The luxurious Shangri-La Paris -- in the former mansion of a great-nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, no less -- is the object of considerable interest, particularly among food lovers: The restaurant is absolutely superb.

The bistro scene in Paris just keeps getting better, with a flurry of exciting new openings, many with impressively pedigreed young chefs.

In the mind of the maitre d', I wasn't just a disheveled backpacker and a stereotypical American tourist, which was bad enough. On top of that, I was a full-on Diane Keaton groupie, a Jack Nicholson stalker!

Want to learn how to bake real French bread? The Parisian ladies at Succulent Paris can take you to their neighborhood baker who closes down on Wednesdays to teach others his craft.

Some of my French friends turn up their noses, but I order the same thing every time: Leeks vinaigrette, green salad with walnuts, steak tartare, frites and lots of red wine.

As important as my kitchen experiences have been, perhaps just as important are the memories that I have collected, dining my way through great culinary cities like Paris. These memories and travels inspire everything in my life, from the way I think to the ingredients I use to the restaurant concepts I envision.

I adore Paris for the sophisticated and edgy style of the Parisians, the boutique shopping and of course, the buttery-rich French cuisine.

I believe that Paris has the most luxurious hotels, restaurants, shops and homes anywhere. I am going to take you on a journey to some of the most lavish and fabulous hotels, restaurants, shops and homes.

While summer is a popular time to visit Paris, many of the most noteworthy and popular restaurants tend to close for all or part of August. This can be quite a challenge if you're hoping to sample delicious bistro food or haute cuisine.