Our heritage
A passion for hospitality since 1984
A family affair
A childhood spent in the kitchen
Le Petit Gourmand is much more than a legacy; it is a new beginning. When my parents opened the restaurant in 1984, I was just four years old. I spent twenty years working in the kitchen and serving in the dining room before moving to Paris. It was here that I forged my love of ‘good food’, nurtured by home cooking that brings people together: roast chicken, my grandmother’s rice pudding… These unforgettable meals are the source of my curiosity and the DNA of my cuisine today.
The Paris School
Shaped by the greatest
To master an art, one must learn from the masters. For years, Paris was my school. Working alongside Yves Camdeborde and Bruno Doucet at La Régalade, and later with Jean-François Piège at the Hôtel de Crillon, I learnt one essential lesson: never overwhelm the ingredients with too many frills. True cuisine is based on a rule from which I never deviate: good seasoning, perfect cooking, and a good sauce. All enhanced by beautiful presentation, because a dish is first devoured with the eyes.
In the kitchen and in the dining room alike, we share a single passion: to make your meal an unforgettable experience to be shared
Laura Espagnacq
The art of hospitality
Working as a couple is our greatest strength, as we each excel in our own field. In the dining room, it is Laura who orchestrates your experience. A former maître d’hôtel, she honed her skills in some of Paris’s most prestigious luxury hotels, from the Plaza Athénée with Alain Ducasse to the Hôtel de Crillon with Jean-François Piège, where our paths first crossed.
Today, she brings this uncompromising standard to our family-run establishment. Laura possesses the rare talent of instantly identifying each guest’s preferences to offer a bespoke welcome. Whether you prefer a discreet presence for a business lunch or a warm and friendly conversation, she attends to every detail. Passionate about her craft, she is also the one who unearths our hidden gem wines and will guide you towards the perfect pairing to enhance your meal.
Today's promise
A tradition brought to life
In search of peace and tranquillity following the birth of our first son, a return to our roots seemed the obvious choice. Taking over the family restaurant was by no means an easy path, however: we had to persuade others to let us take over the premises whilst respecting the historic identity of Le Petit Gourmand. Today, our vision is clear: to breathe new life into the great classics of bistro cuisine by using our own style to modernise them.
Come and share our story
Our greatest pride is in keeping this passion alive. We invite you to join us at our table to discover it.