The winner of the Elite Traveler Lifetime Achievement award for 2017, French chef Joël Robuchon has expanded his culinary empire once again. With 31 Michelin stars to his name already, Robuchon is taking his lauded French cuisine to New York City for the latest L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon venture. The new restaurant will begin accepting reservations for its chic Meatpacking District location on November 1, marking the 12th outpost of L’Atelier worldwide.
As the second US restaurant for Robuchon, the location upholds the fine dining standard set by the existing L’Atelier sites while also embodying a New York ambience. The New York space was designed by French architect Pierre-Yves Rochon and encompasses two distinct dining experiences within the brick- and steel-accented restaurant, as well as two private dining rooms for 10 people. The focal point of the restaurant is a 34-seat counter from which guests can look into the open kitchen for a view of the skilled chefs in action, staying true to the ‘workshop’ translation of the name L’Atelier.
L’Atelier will serve the Modern French cuisine pioneered by Robuchon himself, with chef Christophe Bellanca leading the kitchen team. Guests will have a choice of two nine-course tasting menus (Le Menu Decouverte de Saison and Le Menu Végétarien) designed by Robuchon, or à la carte tapas-size plates. Signature dishes range from Imperial caviar and king crab to truffled langoustine ravioli to local Long Island spiced duck. All breads and pastries will be baked in-house by head baker Tetsuya Yamaguchi and executive pastry chef Salvatore Martone, featuring five different types of fresh breads and an array of indulgent desserts such as cherry mousse with chocolate cream. Guests will have the option to pair meals with rare and exclusive bottles from the restaurant’s expansive wine list, curated to complement Robuchon’s iconic cuisine.
At the front of L’Atelier, Le Bar will offer an elegant cocktail experience with a separate, simpler à la carte dinner menu. Dishes will include croque monsieur and grilled dover sole, but the real draw is set to be Le Bar’s exciting champagne tasting menu featuring Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, Rosé and La Grande Dame among an extensive list. The cocktail program will put a French twist on classics, combining French spirits with local ingredients for guests to enjoy at the stylish granite bar.
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon is located at 85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011. For more information, please visit joel-robuchon.com.
Image Credit: John Philp Thompson