A favourite with the art and publishing world by day, and a funky bar and club by night, Paris’ Left-Bank institution in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, has just emerged from a makeover. Originally dressed by Sir Terrence Conran, the restaurant’s fresh new look is down to director Michel Besmond who called on local designer Laura Gonzalez for a total transformation. ‘Laura is a very Parisian designer. She captured the eclectic, feel-good atmosphere of the place and transcribed it with her genius for mixing luxury materials with flea-market finds,’ says Besmond.
Lush greenery and hanging plants from the mezzanine balcony, dominate the ground floor, where classic thonet chairs, marble table tops and mustard banquettes are bathed in swathes of light from the skylight above. Upstairs, parquet tabletops, woven stools and velvet armchairs are by Gonzalez, who extends the tropical vibe with her palette of khaki, ochre, fauve and bronze. Meanwhile, witty touches include alcove seats with phone chargers in the entryway, allowing diners to take calls discreetly during dinner.
The menu - illustrated by Pierre Le-Tan - proposes an upbeat take on bistro classics such as roast cod with clams, cockles and oyster leaf; slow-roasted shoulder of lamb in apricots, almonds and spices, and an excellent selection suitable for vegetarians.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
62 rue Mazarine
-
Rachel Whiteread creates silver collection for Puiforcat inspired by corrugated cardboardThe Turner Prize-winning artist reinterprets imperfection in a new silverware collection with French maison Puiforcat
-
Meet Malak Mattar, the Palestinian artist behind the 'Together for Palestine' concert at London's Wembley ArenaThe London-based artist curates a landmark concert of music and art in support of Gaza, alongside Brian Eno, James Blake, Jamie xx, Neneh Cherry and more
-
A new coffee table book proves that one designer’s trash is another’s treasureThe Rizzoli tome, launching today (16 September 2025), delves into the philosophy and process of Retrouvius, a design studio reclaiming salvaged materials in weird and wonderful ways
-
Les Domaines de Chabran redefines the Provençal summer houseArchitect Alain Meylan and interior designer Liliana Atilova bring contemporary finesse to centuries-old country houses in southern France. Discover their latest
-
At La Fondation hotel in Paris, minimalism has irresistible warmthOnce a parking lot, this 17th-arrondissement stay now offers rooftop city views, cocooning suites, and interiors by Roman and Williams
-
Sip in style at 30,000 feet with Air France’s new premier cocktail collectionThe airline partners with mixologist Matthias Giroud on three new signature cocktails for its La Première customers – here’s to a modern negroni, or a spicy non-alcoholic tipple
-
Discover Philippe Starck’s most surreal hotel yetAt Maison Heler Metz, brutalism meets bedtime story, with a 19th-century home perched on a concrete tower and a fictional host guiding the way
-
Locke unveils its most theatrical aparthotel yet in ParisDesign studio Fettle creates a layered and light-filled escape for the hospitality brand’s first Paris outpost, Le Jardin de Verre by Locke
-
The most stylish hotel takeovers to pop up at this summerFrom Capri to Ibiza, luxury fashion brands are taking over seaside resorts with exclusive boutique pop-ups and bespoke poolside accessories
-
Tour Eurostar’s sleek new lounges in Paris and BrusselsLondon-based Chris Bagot Architects has designed a stylish environment in which to work or unwind prior to high-speed rail travel
-
Taste a Louis Vuitton summer in sun-drenched Saint-TropezThe Arnaud Donckele & Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton restaurant returns to the White 1921 Saint-Tropez hotel for its third edition, now with a Michelin star
