Page 94 - HH Jan 2023-Dec 2024

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

French

connection

Kazem Samandari, Founder of
L’Opéra Café, on transporting guests
and patrons to the heart of Paris
through the refined atmosphere and
exquisite products of the outlets L’Opéra has long been recognised as the epitome of French culinary excellence in India.

Tell us something about L’Opéra Art Café? How are the Art Cafés different from other outlets of
French cafés and to an extent Salon the Thés have always L’Opéra?
been associated with culture, art and beauty. Among the L’Opéra operates four distinct formats: Counters, Boulangerie-
most famous examples we should recall Les Deux Magots Pâtisserie (Bakery-Patisserie), Salon the Thé (Tea Room) and
at Paris’ Saint-Germain-des-Prés which since its inception finally Café-Restaurant. The first two are of more limited
has been the favourite hangout of famous artists and writers space whereas the latter two are larger facilities which also
such as Guillaume Apollinaire, Louis Aragon, André Gide, offer a comprehensive food menu comprising mainly French
Jean Giraudoux, FernandLéger and Ernest Hemingway. In this specialities. The Art Cafés are either Salon de Thés or Café
Café/Salon de Thé, many literary and artistic movements were Restaurants where original artwork is exhibited or where
conceived and nurtured, such as André Breton’s other forms of artistic activity takes place.
surrealism and Jean-Paul Sartre’s and Simone
de Beauvoir’s ideas of existentialism. L’Opéra Please tell us about design philosophy, product
being the pioneer and symbol of quintessential philosophy and the brand philosophy of L’Opéra?
and accessible authentic French culinary L’Opéra has long been recognised as the epitome
experience in India, we found it appropriate to of French culinary excellence in India. Over the
add the artistic and cultural dimension to this years, we have pioneered the introduction of the
unique, immersive experience. quintessentially French Salon de Thé concept to
the Indian capital and with each L’Opéra outlet,
Have you introduced any new products as we have strived to transport our cherished guests
well for the Café? and patrons to the heart of Paris through an
On average, L’Opéra introduces 5-6 totally Kazem Samandari environment that exudes refinement and offers an
new or seasonal products every month. We currently carry array of exquisite products.
some 2,000 SKUs of which we produce some 230-250 every Our newest Art Cafés introduce an exciting, artistic
day including over 20 types of breads alone. This does not dimension to our established concept. For these outlets, we
include the food menu served in the L’Opéra Salon de Thés decided to use elements that refer to France’s architecture
and Café Restaurants. and culinary tradition. We not only chose colours such as
It is fashionable to ask about what is “new”, but this pastel green, pink, light grey but also ceramic floor tiles
presupposes that one has already tasted everything on which recall the traditional bakeries located in the heart of
the menu which would be considered “old”. I would like to Paris. Additionally, we have added a few elements of art deco
return the question back by asking: have you already tasted style and innovative displays that one can discover inside the
L’Opéra’s unique Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame, outlet.
Savoury and Sweet Crêpes, the incomparable French Onion Along with the décor, original, reasonably priced artworks
and Wild Mushroom Soups, the Eggs Benedict and Florentine, take centre stage, meticulously curated by the talented
the collection of Posh Toasts, Quiches, Croissant Meals, etc. art expert, Dr Vladimir Zeitsev. These pieces are not only
not to mention the mouth-watering Risottos, Pizzas, Pastas, available for admiration but can also be purchased, allowing
Lasagnes and many more wonderful dishes? patrons to take home a piece of art that resonates with them.