Michelin awards
Michelin awards
A new French restaurant, Le Parisien, will open in downtown Asheville at the former Bouchon location.The menu will feature refined, modern French cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.Le Parisien will initially offer dinner service only, with plans to add brunch in the future.
ASHEVILLE – Le Parisien will soon open in downtown Asheville, filling the void left by the departure of the popular French comfort food restaurant, Bouchon.
Le Parisien, though at the same address, 62 N. Lexington Ave., and celebrating French cuisine, will carve out its own identity in the local dining scene, with owner and Executive Chef Gabriel Attala, taking a different culinary approach to serve a refined French menu.
“It’s not French food for every day, but what we eat occasionally to have a good time with family,” Attala said.
Attala is eyeing the week of Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, for Le Parisien’s grand opening.
Attala said he was referred to Bouchon’s owner, Chef Michel Baudouin, about taking over the two-story restaurant after the fellow Frenchman downsized to solely operate RendezVous in East Asheville’s Haw Creek neighborhood.
In January 2025, Bouchon closed following Tropical Storm Helene. The restaurant briefly operated under Baudouin as Crêperie Bouchon for nearly 4 months before ultimately closing last April.
“Michel was open over there for more than 20 years and had a fantastic and strong reputation. People were disappointed that he closed, so I think there’s a gap to be filled for French restaurants and food,” Attala said.
Attala, a native of Paris, has lived in the U.S. for a decade, first in Florida and now in Brevard. His culinary education and experience have included working at Michelin-starred restaurants in France.
In 2023, Attala opened The Bohemian Restaurant at 192 W. Main St. in downtown Brevard. The diverse menu features some French cuisine, like cordon bleu, but takes diners on a global tasting tour with dishes such as the Cairo, Egypt-inspired chicken shawarma, the Istanbul, Turkey-inspired Adana kebab and the Florence, Italy-inspired Florentine pasta.
Attala said that Le Parisien has employed about 20 workers ahead of the opening. The restaurant is undergoing a monthslong renovation.
“It’s a good opportunity, and a very good location, and Asheville is a very vibrant food scene, and I think it’s the right spot for us,” Attala said.
On the menu: Le Parisien
Le Parisien’s menu will offer refined modern dishes, rooted in classic French tradition. The opening menu features entrées ranging from $32 to $53. The restaurant will open with dinner service only, open Wednesday through Sunday.
Le Parisien will align with the region’s farm-to-table model, sourcing locally. Attala said he will incorporate ingredients sourced from his French farmers and dairies.
Weekend brunch is intended to be introduced about a year after the opening, once the restaurant has settled in.
Le Parisien will be indoor seating only. Reservations will be available, but walk-ins will be welcomed.
The full bar will offer an extensive collection of 50-70 wines, with a large portion from France and other international labels.
Le Parisien’s menu highlights:
Bread service. A warm French baguette and Beurre Isigny Sainte-Mère demi sel. $9Duck French onion soup. Duck broth, caramelized onions and melted gruyère. $12Duck confit risotto. Arborio rice, duck confit, portobello mushrooms and truffle essence. $37Steak frites. Ribeye steak, cognac green peppercorn sauce, served with duck-fat frites. $52Chilean Sea Bass Wellington. Made with spinach, leek, scallop mousse, mustard velouté and fondant potato. $53Grand Marnier chocolate mousse. Dark chocolate mousse and poached pear. $16Le Parisien
Where: 62 N. Lexington Ave., downtown Asheville.
Opening: Tentatively in February.
Hours: Dinner service, Wednesday-Saturday.
Info: Le Parisien’s website and social media accounts to launch soon. For more about The Bohemian Restaurant, visit thebohemian-restaurant.com.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here.
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