Paris, a city renowned for its sensory delights, offers more than just delicious food. The ambience of a restaurant, the aroma of the dishes, and the presentation itself all contribute to an unforgettable dining experience. In this city, many restaurants boast breathtaking interiors, but the most captivating ones are those that weave a tapestry of history into their gastronomic offerings, adding an extra layer of magic to your meal.
A Tale of Two Legends: Maxim’s and Laurent
Maxim’s, a name synonymous with Parisian grandeur, needs little introduction. Its Art Nouveau interior, a whimsical blend of floral lamps, stained-glass windows, and plush ruby and mahogany hues, transports you to another era. The restaurant’s illustrious history, filled with tales of iconic guests like Marcel Proust, Brigitte Bardot, and Mick Jagger, adds a touch of starry allure.
This 130-year-old institution has recently experienced a resurgence of coolness, thanks to a new management team that has revitalized its classic French menu. Indulge in the mouthwatering cheese soufflé and crêpe Suzette, while savoring the exotic ambience of the restaurant, not to mention the late-night bar where the magic continues.
Laurent, a salmon-pink Pompeian-style pavilion nestled within the picturesque Jardin des Champs-Élysées, has been a revival waiting to happen for years. Its privileged location and elegant architecture are further enhanced by its rich history. Originally a royal hunting lodge, it was transformed into a restaurant in 1842 by Jacques Ignace Hittorff, renowned for his work beautifying the Champs-Élysées. Under the name Le Café du Cirque, it became a popular destination for powerful business lunches and dinners thanks to its proximity to the Élysée Palace and several embassies.
Now under the expert guidance of Paris Society, Laurent has undergone a stunning transformation. Led by the talented artistic director Cordélia de Castellane, known for her work with Dior Maison, the restaurant showcases a captivating blend of black and white floor tiles, pastel walls, and dazzling chandeliers, creating a Belle Époque greenhouse atmosphere. The light and elegant menu features sensory delights such as crudités with soufflé aioli, sea scallops with truffle vinaigrette, and golden caviar mousseline brioche, all culminating in a dazzling dessert trolley, the perfect French finale.
From American Revolution to African Heritage: Lafayette’s
Lafayette’s, the most anticipated new restaurant of 2023, occupies the glamorous ground floor salons of an eighteenth-century townhouse that once belonged to the Marquis de Lafayette, a hero of the American Revolution. Chef Mory Sacko, a rising star from French Top Chef Season 11, has created a Gallic menu that pays homage to American cuisine, while also incorporating elements of his African heritage.
Experience a delicious fusion of flavors with dishes like corn chowder encased in puff pastry, fried chicken, sole meunière in champagne sauce, sweet potato curry, and a cheeseburger with Cajun-spiced fries. This melting pot of a menu reflects Lafayette’s love of travel and adventure, while the plush, candlelit interiors evoke the warmth and sociability of the Marquis’ final years.
La Tour d’Argent: Redefining Haute Cuisine
La Tour d’Argent, the most anticipated restaurant renovation of 2023, has been a symbol of haute cuisine for generations, attracting political figures, business magnates, and royalty. Its gastronomic legacy dates back to 1582, when the first restaurant was established on this site, inspired by the shimmering stones of the nearby Château de la Tournelle.
King Henri IV was among the restaurant’s earliest admirers. The current building dates back to 1830, and since then, the restaurant has hosted a diverse clientele from playboys to princes, courtesans to countesses. In 1911, the esteemed Terrail family took over, elevating La Tour d’Argent to multi-starred heights.
Under the leadership of André Terrail, the latest renovation has breathed new life into this iconic establishment. While the signature pressed duck dish and spectacular view of Notre-Dame remain, the sixth-floor dining room has been restyled with a streamlined elegance. For those seeking a less formal experience, the restaurant now boasts a zinc-adorned rooftop bar and a speakeasy-esque bar on the first floor.
A Timeworn Café: Procope and Lapérouse
Procope, one of Paris’s first cafés, established in 1686, has long been a celebrated restaurant that pays homage to the Age of Enlightenment. Its chandelier-lit dining rooms, lined with mirror walls and adorned with antique furniture and curiosities, create a timeless atmosphere.
With the opening of its Café-Glacier room, Procope returns to its original roots, a time when it was renowned for its iced drinks and the novelty of coffee. In this new Salon de Café, you can relax in a luxurious armchair and indulge in a selection of coffees, hot chocolates, ice creams, and pastries.
Lapérouse, a restaurant steeped in history, was originally a wineshop serving snacks in 1766. During the Belle Époque, it was reborn as a gastronomic sensation, known for its lavishly decorated private rooms, where libertines would entertain their mistresses. These private salons, with their patinaed wall paintings, crystal chandeliers, and scratched mirrors, whisper tales of a bygone era.
Lapérouse offers lavish dining rooms and a traditional French menu, similar to the one enjoyed by Julia Child who celebrated her fortieth birthday there. The ground-floor bar featured in the film Midnight in Paris, pays tribute to the multifaceted layers of Parisian cultural history, just like these timeless restaurants.
