Drouant

Founded in 1880, Drouant was originally a classic Parisian café. Today, the restaurant proudly stands among the must-see restaurants for French culinary arts. A meeting place for intellectuals, artists, travellers and epicureans, its daily life is a balance of culinary and literary references.

A bistronomic restaurant with a modern look

In Drouant’s kitchens, we find the chef, Romain Van Thienen. Having honed his skills with such renowned stars as Cyril Lignac, Yannick Alléno and Olivier Bellin, it is only natural that he should be at the helm of a restaurant such as Drouant. He lets his passion for game express itself while respecting the philosophy of the House: a cuisine that is both traditional and modern. On the menu, the choices reflect an assumed** and controlled bourgeois identity**: Drouant oysters, vol-au-vent, Colette salad, Saint-Pierre, tomato millefeuille… Are you the gourmet type? The giant Madeleine of Drouant is one of their classics not to be missed.

The dishes are as tasty as they are aesthetically pleasing, and the setting does not stand out. The 1930s Parisian restaurant decor completes the experience to delight the eyes as well as the taste buds.

An ode to people of letters

Though the first chapters of Drouant are above all culinary, its history was quickly linked to that of literature. On the first floor, the restaurant is organized into several salons: the library, the Proust, the Renaudot, the Colette and of course the Goncourt.

A historic meeting place, this salon has been home to the jurors of the Goncourt Prize since 1903. A real HQ, it is within the walls of the Drouant that the ten members meet every first Tuesday of the month for lunch. And it is from its Art Deco staircase that, each year, the winner of this prestigious prize is announced, amidst a crowd of journalists.

The restaurant has also taken the initiative to create a literary, artistic and philosophical circle, in the manner of modern London gentleman's clubs. Members, both male and female, are invited to participate in exclusive evenings with big names from the world of culture. The philosopher Gérard Lemarié acts as host for these intimate experiences.

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