Parisian Restaurant (10243) - Final Thoughts

This set was a really great building experience. Not only was it very detailed but it was colorful and authentic. It would have been nice to have a few more mini figs (the artist and occupant of the second floor apartment, and perhaps a few more customers to fill up the restaurant).

As you can see, it's a very compact build. There is a lot going on in a fairly tight amount of space. The detail is superb - from the decorations on the roofs and windows, to the odd colored bricks on the chimney stack. The restaurant looks very tasteful and elegant with the awning and menuboard, and the roped off front terrace as well as the upstairs terrace complete with potted planters.

Here is a closer shot of the upstairs dining terrace. It really shows off the detailing of the chimney stack. Not only can you see where some of the plaster has been replaced after cracking and peeling off, you also see spots where it has worn through to expose the underlying brick and hasn't been repaired yet. It's a little odd for the entrance to the apartment to be through the dining area but maybe it's the chef who lives there, so he wouldn't need to disturb diners as he made his to and from work.

 

Naturally the detail on the back of the building is not as bold and colorful - but that's the norm for any building, even the ones in real life. Even so, it's decent - instead of a completed blank wall like some real world buildings, this one is pretty ornate. Of course, there are the garbage and recycling bins out back of the restaurant but the artist studio looks particularly good. The large skylight windows along with the colorful flower planters, and even the bright yellow and white awning over the entrance. Each of the back entrances even has a lamp by it so occupants don't go rolling down the stairs when coming or going at night.

All in all, this was definitely a fun build. Hopefully it's the first of many modulars - I am still trying to convince mom that it would be fun to build a city!