Richard Hesse

Richard Hesse, another long-time Paris resident, is a translator by day and a serial diner by evening. He also likes to lunch. He is joined in these activities by his Scottish terrier, Bertie the Gastrohound, and his girlfriend, Doctor Madame, a London-based freelance historian.

Afaria

June 3, 2008 | By Richard Hesse | Archive

Tip-top Tucker Hats off and sincere thanks to chef Julien Duboué. Afaria means “dinner” in Basque, apparently, but there’s nothing particularly Basque about this restaurant’s food, methinks, which is a brilliantly personal take on contemporary bistro fare. “Good tucker,” as … Read More

L’Ourcine

May 27, 2008 | By Richard Hesse | Archive

La Lune sous l’Eau A bling-free bistro Orwell would love. George Orwell famously authored 1984, but among the myriad bits of journalism he wrote was a musing that appeared in the London Evening Standard in February 1946, about his favorite … Read More

ETC

May 20, 2008 | By Richard Hesse | Archive

Your Table Is (Not) Ready Although you wouldn’t know it from the photo, ETC is more cramped than Dr. Who’s callbox. © Patrice Schmidt, Paris, Musée d’Orsay You can always tell when a chef who leaves a great house to … Read More

Les Petites Sorcières

May 13, 2008 | By Richard Hesse | Archive

Arabian Weaves a Simple Spell From Michelin stars to simple corner bistro. And another erstwhile Michelin-starred chef opens up a no-frills bistro-style eatery. This time it’s Ghislaine Arabian, who, after a rapid exit from Ledoyen a decade ago, opened up … Read More

Les Cocottes de Christian Constant

April 29, 2008 | By Richard Hesse | Archive

High Table   If Les Cocottes is modeled on an Amiercan diner, it must be a very classy one. After our foray into Constant-land last year, I went back to give Christian Constant’s latest addition to his stable of restaurants … Read More

Madame Shawn Thai Cuisine

April 22, 2008 | By Richard Hesse | Archive

Key Learning: God Is in The Thai Royal Basil I was so furious with myself. What kind of a food critic turns up for a return visit to a restaurant he wants to review without booking? And, what’s more, right … Read More

Chez Michel

March 25, 2008 | By Richard Hesse | Archive

Mind Your Manners, Michel Petit salé aux gésiers de canard et foie gras. Chez Michel is a cult place raved about by all for chef Thierry Breton’s inventive, Brittany-inspired cuisine and legendary Granny’s rice pudding, said by one blogger to … Read More

Au Clair de Lune

March 18, 2008 | By Richard Hesse | Archive

National Comfort Food A simple, cozy setting. On the sort of cold, blustery night we’ve been having in Paris recently, my thoughts turn to comfort food and my abiding passion for couscous. The vegetables in broth and the hunks of … Read More

Ze Kitchen Galerie

March 11, 2008 | By Richard Hesse | Archive

Technicolor Treats The chefs work behind a window, like fish in an aquarium. Updated Nov. 12, 2008 As we pushed through the doors and entered the chic interior of Ze Kitchen Galerie, the warmth of chef William Ledeuil’s welcoming smile … Read More

Monjul

March 11, 2008 | By Richard Hesse | Archive

Eye Candy for Food Lovers THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED Click here to read 2013 review. Readers may recall that the answer to the ultimate question about Life, the Universe and Everything in Douglas Adams’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the … Read More