Last month I was invited for a tour and lunch at the newly opened Kimpton Saint Honoré Hotel, centrally located on the Boulevard des Capucines, in between the Opera Garnier and Place Madeleine. 

I was immediately drawn to the striking façade of the building with turquoise painted, iron balconies, windows embossed with a geometric pattern in the same turquoise color, delicate decorative flowers, and gold framing. 

Inside the lobby. two other things that caught my eye were the vintage elevator cage of ornate wrought iron and handsome wood and a sweeping staircase of white marble and brass railings, ready for Norma Desmond to make her return.  

I met Camille Blet, the marketing coordinator of the hotel. She asked if I’d rather she speak French or English, and I said French, and I was proud of myself that I understood about 90% of everything she said for the next 45 minutes. 

She explained that the building was built in 1916 in the Art Nouveau style to house La Samaritaine de Luxe, a luxury branch of La Samaritaine department store, which would cater to the wealthy patrons of the nearby Opera Garnier,  Café de la Paix, and the guests of Le Grand Hotel. 

The interior architect Charles Zana, who was hired to design the hotel, had a desire to preserve the essential elements of the original architecture while also updating the design with a contemporary look. 

We viewed several different categories of rooms which had a combination of soothing neutral colors paired with an accent of vibrant red. The Suite Honoré on the top floor was more like a chic and luxurious Paris apartment with a living room with an avocado green, velvet sofa and mustard velvet club chairs, and a black and white geometric pattern rug, a dining room with a round table and white dining chairs in a nubby fabric, and a full kitchen. The spacious bedroom had curved walls and a high ceiling, and the most outstanding feature was the wraparound terrace with rooftop views. 

I’ve visited several newly designed hotels and restaurants in Paris and other locations in France in the past two years and noticed there’s a trend, which I like very much, where the designers use updated Art Deco elements such as clean lines, curved and softened corners and edges on the furniture. and jewel colors, especially sapphire blue, which the Kimpton Saint Honoré Hotel also uses. 

Although it was closed for the moment, I was able to go to the rooftop of the hotel, where the Sequoia restaurant and bar is located. The 360-degree views were some of the best I’ve ever experienced, especially the close up view of the green dome and the gold angels of the Opera Garnier, and Sacre Coeur in the background. I can’t wait to go up there in the spring when it opens for a glass of wine and a snack. 

After our tour, we had lunch at Montecito, the main restaurant on the lobby floor. The airy dining room has high ceilings and tall, glass panels, which give off a nice natural light along with plush banquettes and club chairs in turquoise velvet, and geometrically patterned rugs. 

Inspired by the laid back and healthy California lifestyle, French chef Nicolas Pastot and American Carrie Solomon have created a menu of multiethnic and American dishes, using the best of French produce and ingredients.  

I started with Scallop Aquachile, a refreshing ceviche with bits of scallops, clementines, radish and coriander with a touch of acidity, and Vincent’s green curry soup was a gorgeously presented, abstract mélange of coconut milk, green veggies, lemongrass, galanga, and kaffir leaves served in a ceramic bowl so pretty, I was tempted to pilfer it. (Another trend I am loving these days in Paris restaurants is the use of glazed ceramic plates and bowls in beautiful patterns and deep, rich colors.) The main course of San Francisco Cioppino, with lobster, seasonal shellfish, and chorizo, chestnut pickles and served with a side of garlic bread, was a warming respite from the cold temperatures that day. 

Although we both loved our lunch, Vincent and I agreed the desserts stole the show. The passion fruit cheesecake was dreamy, creamy, and delicious, and the special dessert of the day was a crunchy, praline and chocolate concoction that was rich and light at the same time.  

Other menu choices at Montecito include soba noodles with mushroom and ginger dashi, and purple cauliflower, the Montecito burger with beef from Aubrac, bacon, pickles, and aged French cheddar, and the L.A. style Cobb salad. A three-course lunch menu of starter, main, and coffee is 39€. 

Kimpton Saint Honoré

27 - 29 Bd des Capucines, 75002

https://kimptonsthonoreparis.com/en/

Montecito 

https://montecitoparis.com/