LE BON GEORGES

A Paris Bistro Procures Perfection

- JAMES MOLESWORTH

Steeped in tradition while elevated with a modern-day conscious-ness, Le Bon Georges represents the new pinnacle of the classic French bistro. The casual restaurant is the result of owner Benoît Duval-Arnould’s passion to source the highest-quality ingredients from artisanal French purveyors, pair them with a great wine list and serve them amid the theater of a bustling seven-days-per-week, lunch-and-dinner schedule.

Located in Paris’ 9th arrondissement, Le Bon Georges opened in 2014, taking over the space of a former pizza parlor. It features a cozy 50-seat dining room split over two levels, its walls adorned with classic posters, large mirrors and chalkboard menus. An additional 44 seats are offered on the sidewalk out front, while a small chef’s table in a back room affords an up-close view of the working kitchen. The hum of the place during service makes every seat a great perch for convivial dining and people watching.

The success of Le Bon Georges is interesting in part because it isn’t the latest project born of a long career by a seasoned hospitality veteran. Instead, it’s Duval-Arnould’s first ever foray into restaurants.

“For me to open a restaurant has always been a dream,” says Duval-Arnould, 47. “When I was a boy, I wanted to become a farmer, but I didn’t have the connections or money. I was raised and educated by my grandmother. She was a fantastic woman who taught me a few things. She taught me how to eat. She taught me how to select products. She was also tough with me, telling me that you had to always work hard.”