I am an expat living in Paris. I moved here from New York two years ago and see no end in sight. My boyfriend is here, my friends are here, and my gorgeous apartment overlooking the Seine is here- and rent-controlled.

All in all, I like living in Paris, but there are still things I miss about New York. The cross-dressing diva who struts around in couture in Greenwich village as if the entire neighbourhood is his/her catwalk; opening night in Chelsea where you can gallery-hop and get free drinks on any given Thursday, and, of course, Sunday brunch.

Every Sunday, I would pick up a Sunday Times, grab a coffee to go and meet my friends for brunch. We would debate the front page, dissect the style section, lament over the real estate section and, of course, tortuously mock the wedding announcements. Even thinking about it makes me all nostalgic. However, although I’ve had to make do without the Sunday Times, I have managed to find the best of New York City right here in Paris (minus the cross-dressing diva, naturally).

Brunch is catching on across the pond. More and more brunch spots are popping up in Paris and snagging a table at peak hours is becoming increasingly difficult. Here are a couple of my pics of the month:

L’apparement Café:

69, Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris, Tel 01 42 74 57 81
If you have ever wanted to play Scrabble whilst eating lox, this is the place to be. I love it; its one of my favourite new finds to date. Very hip (but unpretentious) and cozy place in the Marais, with couches, cushy chairs, and heavy wooden tales… and board games! Monopoly, Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit are all readily available. This place is made to make you feel right at home and for 20 euro for 3 courses, I did.

404 (aka Quartre-cent-quatre):

18 Rue des Coutures Saint-Gervais, 75003 Paris, Tel 01 48 87 12 22
Hands down most delicious brunch I have had in Paris, if not ever. Same owners as the Andy Waloo bar and the higher-end eatery Derrier. 404 serves up Moroccan-fusion cuisine that is so much fun to eat. Just writing this, I am  craving the creamy couscous with honey and fruit.  There is a brunch menu that serves three courses and beverages for 35 euro flat. Reservations are hard to come by so I would plan ahead and call on Friday for Sunday brunch seats.

Grab a Le Monde and embrace brunch where a cocktail is acceptable before 5pm, sans judgment!

Leah Cruz is an American lawyer and writer living in Paris. She contributes political and cultural blogs to Via Her.