Plénitude

Paris

Guests become actors in the drama of the evening at this stunning restaurant tucked inside a luxury Parisian hotel

Located on the first floor of the exclusive Cheval Blanc hotel on the banks of the River Seine, Plénitude exudes sophistication, luxury and romance. And yet its hospitality style is notable for being distinctly down to earth.

The restaurant is led by chef-patron Arnaud Donckele and director Alexandre Larvoir, and the Plénitude philosophy of prioritising people over formality, and placing sincerity above ‘performance’, is a direct reflection of the duo’s own personability.

Donckele is one of France’s most exciting chefs, earning the restaurant its three-Michelin-star status just seven months after its 2021 opening, and then landing it on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023 for the first time. He is also a genuine and gentle soul, who believes in the beauty within people, and insists that his food is greatly enhanced by the emotion with which it is served.

Above all, Donckele is a passionate advocate of the power of sauces – the liquid elixirs that not only elevate but define his cooking. On the face of it, each dish at Plénitude is enhanced by a sauce, but in reality each sauce comes with a dish. They are accompanied by detailed written descriptions of the individual bouillons, sabayons, consommés and vinaigrettes and their myriad ingredients.

The overall dining experience is certainly dynamic: guests begin their journey in the cellar, prior to being seated in the cocoon-like, two-tier restaurant with views over the famous Pont Neuf. At some point in the dinner, they are invited into the kitchen for a special course served by the chef and his culinary team. Later, diners will be ushered into a secret cheese cave off the main space, where they will select vintage plateware on which their fromage selection will be placed.

Over four- or seven-course menus, the front-of-house team focuses on ensuring that all 30 or so guests relax into their evening, rather than feeling they are on their best behaviour. In the same vein, Larvoir encourages the sommeliers and waiting staff to bring their respective individuality to the occasion, and yet the service is as precise and detail oriented as one might expect at such an haute Parisian spot.

Plénitude presents a sublime gastronomic experience while never losing sight of the human element. Its ability to strike this delicate balance has earned it the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2024.

Now read the article and step into Plenitude with this video:

The Art of Hospitality Award is a special recognition for excellence in restaurant service and dining experiences. The accolade is voted for by the Academy, formed of 1,080 independent restaurant industry experts and well-travelled gourmets from across the world.