Our story
Three generations,
one stove.
Maison Laurent has occupied the same corner of Rue Saint-Marc since October 1987. What follows is the short version.
"We never wanted to be the best restaurant in the city. Only the best Wednesday."
— Marguerite Laurent, founder
A short history
Thirty-seven years on the corner.
1987
A wood stove from Périgord
Marguerite Laurent, a refugee of restaurant kitchens in Lyon and Paris, opens the doors on a Wednesday night with twenty seats, eight dishes, and a wood stove she brought from her aunt's farmhouse.
1992
The first Michelin mention
Five years in, the guide lists Maison Laurent for the first time. Marguerite stays out front for the press. Henri, then 19, does most of the cooking.
1998
Henri takes the kitchen
Marguerite steps back to the host stand. Henri brings in his own ideas — North African spice, more fish, less butter — but keeps the duck confit untouched. Customer revolt avoided.
2014
Étienne returns
After eight years in Copenhagen and a stint at Septime in Paris, Henri's son Étienne comes home to take the line. He spends three years quietly modernizing without anyone noticing.
Today
Same room, same stove
Étienne runs the kitchen. Henri still does Sunday brunch. Marguerite — 81 — pours wine for old regulars on Friday nights. The room is the same room. The stove is the same stove.
Philosophy
Cook what's in season.
Make people comfortable.
We don't have a tasting menu. We don't have a sommelier. We have a menu that changes when the market changes, a small list of wines we actually like, and a room with eighteen tables where you can hear the person across from you.
Come for supper.
Reservations on Tock. Or order something for pickup if it's that kind of week.