At 36 rue de l’Université, a new address is already attracting the attention of lovers of fine dining. L’Arrêt by The Grey has opened its doors on the site of the former café L’Espérance, a neighborhood institution well known to regulars. Behind this Parisian project are Mashama Bailey and Johno Morisano, the duo behind The Grey restaurant in Savannah, regularly cited as one of the most influential restaurants in the United States. In Paris, they have created a place that embraces its bistro heritage while opening a window on the cuisine of the American South. We invite you to discover it.
The temple of South American cuisine in Paris
A long-time customer of the café L’Espérance, Johno Morisano wanted to preserve the spirit of this convivial place, while injecting it with a new culinary energy. L’Arrêt was born of this desire to create a dialogue between two cultures, without erasing the soul of the Parisian bistro. As a result, many of the old features have been retained and blend perfectly with the new decor. In the basement, a beautiful space under the vaults even completes the ensemble!
In the kitchen, Mashama Bailey transposes to Paris what she has championed for years in Savannah. Her cuisine is inspired by Port City Southern cuisine, which originated in the port cities of the American South. The products and recipes come from a popular and generous cuisine, and you can feel it on the plate. Gumbo, pecans, eggplant, corn, poultry and beef are all part of the menu.
At lunchtime, L’Arrêt offers an affordable formula to discover the best of this cuisine. Mimosa eggs revisited, homemade croque-monsieur, generous sandwiches or chicken schnitzel: here, you can treat yourself to a comforting lunch break! In the evening, the menu expands even further, with emblematic Mashama Bailey dishes such as Savannah Red Rice or Chicken Country Captain, cooked in a spirit of sharing and conviviality. And don’t miss the mac n’ cheese or the roasted cod fillet, real highlights of the menu. And last but not least, it’s hard to leave without trying the pecan pie, a typical American specialty, perfect for ending on a sweet note.
Open from dawn to dusk, L’Arrêt is already setting itself apart from the rest of the Parisian culinary scene. What’s more, this fine establishment caught the eye of the La Liste jury, who recently crowned it one of Paris’s “openings of the year”. All in all, all the more reason to go there with your eyes closed!
📍L’Arrêt by The Grey – 36, rue de l’Université, 75007
📆 Open every day except Sunday, 9am to 10.15pm