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After five years away from the New York City dining scene, Michelin-star-collector chef Joël Robuchon is back in business. His famed tasting counter L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, as well as a more casual counterpart called Le Bar de Joël Robuchon, open to the public for dinner today.
Robuchon — whose restaurants worldwide have 31 Michelin stars — and business partner Alex Gaudelet of Invest Hospitality took over the former Colicchio & Sons space in the Meatpacking District, at 85 10th Avenue between 15th and 16th streets. The idea behind the chain, which has ten locations globally, is that diners can experience fine dining food in a lively setting without white tablecloths.
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Like other locations of L’Atelier, this one will feature a nine-course tasting menu just under $300 including tip, plus the option to order a la carte. More than 30 seats at a counter overlook the kitchen as chefs prepare food, while several other tables surround it. Dishes here include a beef and foie gras burger, truffled langoustine ravioli, and Long Island duck with baby turnips.
But unlike most of the other outposts, this location has Le Bar — a 56-seat restaurant at the front of the space intended to be more casual and lower priced. It’s aimed at the nightlife crowd or for post-work cocktails. The menu includes options like a croque monsieur, roasted chicken, veal milanese, and beef filet with peppercorn sauce.
Robuchon is one of the most acclaimed chefs in the world, with more than 30 Michelin stars over the course of his career. The French chef hasn’t been in NYC since a Midtown outpost of L’Atelier closed in 2012, but he and his team have been on the hunt for a new space since then.
“New York is the capital of the world,” he has said. “It was very important for me to be in New York for that very reason.”
Both portions of the restaurant will be open starting tonight for seven days a week, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Check out more photos the space here, and make a reservation on the website here.
