Taillevent (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | André Vrinat |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | French cuisine |
| Owner | Gardinier family |
| Website | www |
Taillevent is a distinguished Parisian dining establishment established in 1946 by André Vrinat and is presently under the ownership of the Gardinier family.
Origin
The restaurant’s name pays tribute to Guillaume Tirel, also called Taillevent, a renowned 14th-century chef credited with writing the earliest French culinary manuscript, Le Viandier, which was commissioned by Charles V of France.
History
André Vrinat founded the restaurant in 1946 within the Worms family’s private dining room on Saint-Georges street, located in the 9th arrondissement, collaborating with chef Paul Cosnier. Taillevent was awarded its inaugural Michelin star in 1948. In 1950, it moved to the Duc de Morny mansion at 15 Lamennais Street in Paris’s 8th arrondissement.
Under the leadership of chef Lucien Leheu, Taillevent earned a second Michelin star in 1954. Jean-Claude Vrinat, son of the founder and an alumnus of HEC Paris, became part of the team in 1962. The restaurant reached the prestigious three Michelin stars in 1973 with chef Claude Deligne at the helm.
Among its notable pastry chefs was Philippe Feret, formerly associated with Brasserie Julien. Chef Philippe Legendre joined Taillevent in 1991. Since 1984, the establishment has been honored with the Wine Spectator Grand Award.
Diversification
In 1987, Taillevent expanded by inaugurating Les Caves Taillevent, a wine boutique originally situated at 199 Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris and managed by Valérine Vrinat; it subsequently relocated to number 228 on the same avenue.
The year 2001 saw the opening of L'Angle du Faubourg at 195 Faubourg Saint-Honoré, initially directed by Michel del Burgo and later overseen by head chef Alain Solivérès alongside pastry chef Alain Lecomte. This establishment was eventually renamed Les 110 de Taillevent.
Jean-Claude Vrinat introduced modern art elements into the restaurant's interior design in 2004. The following year marked Les Caves Taillevent’s international expansion with a new branch in Marunouchi, Tokyo. A third wine shop opened its doors inside Printemps Haussmann in Paris in 2006.
That same year, Jean-Claude Vrinat launched a blog dedicated to sharing gastronomic perspectives. In 2013, Les Caves de Taillevent entered the Middle Eastern market by establishing a location in Beirut’s Les Jardins de Tabaris.
Following Alain Lecomte’s departure, Arnaud Vodounou assumed the role of head pastry chef.
Troubles
On 21 February 2007, Jean-Claude Vrinat publicly announced via his blog that Taillevent had lost its third Michelin star, a development also covered by the International Herald Tribune. Vrinat died from lung cancer on 7 January 2008 at age 71.
List of chefs at Taillevent restaurant
- (2021–present) Giuliano Sperandio
- (2020–2021) Jocelyn Herland
- (2018–2020) David Bizet
- (2002–2018) Alain Solivérès
- (2001–2002) Michel del Burgo
- (1991–1999) Philippe Legendre
- (1970–1991) Claude Deligne
- (1950–1970) Lucien Leheu
- (1946–1950) Paul Cosnier
References
- Taillevent official website
- New York Times review of Taillevent
- "60 years birthday of Taillevent restaurant" review by l'Internaute (fr)
- Review of Taillevent by Intelligent Life