Restaurant Itinéraires

From his native Ardèche to the culinary wonders of tea*, from the Riviera to Chelsea, from the gastronomic capital of France to its administrative centre, from rue Paul Bert to rue de Pontoise: these are some of the itineraries followed by little Sylvain, now grown up and rubbing shoulders with the big boys.

In the 18th century young people from the well-heeled classes did their “grand tour” of the main European capitals to complete their education and see the world.
Unwittingly, perhaps – I hadn’t mentioned it to him! – Sylvain followed their example, and now Sendra is a name which resonates in open-minded culinary circles.
It is strange how two paths can run so close alongside one another without ever meeting: isn’t it a bizarre coincidence that another chef named “Sendra” – albeit much older – should also have a restaurant not far from la Madeleine? Another country boy who has “come up” to Paris, someone who places great importance on the quality of his ingredients, to the marriage of dishes and wines, and is devilishly creative to boot.
What more can we say about this prodigy who has already won so many accolades and whom we award the prize for best value for money for his starter/main or main/dessert lunchtime menu?

*“La cuisine au thé” by Sylvain Sendra with Carine Baudry, flavourist, Director of l’Ecole du Thé at the Palais des Thés. First edition published in October 2009 by Editions Agnès Viénot – 11 rue Jean-de-Beauvais – 75005 Paris.