Baumé (restaurant)

Baumé

Company type	Private
Industry	Restaurant
Founded	2010
Founder	Bruno Chemel
Defunct	2023-08-12
Headquarters	Palo Alto , United States
Products	French cuisine

Baumé was a French restaurant located in Palo Alto, California, established in 2010 by chef Bruno Chemel. It maintained a two-star rating from the Michelin Guide until 2021. Originally accommodating 28 guests, the venue later downsized to just eight tables by the mid-2010s, operated solely by Chemel, his wife Christie, and their son Antoine. In 2021, Chemel asked Michelin to remove Baumé's stars, and in 2022, he transformed it into a more informal dining concept called Bistronomie by Baumé. The establishment ceased operations permanently in August 2023.

History

Before founding Baumé, Chemel served as head chef at the Michelin two-starred Chez TJ in Mountain View, departing after the restaurant earned its stars in 2009. He launched Baumé nearby in 2010 with an initial seating capacity of 22, which increased to 28 before scaling back both seating and staffing by the mid-2010s. By 2021, the restaurant was run with only Chemel and his wife managing eight tables on four nights per week, assisted by their son in the kitchen.

Baumé received its inaugural Michelin star during its debut year and achieved a second star in 2011, retaining both until 2021 when it lost them. Although Chemel aimed for a third star around 2017, he ultimately requested removal from the Michelin Guide in 2021, explaining that the restaurant's intimate atmosphere did not align with Michelin’s criteria.

In February 2022, Chemel declared that Baumé would close and reopen as Bistronomie by Baumé on March 8. This new concept featured a more affordable menu within a casual environment while still delivering high-quality cuisine. Bistronomie by Baumé permanently shut down on August 12, 2023.

Menu

Baumé focused on French gastronomy, described locally as "French Cuisine Moderne with a Zen Touch." Chemel’s culinary education included macrobiotic techniques learned in Japan. Initially recognized for its molecular gastronomy approach, the restaurant took its name from chemist Antoine Baumé, who developed the Baumé scale. By 2015, the emphasis on molecular methods had diminished. As of 2021, Baumé presented a tasting menu featuring pescatarian options alongside Wagyu beef, complemented by mandatory wine pairings. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant adapted by introducing a four-course takeout menu.

See also

• List of French restaurants
• List of Michelin starred restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

External links

• Official website (archived)
• Baumé restaurant (archived)