On my recent trip to Paris for the European launch of Detroit watch brand Shinola, we continued the ‘Americans in Paris’ theme with lunch at Ralph’s on the Left Bank. Really, what could better celebrate ‘Made in America’ than Ralph Lauren?
Ralph’s is housed in the impressive Ralph Lauren flagship store within a renovated 17th century townhouse on the Boulevard Saint-Germain. Opened in 2010, it’s the second Ralph Lauren restaurant, following the RL Restaurant in Chicago.
Ralph’s features a stylish dining room, cosy bar and a pretty courtyard, which is the place to see and be seen in the warmer months.
The design of Ralph’s is New England country club chic with refined Parisian touches. It is full of old world charm with dark wood panelling, oil paintings of animals, equestrian accessories, worn leather banquettes and quirky highlights of leopard print and tartan. On each table are the most exquisite red roses and Ralph Lauren tableware, plus the waiting staff look dapper in striped blue and white shirts and pinstripes.
Ralph’s has been well-received in Paris (Ralph Lauren was awarded the Legion d’Honneur, after all) and it attracts a crowd of well-heeled locals, fashion industry folk and home-sick Americans.
We were seated close to the limestone open fireplace and were swiftly brought bowls of scrumptious deep-fried green olives to snack on.
Ralph’s is known for its authentic American-style burgers and there are six to choose from on the menu. Some of our group went for the spicy Santa Fe Burger (€33) with tobacco onions, sliced jalapenos, Cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce and I went for the classic Ralph’s Burger (€29).
My medium-cooked burger was juicy and lean, packed between fresh red onions, pickles, heirloom tomatoes, lettuce, gooey Cheddar cheese and flavoursome crispy bacon, served on a toasted sesame bun. The substantial burger was served with crunchy American Farmstead Garden Slaw and a generous amount of well-seasoned ranch style fries. Little pots of Heinz ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise in a silver pot were placed on the table without the need to request them.
Unlike the current trend for ‘dirty burgers’ oozing with meat juice, Ralph’s burgers are refined and high end, made with the best quality Black Angus beef sourced from Ralph Lauren’s Colorado ranch.
None of us had room for dessert, however, Stateside delights such as Ralph’s Brownies, Key Lime Pie and Ralph’s Favourites (an American take on a café gourmand) certainly looked tempting.
We finished our lunch with a pot of Fresh Mint Tea, which came served in an engraved silver teapot with pretty blue and white Ralph Lauren china cups.
We were treated to an enormous pot of sticky caramel popcorn to accompany our teas and coffees – a fun alternative to the usual petits fours.
Ralph’s is the perfect spot for delicious American comfort food and a bit of people watching in a stunning setting. It’s certainly pricey (considerably more than Chicago’s RL Restaurant), but for a taste of the East Coast on the Left Bank, it’s worth splashing out. Look out for the next Ralph Lauren restaurant in New York at his upcoming Polo flagship store in 5th Avenue at 55th Street.
For more information, visit: www.ralphlaurenstgermain.com
Chérie City was a guest of Shinola
All photos by Chérie City
