Ledoyen, a taste of history

March 7, 2012

by Pierre

Have you ever dreamt of having an once-in-a-lifetime dinner in an historic place? Then the Ledoyen restaurant is the perfect place for you! With its neo-classic façade, its gardens and fountains, the restaurant was created in 1791 by Pierre-Michel Doyen just a few steps away from the Petit-Palais and the Champs Elysées. The restaurant offers a sumptuous view on the garden, far from the bustle of the the neighboring avenues.

Opened only two years after the French Revolution took place, the restaurant is one of the oldest in Paris. Revolutionary Marat or French Emperor Napoleon frequently had lunch there. The private mansion was renovated in 1842 by architect Jacques-Ignace Hittorff, who enhanced its elegance and refinement, and today the restaurant stands testimony to the Second Empire architectural style, immediately taking you back into history.

The restaurant is run by Chef Christian Le Squer, a discreet man clearly inspired by Brittany where he grew up by the sea. He logically developed a real fascination for seafood. After a quick internship in a bakery in Paris, he realized he was meant to be a cook. He went to a hotel school before developing his cooking skills in some of the most prestigious restaurants in Paris such as Le Divellec, Lucas Carton and the Ritz. He joined the 2 Michelin Star restaurant, Ledoyen, in 1999 and earned his third Michelin Star in 2002. True to his origins, he sublimates all kinds of fish and seafood. The highlights of the menu are:

-Langoustines from Brittany served in an olive oil and seeweed emulsion

– Roasted turbot served with potatoes and truffle

-Oysters served with a lemon and butter dressing