The Great Parisian Plate Debate

40, Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004
Tel. 01.48.04.30.69

Okawa is likely a bar which caters to the alternative lifestyle crowd. That, or the extremely tall transvestite exiting the bar when we walked up had just been asking the bartender directions to another such establishment. The Marais neighborhood, located in the 4eme, is famed for such bars (as well as Lenny Kravitz’s favorite falafel restaurant, L’As du Falafel) so it’s likely that our particular choice was, in fact, alternative – the first of the Great Parisian Plate Debate! Another milestone reached.

The bar itself was ok – besides the bar, there are a string low tables and stools along the window looking out to the street - but its location is the best part. Straight or not, the Marais has a myriad of restaurants, bars, shops, whatever to fit any lifestyle. The street on which Okawa sells its cocktails, Rue Vieille du Temple, is also the home of a particular chocolate shop which makes possibly the best, thickest cup of hot chocolate in the world; it’s literally as if they melt a slab of pure chocolate in a mug for each lucky customer. Sadly I cannot recall the name of this particular chocolate shop, but it’s worth searching for if you are ever in the area.