Le Dokhan's Champagne Bar, Paris - Something Special

Champagne bars can often be intimidating places - especially those in London or Paris. Sleek, upmarket and sexy, they attract the rich, famous and glamorous - those that want to be seen but not so much the aficionados.

One exception that sits apart from the rest is the champagne bar at Le Dokhan's in Paris' Trocadero district in the 16th Arrondissement - which also happens to be Paris' first champagne bar. Sitting quietly and unassumingly off the lobby at Le Dokhan's hotel, it's gorgeously decorated in an 18th century Baroque style with wood paneling, gold highlights, chandeliers and antique mirrors. Cosy and intimate, it's easy to be lured by its charm late into the evening.

Bubbledogs, London - A New Way To Appreciate Champagne

When most people think of pairing champagne with food it's usually something like cheese, oysters, or caviar. So it's not surprising that when you put it alongside hot dogs, you get a polarised audience.

Such has been the case for newly opened Bubbledogs - the latest concept restaurant in London - where the unlikely coupling of grower champagne and gourmet hot dogs is celebrated by the trendy,  foodies and champagne lovers alike.

When the concept was launched in August 2012, my Twitter account went into overdrive. Swept up with the catchy name 'Bubbledogs', people were intrigued and divided. Can champagne really be matched with hot dogs? Well in my opinion, yes it can. Whilst unlikely bedfellows, champagne and hot dogs actually go pretty well together. At least that was my experience when I tracked down the newly opened restaurant during my recent trip to London.

Champagne + Fromage in Covent Garden, London - A New Concept Of 'Champagne Plus'

It was a touch past 1pm, raining, cold and windy. My belly rumbled and my body screamed for warmth and comfort. As my husband and I splashed through the puddle-lined streets of Covent Garden in London, we were in search of only one thing - a little place called Champagne + Fromage.

Champagne + Fromage had been on my radar of places to visit in London since it was launched around six months ago. Specialising in small production grower-producer champagnes paired with French fare, its 'champagne plus' concept is simple yet brilliant - a match made in heaven.

As we burst through their parisienne-themed doors, we were embraced by the charming interior of a café, come deli, come enoteca. Decked out with an eclectic mix of rustic timber furniture, blackboards displaying menus and walls lined with champagne and jars of French truffles, rillettes, jams, and confits, it was unpretentious and honest - a place purely focused on its food and drink.