The Arola, W Paris-Opéra’s signature cuisine restaurant and Sergi Arola first venture in France, proposes an original and daring culinary concept: the "Pica Pica."
Housed in an elegant Haussmannian building constructed in 1870 in the 9th arrondissement, close to Galeries Lafayette and Place Vendôme, W Paris-Opéra is due to open on 14 February. On 12 January, the hotel announced the appointment of Sergi Arola, the Spanish two-star Michelin chef, to the post of chief executive of the Arola, the W Paris-Opéra’s signature cuisine restaurant. Arola will also be in charge of designing the menu for the W Lounge and room service.
Located on the first floor of the hotel, the Arola restaurant features a sober, modern décor creating a perfect ambience for discovering the "Pica Pica," a new, interactive culinary concept. Instead of a typical menu comprising a choice of first and second courses, plus dessert, Arola proposes a range of creative dishes prepared with seasonal produce, together with classic French dishes, all served in small portions on a central plate from which diners can help themselves. Arola’s dishes, which are divided into three thematic areas – from the kitchen garden to the table, from the sea to the table, and from the land to the table – constitute a real culinary treat.
"We’re delighted to welcome Sergi onboard," commented Olivier Servat, SEO of the W Paris-Opéra. "His solid international experience, understanding of the local cuisine and creative approach make him the ideal chef for this hotel. For the Arola, he has developed a daring concept expressing the prefect fusion between his Catalonian roots and the identity of the W Paris-Opéra, both dynamic and sophisticated. "
"For me it’s a magnificent opportunity, a dream come true, to open my first restaurant in France at the W Paris-Opéra," said Arola. "With the Arola, I hope to offer world-class cuisine that expresses both the tradition of Catalonian cooking and the illustrious history of French gastronomy, although in the form of a fun and original format that invites one to share and interact."
Arola also plans to open new restaurants in Bombay and Switzerland at the W Verbier, scheduled to open in 2013.
Sergi Arola
