The story
À La Renaissance brings a grounded approach to classic bistro cooking to the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Carina Soto Velásquez and Joshua Fontaine recently took over the century old building, drawing on their background managing popular cocktail bars across the city. They preserved the original red neon crown and floor to ceiling infinity mirrors while installing a freshly scraped wall fresco and polished wooden tables. This careful renovation anchors a traditional bistro operation that honors the neighborhood’s working class roots without sacrificing contemporary polish.
Chef Min Wou Choi leads the pass after stints at Le Dauphin and the former Saturne. Her approach to French bistro preparation grounds itself in straightforward technique and seasonal produce. Pan fried ceps arrive coated in browned butter alongside baby artichokes dressed in a sharp peppery vinaigrette. The Iberian pork rack demonstrates precise roasting, emerging pink inside with charred edges and resting beside wilted chard and a soft roast onion.
A chic marble topped bar runs along one wall, providing a steady spot for espresso or an afternoon glass of wine. The dining room shifts easily between a full lunch roster featuring beef and Guinness stew and a lighter morning service of tartines layered with Prince de Paris ham and Comté cheese. All day snacks like garlic piquillo peppers and prawn cocktails appear on simple paper placemats. Le Fooding recognized this consistent approach when it placed the venue on its 2026 list.
Recognition
Instagram