Les Caryatides, Alfred Sommier's confidential and historic terrace restaurant

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Published by My de Sortiraparis · Photos by My de Sortiraparis · Published on May 25th, 2023 at 08:01 p.m.
In the 8th arrondissement of Paris, near the Madeleine, lies the historic Hôtel Alfred Sommier. This sublime 19th century private mansion houses Les Caryatides, a confidential and hidden terrace restaurant, which is worth a visit.

Located in the historic heart of Paris, in the Hôtel Alfred Sommier, a former Parisian mansion from the mid-19th century, Les Caryatides offers a unique culinary experience that evokes the rich past of the house. This place full of history, transformed into a 5* hotel, is an exceptional setting for this restaurant where the art of entertaining has been carefully preserved.

The hotel, located at 20 rue de l'Arcade, near the Place de la Madeleine, was originally built as the "little" Soubise hotel by Pierre Contant d'Ivry for the marshal of Soubise. Today, under the aegis of Richard de Warren de Rosanbo, a descendant of the Sommier family, the hotel has been transformed into a luxurious 5-star hotel, reviving the ancestral residence.

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The restaurant Les Caryatides unfolds in a Louis XV decor. With high ceilings and three large lanterns illuminating the woodwork, the atmosphere gives the feeling of sitting at a family table. The medallion chairs with canes and the Gien crockery with Alfred's figure are a nice introduction. It owes its name to the famous ornamental statues that decorate the entrance to the dining room.

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Chef Edouard Ogier, in charge of Les Caryatides, has worked with some of the best: four years at Laurent, five years at La Réserve Paris, a few months at La Tour d'Argent, but also at Clarence and Hélène Darroze. With such experience, one expects the best on the plate and is not disappointed.

To make the experience even more personal, the restaurant offers the "Menu de Jeanne" in honor of Jeanne Sommier. This menu, priced at 59€, includes "signature" dishes like:

  • Beet accompanying salmon gravlax, a reminder of the Sommiers' sugar business,
  • Roasted cans traditionally served with a Burgundy wine, evoking the family's region of origin,
  • And the "souvenir d'enfance d'Alfred", a mysterious dessert to be discovered which recalls the family's baking origins.

Other delights await you on the menu, such as starters and small dishes to share, salads and various desserts. Under the glass roof, in the dining room or even on a beautiful table in the garden-terrace on sunny days, you can relax and enjoy a beautiful discovery.

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The menu changes according to the seasons, as you can imagine. During our visit to the restaurant Les Caryatides, we reveal you what we could discover. The opportunity to give you an overview of the know-how of Chef Edouard Ogier and his team.

We started with appetizers all in delicacy and flavors. The salmon gravlax, signature dish, served with beets and potato salad, is a nice discovery while the quinoa, citrus and avocado salad, fresh and light, is ideal for the beautiful days.

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For the main course, we liked the Fregola Sarda, with its crisp vegetables and garlic emulsion, which transported us directly to Sardinia with its authenticity. The roasted duckling, served with French peas, is really generous, balanced and full of character. And to complete this trio of main courses, the Pêche de Normandie of the day, a perfectly prepared skate, made us appreciate the flavors of the sea with an unforgettable delicacy.

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To finish on a sweet note, we were seduced by the apple tarte Tatin, a French classic revisited with brio, combining the crispness of the pastry, the caramelized sugar and the apple millefeuille. And to finish this culinary journey, we tasted Alfred's "Souvenir d'enfance" with bread, a mysterious dessert that, beyond its delicious flavor, evokes the Sommier family memory.

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Experiencing Les Caryatides is undoubtedly a journey for the senses, an immersion in history, and a unique opportunity to discover French haute cuisine. A place to discover absolutely during your next visit to Paris, for a lunch break, a romantic dinner or simply to savor a moment out of time. Please note that the restaurant is open to all, for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, upon reservation.

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
Starts May 24th, 2023

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    Location

    20 Rue de l'Arcade
    75008 Paris 8

    Prices
    Desserts: €9 - €15
    Entrées: €15 - €23
    Plats: €18 - €40
    Menu signature: €59

    Official website
    www.alfredsommier.com

    Booking
    www.alfredsommier.com

    More information
    Please note that the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, by reservation only. Contact +33(0)1 88 22 10 00. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 12:00 to 14:30 and 19:30 to 21:30. Room service available 24 hours a day.

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