Mory Sacko is already well known for his Michelin-starred Mosuke restaurant and his MoSugo fried chicken counters. Now, the chef is embarking on a new adventure with Lafayette's, a new address in the 8th arrondissement in the heart of the Marquis de La Fayette's former town house.
In association with the Moma Group, which is responsible for such fine addresses as Lapérouse, Mimosa, Andia and Manko, the restaurant, which most recently hosted Ran, is reviving its history. It was once the reception venue of Gilbert du Motier, the famous Marquis de La Fayette. This heritage venue, located at 8 rue d'Anjou, Paris 8e, has been redesigned by architect Lázaro Rosa-Violán.
The idea was to preserve the soul of the 19th century with a contemporary touch for a timeless gastronomic experience. Lafayette's is an invitation to discover neo-bourgeois French cuisine revisited with African and American influences. Indeed, the menu echoes the historic site and the story of La Fayette, who fought in the American War of Independence.
On arrival, you look around for the restaurant, which is located on the Hôtel Marquis level. Go past the porch and you'll find on your left the entrance steps, which, let's face it, are impressive and promise a great discovery. Enter through the warmly-colored bar area. You'll then discover 3 lounges in a row, each as sumptuously decorated as the next. For this new decor, interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán called on the expertise of Galerie Kraemer, which has specialized in 18th-century furniture and objets d'art since 1875.
You'll be charmed by the upholstered seating, the impressive and original lighting fixtures, the paintings, the woodwork and the period moldings. There's no doubt that this is one of the most beautiful and confidential restaurants in Paris.
It's a meeting place for businessmen during the day and for couples looking for discretion and a magical setting in the evening, because let's face it, the fork isn't for everyone.
Mory Sacko, already known for his cuisine that links France and Africa, offers dishes inspired by these cultures at Lafayette's. The menu includes dishes such as whole braised sea bass cooked in banana leaves, sweet potato curry with lime and basil, as well as reinvented French specialties such as Lafayette's"pâté en croûte" inspired by Yassa chicken. Enough to take your taste buds on a voyage of discovery.
"At Lafayette's, I'm delighted to be setting new cuisine to music, which is close to my heart, in this living space steeped in heritage and history. Conceived as a chic brasserie, the dishes I prepare within these walls bring together some of the signatures of French gastronomy with the African cuisines dear to my heart, and a nod to the American continent. Lafayette's is all about historic homes and travel cuisine," declares Mory in his menu.
So, forget Mosuke' s gourmet dishes, and discover the beautiful, well-presented plates of a chic brasserie. During our discovery, we chose to try the Salmon à la flamme, balsamic soy vinaigrette, bissap and okra and Yellowtail Carpaccio, spicy sauce and jalapeño pepper. If you like spicy, spice-rich dishes, this is the place for you. Personally, we loved waking up our taste buds, despite a little heat stroke.
In terms of dishes, we were more interested in the chef's French offerings with an African twist, rather than the Burger and the Mac and Cheese with truffles. We opted for the Cajun Salmon, grilled sucrine and Cajun spice sauce, and the Suprême de volaille jaune des Landes, mafé sauce, roasted carrots and broken rice. Despite the fact that the dishes were cooked a little more than usual, we were seduced by the delicious sauces, which were finished with Lalos bread.
To round things off, we indulged in the chou praliné and the surprising Tatin, not with apples, but with mango carpaccio infused with tonka bean, a departure from the usual while remaining traditional.
To match these dishes, a vast selection of French and international wines is on offer, preserved in an impressive vaulted cellar. Cocktails, reflecting the influences of Mory Sacko's cuisine, round off the experience perfectly.
Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday. It is closed for lunch on Saturdays and all day on Sundays. In short, Lafayette's with its historic setting and fusion cuisine is sure to tantalize the taste buds. If you like spices, cozy places and attentive service, you've come to the right place.
Dates and Opening Time
From December 4, 2023 to December 31, 2027
Location
Lafayette's restaurant
8 Rue d'Anjou
75008 Paris 8
Prices
Desserts: €16
Entrées: €22 - €26
Plats: €32 - €46
Official website
www.lafayettes-restaurant.com
More information
Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner. Closed Saturday for lunch and all day Sunday.