La Scene par Stephanie Le Quellec opened on October 9. You enter on the street level and there is a stunning bar counter and a few tables. To go to dinner you head down the stairs to the totally stylish dining room. Banquette seating is along both of the long walls in the rectangular room. One end of the room is the open kitchen and opposite that are a couple free standing tables. The tables are marble topped and appointed with lovely linen napkins. The walls of the room have curved wood pieces and lighted opaque glass between them. It is truly striking but very difficult to describe, so look at the pictures below. The tables are on the small side and fairly closely set but each had lovely flowers in an unusual vase on them. Music is in the background and the room is softly lit. There are a couple seats at the kitchen counter and carpet is on the floor, so noise was not an issue. Chef Le Quellec was in the kitchen and did come out to the room to visit with all the guests. They offer several tasting menus (3, 4 or 7 courses and a truffle menu) and a la carte selections. Since we were there they have been awarded 2 Michelin stars. Continue reading
Ken Kawasaki is a small place with just 13 seats around a low u-shaped counter that frames the kitchen. Ken Kawasaki is the Japanese chef that opened the place and still is in charge of the menu but he is rarely there in person as he is usually in Japan. Staffing is sparse, as it appeared that the assistant chef also was responsible for washing dishes and helping serve. The greeter/waiter also helped with serving and clearing. It was impressive what they could accomplish with so little staff, but it felt odd that they still merited receiving one Michelin star. The service was helpful, efficient and provided good pacing for the menu however their command of English was variable. 
Chez La Vielle is named after the woman who started and ran it for over 30 years. Now Daniel Rose (whose other restaurant is close by) owns the place which has about 8 tables in an upstairs dining room and a bar with a counter type tables downstairs. The hours are limited. The more comfortable upstairs has a couple windows that look down at the busy street but the tables are small and close together in the small space. One good thing is the bathroom is on the second level which is nicely convenient. Service was friendly and efficient but as the room filled the waiter was stretched to work the room alone. The same kitchen services both areas. It offers a small a la carte menu with many plates designed to be shared. 
Pertinence is a very stylish small place with only about 10 tables, whose name means “food for all”. The ceiling and back wall are lined with wood slats that morph into a seating bench, two other walls are covered with heavy vinyl drapes and the final wall is large windows looking out on the street. Copper accents make up the window and door frames. There is a window to the kitchen on the wood slat wall where you can peek and see chefs Ryunosuke Naito from Japan and Kwen Liew from Malaysia create their excellently flavored foods. Tables are bare at lunch (clothed at dinner) but do provide a generous lovely linen napkin. Soft music adds a bit of background noise which was good. A large brass egg is on the table and hidden inside is additional silverware. The restaurant opened last spring and serves a la carte as well as a tasting menu. I want to credit Pertinence for the use of their exterior and interior pictures, as mine didn’t work. 
L’Ami Jean is a fair sized place which is really crowded at dinner. Lunch was much nicer. The tables were still tiny and very close but there were enough empty ones to not feel claustrophobic and at 38 euros it is a good value to try the place. The day we visited they were having power issues and Chef Stéphane Jégo was outside trying to find a solution. It didn’t effect critical cooking equipment and so one of his kitchen staff took over the lunch service. 
