New Yorkers can now buy Louis Vuitton monogrammed goods and eat them, too.
The luxury fashion house will open on Friday its very first restaurant in the United States. Le Café Louis Vuitton will be located on the fourth floor of the brand’s location at 6 East 57th Street in New York City, in a library-esque space. For the opening, Louis Vuitton has partnered with the restaurateur Stephen Starr and his Starr Restaurants group, which oversees almost 40 properties in the U.S.
Monogram flower ravioli
Sarah Flotard
Helming the kitchen will be the executive chef Christophe Bellanca, who has received a Michelin star for his French restaurant Essential by Christophe. He’s joined by the executive pastry chef Mary George, who comes from Daniel Boulud’s Daniel. The two worked with Starr and the chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric (who oversee Louis Vuitton’s St. Tropez restaurant) to develop the menu.
“By offering an approachable yet luxurious experience, we aim to resonate with New Yorkers and visitors alike,” Bellanca said in a statement. “The combination of gourmet dishes and warm hospitality ensures that our café stands out in this ever-evolving food landscape.”
Several Louis Vuitton signatures grace the menu: There’s a crisp monogram waffle, topped with either caviar and crème fraîche or tzatziki. That same monogram is found on flower ravioli with spinach, fontina, taleggio, and black truffle. You can chow down on the aptly named crab “Louis” salad or Le Croque “Louis Paris,” featuring white ham, Comté, and more black truffle. Larger dishes include black bass with clam bouillon, scallop soufflé with golden Ossetra caviar and Champagne beurre blanc, and the brand’s take on a hamburger—Le Burger “1898,” with dry-aged beef, Vermont cheddar, and all the fixings.
Barlett pear tart
Sarah Flotard
George, meanwhile, has whipped up three different entremets for dessert: vanilla (with caramelized milk jam and almond croustillants), hazelnut (with praline and sea salt), and chocolate (with 70 percent chocolate cremeux and chocolate ganache). “My goal is to create an unforgettable experience where every dessert becomes a personal memory for each guest,” she said in a statement. “I imagine our café as a place where clients find joy and connection through our menu and leave with a unique and lasting impression.” There’s also a caramelized pear tart with roasted polenta and a soft-serve sundae with grapes, sunflower praline, and caramelized brioche.
When you need a break from all your shopping, there are few options chicer than Le Café Louis Vuitton.
Click here to see all the images of Le Café Louis Vuitton.
