Coco Before Chanel & Paris

Très Chic vs. Très Cheap:

There are many ways to have an evening à la mode without heading across the Atlantic—tonight take your pick between ‘Très Chic’ (Upper East Side meets Coco Chanel) or ‘Très Cheap’ (Indie Film meets $4 crepes)…

Très Chic: Coco Before Chanel, starring Audrey Tautou. Opens tonight. The Paris Theatre.

Start the evening strolling up Madison Ave and peeking into the small vintage stores that dot the tree-lined cross-streets. You might be able to spot a Chanel or two. Après, meet your date of choice at Le Charlot on 69^th between Madison and Park for Moules Provençale and a bottle of crisp white wine. Catch a cab down to 58^th and Fifth, pick up your tickets at the Paris Theatre, and get ready for some subtitles… The night is young and if you’re up for a splurge post-cinema, head to the Oak Bar—the Plaza’s wood-paneled salon—for the $30 glass of champagne. Pretend you are a Parisienne merely visiting NYC for a bit of an escape.

Très Cheap: Paris starring Juliette Binoche. Opened 9.18.09. IFC Center.

Hop on the subway and land at the W 4^th St. stop—prime West Village locale. Walk southwest to Bedford St. and end up at Café Henri, sitting at the bar and having a carafe of house wine. Linger here until you realize you’re in need of a cheap eat and head to the hole-in-the-wall creperie ‘Crepe Café’ on MacDougal (between 3^rd and Bleecker). Ten bucks cash will you get the crêpe Sucre and the crêpe au chocolat with change to spare (or perhaps a second helping). Make your way to the IFC Center for Paris and settle into your seat—happy, fat, and full of buttered crepes.

DISCLAIMER: I’ve heard mixed reviews for Paris, so choose wisely. For better Binoche options, check out BAM’s film calendar here.

DISCLAIMER #2: As a New Yorker, it feels strange to use the words ‘cheap’ and ‘West Village’ anywhere near each other. But you get creative and find ways to make it work…

Images via Travel+Leisure and Keri Herer Photography