie Claire editors here in seasons past, but given what we’re hearing out of Condé, perhaps Anna should try? It’s just around the corner from the Ritz, after all. Take a camembert to go and enjoy among the sunlight and tourists in Vendôme, love! “We’re a very small place,” a waitress told Chic while wrangling orders, “but we do this well. You’ll see.” Need we add that a glass of St. Pougrain starts at 1.80?