WORK • Friday Routine
ALEX TOLEDANO • founder • VISTO
Neighborhood you work in: 11th arr
Neighborhood you live in: 10th arr
It’s Friday morning. How are you rolling into the weekend?
Fridays at the VISTO office are usually busy as we try to tie up as many loose ends as possible before the weekend. We have many U.S.-based art curation projects, and since it’s still morning in New York when our day is ending, we’re often catching up with clients there before heading out.
On my way home I often stroll down rue Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth in the 3rd not far from our office at République, to pick up a few things for home, and browse galleries and shops. I usually start by checking out new shows at AFIKARIS, Galerie Prima, Backslash, or By Lara Sedbon, all of which consistently show compelling artists at approachable prices just a few blocks from the blue-chip galleries of the Marais. I also like to stop by Volume, a small bookstore devoted to urban design, architecture, and photography, and Superfly, my favorite record shop with an exceptional selection of African, jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop records.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Today I worked with our team on selecting art for two new luxury hotel projects in Italy as well as a restaurant in Hong Kong, while also figuring out how to quickly crate and ship a painting from Europe to a private office in New York. We then had to ensure it would be framed and installed in time for an important client event in 10 days, despite current delays at U.S. customs. These are the kinds of logistical challenges we encounter regularly — and what we pride ourselves on resolving smoothly for our clients.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I enjoy many different kinds of food, so it depends on the day and who I’m with. Near the office I might stop at Umami or Haikara Izakaya for a light Japanese lunch or settle in at Elmer for a longer work lunch. Over the weekend, I’m often in the 10th arrondissement and may head to my favorite Chinese restaurant, Les Trois Royaumes, which serves low-key yet wonderfully fragrant Sichuanese dishes, or to La Ferme, my neighborhood spot for couscous and a warm, convivial scene.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I coach my kids’ baseball teams, so weekends are often filled with practices and games in the Bois de Vincennes or farther out in the Paris suburbs. I also try to spend time in museums whenever possible. The Louvre is a mainstay, but I love smaller venues like the Musée Jacquemart-André for its Old Master shows and the Jeu de Paume and MEP for photography. I’m also a musician and make a point of seeing live music as often as I can, especially at intimate venues like New Morning, La Maroquinerie, La Bellevilloise, Le Duc des Lombard, Le Baiser Salé, and Sunset Sunside.
Any weekend getaways?
Although I did my Ph.D. on the history of Paris, I’ve gradually discovered a number of smaller cities within a few hours’ drive that I love to visit — Blois, Orléans, Rouen, Senlis, and Compiègne. Each has a rich history, remarkable architecture, and excellent food, making them perfect for a long weekend. In Blois, I’ve enjoyed going to Christophe Hay’s elevated Kiosque à Patisseries that’s connected to his two restaurants and hotel (Fleur de Loire) and, just down the road, the wonderful Cave des Affranchis, with the best selection of natural wines that I’ve found in the region, and the creative small restaurant next door, Brut.
What was your last great vacation?
We traveled to Tokyo this spring and, not surprisingly, ate very well. The most memorable meal was at Yakitori Obara, a tiny restaurant on the first floor of an office building in Shinbashi, where the chef prepared every part of the chicken to perfection. I also loved exploring the public art installed throughout the Roppongi Hills development, a project executed at the highest level.