The rooftop of the brand new Kimpton St Honoré, with panoramic views over Paris. ©Kimpton St Honoré
Between the first bookings at the Cheval Blanc hotel, perched above La Samaritaine, the arrival of Jean Imbert at the Plaza Athénée and that of Jean-François Piège at the Hôtel de la Marine, there is a lot going on in Paris. A detailed review of a very classy start to the year.
Due to the lack of tourists during the summer, the capital hummed along. Some hotels remained closed. Depending on the district, the terraces were more or less busy. And the introduction of the health pass did not help matters. Despite this somewhat gloomy context, a plethora of new luxury hotels and other gastronomic restaurants will open their doors this September. And this even if the Asian, Brazilian and American clientele remain absent. On 7 September, the Cheval Blanc hotel will welcome its first guests on the heights of La Samaritaine. On the menu: unobstructed views of the Seine, XXL suites, decor and settings designed by Peter Marino, Dior spa and, in the kitchen, the Michelin-starred Arnaud Donckele and pastry chef Maxime Frédéric. At the same time, the Kimpton group has just created its first French address in an Art Deco building on the Boulevard des Capucines. On the agenda: 149 rooms and suites, Californian cuisine, Codage spa and rooftop with a 360° view. Another establishment that will arouse curiosity: the Saint James. This “château-hotel”, somewhat hidden in the 16tharrondissement, has just been reinvented by interior designer Laura Gonzalez, with 50 rooms and suites, a library bar, a Guerlain spa and new gardens. On the left bank, the Seven has just reopened after a year of renovation. Flagship of the Elegancia group, it relies on its seven sensational suites with experiences linked to the Latin Quarter, where it is located, to attract a clientele sensitive to living spaces.
The top floor of La Samaritaine, sublimated by a sumptuous, listed glass roof and its many gastronomic restaurants. ©Harupimedia
A suite dedicated to music at the Hotel Seven, which has just reopened its doors after a year of renovation © Nicolas Anetson
Southern cuisine, wood-fired cooking and short circuits
There is no shortage of new restaurants either. Since September 1, the starred chef Jean-François Piège is at the helm of Mimosa, the table of the Hôtel de la Marine, a monument that has just been restored after a 4-year renovation. Here, the spirit of the Riviera is at the forefront, with dishes that evoke the South, its colours and its flavours. Also worth trying, for fans of wood-fired cooking, is the Braise restaurant and its bistro-style cuisine led by Erwan Ledru and Kevin de Porre. As for the chef Tom Meyer, he has created Granite, a table with vegetables “100% made in France”, and meat and fish from short and responsible circuits. Finally, we are waiting to see the tone and spirit that Jean Imbert will set, first at the Relais Plaza from 8 September, then this winter at the gastronomic table of the Plaza Athénée. Alain Ducasse’s replacement has had the whole summer to fine-tune his positioning. The first echoes point to a traditional cuisine, inspired by what he used to do at Mamie’s, where the sea bream was served in gratin and the veal chop with parmesan chard.
Jean Imbert, Alain Ducasse’s successor at the Plaza Athénée © boby – Le figaro
The Mimosa restaurant in the heart of Paris at the Musée de la Marine.© Foodandsens
Erwan Ledru and Kevin de Porre at the head of the restaurant Braise. © Contraste.paris
Soon a restaurant in a former metro station
Other places are also about to open in the capital. In November, the restaurant Gigi is expected to open in the Maison Blanche on Avenue Montaigne. In December, it will be the turn of Terminus: this space, installed in the former Croix-Rouge metro station, will bring together a restaurant, cocktail bar and gourmet hall. Finally, the Bulgari hotel should receive its first visitors by the end of the year. It will have 76 rooms, a 1,300 m2 spa, a 25 metre long swimming pool, as well as a restaurant, bar and garden. All of this is on avenue George V, just opposite the Four Seasons George V and Prince de Galles hotels.
Talent Developer’s gourmet tips :
Cheval Blanc : 8 quai du Louvre, Paris 1st
Kimpton St Honoré : 27-29 bd des Capucines, Paris 2nd
Saint James : 5 place du Chancelier Adenauer, Paris 16th
Mimosa : 2 place de la Concorde, Paris 8th
Braise : 19 rue d’Anjou, Paris 8th
Granite : 6 rue Bailleul, Paris 1st
Le Relais Plaza : 21 avenue Montaigne, Paris 8th
Article written by Anne Eveillard for Talent Developer