Paris: Restaurant – Le Ralph’s. In the former stables of the seventeenth
century hotel particulier that houses the Ralph Lauren flagship store on the
Boulevard Saint Germain is Le Ralph's restaurant. It is fabulous and it’s all the
rage, so book a table at least a week in advance, otherwise you might be
disappointed. The dinning experience and the place itself is worth a visit; it
evokes the world of elegance of men’s clubs, of horses and dogs, the Hamptons
and luxury.
Above: a detail of the bar area.
Le Ralph’s. A small intimate table
by the window of the bar area. In the
courtyard the outdoor tables must be wonderful in the spring and summertime for
dinning al fresco.
Note: The crisp tablecloths the high back leather chairs and the pretty red
roses scattered all over the restaurant.
Le Ralph’s. The "old school" American menu offers the freshest and best
ingredients, as you can see from this Caesar salad. Also on the menu New England clam chowder, Maine lobster, Maryland crab
cakes, shrimp cocktail, fried chicken, meat loaf, steaks, turkey, veggie and
tuna burgers, and of course the all American cheeseburger.
Le Ralph’s. One of the elegant table
settings. I loved the mix of leopard and tartan cushions
on the banquettes.
Le Ralph’s. Chef Stephane D’Aboville
from Le Bristol spent a week in New York learning from Danny Meyers of Union Square Hospitality Group, how to cook a hamburger and other American specialties. The burgers and steaks are made with Angus
beef from the cattle on Ralph Lauren’s ranch in Colorado.
Note: The avocado slices, an unusual accompaniment to the classic hamburger,
as is the way of serving, the not very good and a bit soggy French fries in a
silver-plated mint julep glass.
Le Ralph’s. Stripes and
stripes. The elegant and handsome young waiters
wear crisp striped blue and white cotton shirts, pinstriped trousers and long white
cotton aprons and were trained in New York.
Le Ralph’s. The desserts are served
on these pretty blue and white flower plates.
The cheesecake was good and very appealing to the eye.
Le Ralph’s. Espresso is served not
with petit fours but with the surprise of yummy and irresistible caramel
popcorn in a silver bowl.
Le Ralph’s. The main dinning room is
centered around a gigantic fireplace. On
collecting the Legion d’Honneur medal from president Sarkozy, Ralph Lauren said,
“I’m in love with Paris — everywhere you look my heart is high, and when I go
into the store it feels so good. I was a little intimidated by Paris. I didn’t
speak the language. But now I have three stores, it feels like I’m living here
— I am much more at ease and comfortable.”