Café Lapérouse: A Taste of Parisian Elegance Comes to London’s Whitehall at The OWO

Café Lapérouse, the Parisian destination restaurant, is set to open its doors at The OWO in London’s Whitehall. Situated in the building’s central courtyard, housed within an impressive modern indoor pavilion and interior rooms inside the building, the 174-cover restaurant will offer an intrinsically French menu and refined elegant interiors.

A quintessential part of the Parisian dining scene, the Lapérouse name traces its origins back to 1766. Owned by Moma Group, the inaugural Café Lapérouse, opened its doors in 2021 in the center of Paris at Hotel de la Marine, the historic national monument facing Place de la Concorde. This bustling destination is filled with a glamorous clientele throughout the day and into the evening, seven days a week.

The meticulously curated menu at Café Lapérouse London will showcase an array of French classics and signature delicacies found in the Parisian Café Lapérouse across its breakfast, viennoiseries and afternoon tea, with dishes including: Creme brulée from the great Augustins; Scones with cream and housemade jams; Croque Monsieur Lapérouse.

Offering similarly extraordinary hors d’oeuvres, larger plates and desserts, dishes will include: The famous Halles onion gratin; Burgundy snails in the shell with parsley butter, Lapérouse style; “Lapérouse” beef tartare with fries; Sole with meunière butter and capers, mashed potatoes; Rum Baba Royal, whipped cream; and The “Belle Otero” sundae with vanilla, strawberry, pistachio, hazelnut ice cream. Guests can also expect a tailored cocktail and wine list to perfectly match each meal.

Inspired by the travels of French explorer Jean-François de Lapérouse, the space is designed by Art Director Cordeìlia de Castellane, renowned for her work with Maison Dior. De Castellane wanted to give Café Lapérouse a Parisian spirit to be experienced abroad, with elegance and refinement in the details.

Made up of three main dining areas, the focal point of the restaurant will be the stunning Pavilion, a modern circular dining room by London-based studio DaeWha Kang Design. Open from breakfast until dinner, the space will feature impressive floor to ceiling windows and outdoor terrace. The focal point will be the magnificent central bar, round in shape and adorned with shells and pineapple scones, taking diners back to Lapérouse’s stays on the islands. The bar offers counter dining and an impressive display of fresh seafood.

In the main building, two further spaces, the Lobby Orient and Salon Orient will be open in the evening only. The Lobby Orient will feature grandiose displays of the restaurant’s pastries, whilst the opulent Salon Orient will offer a fine dining menu and reflect the Parisian Lapérouse, with bold wallpaper in hues of scarlet and lavish chandeliers.

“We are truly honoured and delighted to be partnering with The OWO for our very first London opening. Cafeì Lapeìrouse will bring its own sophisticated French presence to a London audience, which will excite, amaze and thrill diners. This will be a truly indulgent and different experience, offering a theatre of showstopping signature dishes served in stunning, opulent surrounds.” – Benjamin Patou, Moma Group Founder and CEO.

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