MANKO-PARIS IS THE MEETING OF THREE SEPARATE PASSIONS AND DREAMS, A GREAT CHEF, AN AUDACIOUS ENTREPRENEUR, AND AN INTERNATIONAL ARTIST.
Gastón Acurio, the star chef, is already known as the king of Peruvian food (Gastón leads around forty restaurants in all four corners of the world including the famous “Astrid y Gastón”), Manko-Paris is his first opening in France.
Benjamin Patou is the founder of the MOMA group (which brings together more than 400 collaborators in 4 areas of entertainment in catering, event management, corporate events, and cultural events). He already leads renowned establishments such as the Le Bus Palladium, triumphantly reopened L’Arc Paris, and was part of the highly successful launch of Victoria 1836 nearly 15 months ago.
Garou dreamed of participating in the creation of a truly extravagant cabaret that was both spectacular and burlesque, detailed yet flamboyant. The artist gathered together the most fantastic francophone performers from around the world and entrusted the staging to Manon Savary and the artistic direction to the duo of Marc Zaffuto & Emmanuel d’Orazio (creator of the “club sandwich” nights).
GASTÓN ACURIO
GASTÓN ACURIO, HEAD CHEF, IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AMBASSADORS OF PERUVIAN CUISINE IN THE WORLD. SIMPLE AND AUTHENTIC, HE HAS AT NO POINT FORGOTTEN HIS ROOTS AND HERITAGE.
From Madrid to Paris, he has worked and studied all around the world. He met his wife while training in the kitchens of Le Cordon Bleu. In 1994, a year after his return to Lima, they opened their first restaurant Astrid y Gastón. With the basics in classic French cuisine, he experimented with Peruvian flavors and recipes. As the years passed, new horizons opened up to them. Gastón opened notable restaurants in Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain, obtaining awards along the way, with Astrid y Gastón being named one of the top 50 restaurants in the world.
Today, Gastón Acurio is involved in 45 restaurants in 11 countries around the world and he spends his time visiting these restaurants as well as creating new projects such as Manko-Paris as he continues his discovery of Peruvian cuisine.
MANKO-PARIS, A PERUVIAN RESTAURANT
Throughout the centuries, Peruvian cuisine has been inspired by so many of the world’s cultures. The influences of Europe, Japan, China, and Africa are fused with the ancient Andean culture and the exuberance of the amazon. These different influences give birth to a universe of unique flavors. Sharing is the most famous part of Peruvian cuisine and this is evident throughout the Manko-Paris menu.
It is in this spirit of sharing that Gastón has passed on the reins of the restaurant to Ruben Escudero, the resident head chef of Manko-Paris, whose expertise in Peruvian cuisine and culture is wonderful. He is full of praise for Gastón describing him as “someone who always knows what to say at the right time, he is both inspirational and passionate”. For several years Ruben trained under the watchful eyes of Gastón, immersing himself in the flavors and inspirations of Peruvian cuisine. He has worked in Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia and when approached with the opportunity to head a restaurant in Paris, he couldn’t say no.
MANKO-PARIS IS ALREADY A LEGEND!
The silence is golden but the words are silver…
This new place that everyone is talking about appeared out of the blue. There is already so much within Manko-Paris that sets itself up as a mythical experience. It is set in the old Drouot auction house – where the film “fauteuil d’orchestre’ was made – at 15 avenue Montaigne and will open its doors to the public in February.
Being located on the most beautiful avenue with the golden triangle, it is predestined to be a success as it’s so well named. The restaurant is called Manko-Paris as it nods to ‘Manco Capac’ the Son of the Sun God and the founder of the Incan people. Similarly, Manko-Paris has made itself the center of the conversation.
A BAR WITH PERU-THEMED COCKTAILS
Within the extension of the restaurant, the cocktail bar allows you to start or finish your journey to the lands of the Incas with a local touch. As you climb the stairs, the temperature rises! The bar puts all the pleasure of Peru into its cocktails (with or without alcohol), with Pisco taking pride in the place. In the bar, the journey continues into Peru and the various cultures that have enriched the history and fabric of this country. Let the bartenders guide you and be enchanted by their creations.
Aside from spirits, a unique selection of Pisco will open up the many facets of Latin America to you. The land of fire where the madness of Mezcal in flames bodies and minds and where old rums can lead to mysterious legends. A number of surprises stand out from the menu, such as the house liqueurs made with Pisco, which match perfectly with particular foods, and other fantastic bottles with enigmatic names.
Pisco is a brandy made in the winemaking regions of Peru around the town of Pisco. It has been enjoyed in Peru for centuries either as part of a cocktail or on the rocks. Benefitting from a controlled designation of origin, the name comes from the Quechua language which gave the name “pisqu” to the birds that are in abundance in that region of Peru. There are many different types of Pisco, using different varieties of grapes depending on the master distillers.
LAURA GONZALEZ, AN EXCEPTIONAL ARCHITECT
An iron hand in a velvet glove, Laura Gonzalez has a taste of this in her personality. This casual Parisian’s string of achievements and creations all have a taste of authenticity about them.
At 32 years old, she has already completed over 200 projects. These have included some of Paris’s trendiest restaurants: Le Bus Palladium, Le Schmuck, Le Delaville Café, Le Wood, La Gare, La Brasserie Auteuil, Hôtel Ermitage in St Tropez, Le Relais Christine in Paris and many others.
The work on Manko-Paris is a resumption of a working relationship with Benjamin Patou, who trusted her with the renovation of Le Bus Palladium 6 years ago.
Finding refinement in the rough, Manko-Paris gilded in warm chic colors allowing the nobility of the materials to shine through (floor tiles, patterned sconces, tables, and chairs made from precious hardwoods, brass metalwork, gold patinas, and silver-leafed objects).
The space has been renovated with respect to Peruvian culture and traditions. Laura affirms that she was “inspired and influenced by Peru, the Andes, and South America,” but also wanted to “respect the beautiful building and area of Avenue Montaigne in Paris.” The idea was to transcribe refinement with the organic through the rugs, mosaics, marble, and the mixture of raw and precious materials and colors such as Inca blue and deep green. Laura believes that the authentic décor is successful in combining the spirit of Peruvian bohemia and Paris chic.
Hospitality Design Trends and Ideas – Sleep + Eat Sets – find out more
French Chic – Design Business Lounge at the Paris Airport – have a look
