The story
At VIVE, Maison Mer in Paris’s 17th arrondissement, Stéphanie and David Le Quellec celebrate the sea with elegance and generosity. The restaurant, recognized by the Michelin guide, offers a cuisine that is iodized, free, and contemporary, drawing inspiration from the coastlines of Normandy, Brittany, and the Mediterranean.
The space itself sets the tone. A spectacular bar of Patagonian granite anchors the ground floor, while upstairs, oak wood and long, burnished velvet banquettes in saffron-curcuma hues create a warm, enveloping atmosphere. The open kitchen allows guests to watch the chef and his team at work.
The menu is designed for sharing. Plates arrive on serving dishes, encouraging curiosity and exchange. Ceviches and sashimis with a worldly touch sit alongside reinvented classics. The kitchen makes use of a dedicated maturation cabinet, where fish is aged for three to ten days, gaining depth of flavour and new textures. A pastry chef, inspired by coastal classics, prepares desserts such as kouign-amann and Paris-Brest.
Downstairs, the bar serves signature cocktails and a curated selection of sake, alongside a raw bar and seafood plates. Whether for a full meal or a glass of wine at the counter, the spirit is one of conviviality and spontaneity.
VIVE is a project twenty years in the making, born from the shared vision of Stéphanie and David Le Quellec. It is a restaurant that honours the product, the sea, and the joy of a true, lived-in moment at the table.
Recognition
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