This opulent setting, inspired by early 20th-century Paris, comes to life with hand-painted murals of tropical flora on a shimmering silver background, with trellised walls that invite us to settle in comfortably and enjoy an evening of French food and wine, with vert de gris wrought iron arches, walnut cabinets and richly painted ceilings inspired by the Grand Palais in the French capital. Maison Barnes Bar & Lounge transports us to the golden age of the Belle Époque.
Maison Barnes is the first flagship establishment of Barnes in the USA, a leading brand in the high-end residential real estate sector, recognised for its comprehensive and personalised services and with a branch in Spain, in Madrid, San Sebastian, Barcelona, Girona and Palma de Mallorca. Founded by Heidi Barnes and directed by Thibault de Saint Vincent, by committing to the hospitality sector it extends its legacy with a wide variety of private rooms for exclusive events, guaranteeing a luxurious and personalised experience for every occasion.
Located at 63 Upper East Side in New York, in the iconic Beekman building, Maison Barnes celebrates the French Art de Vivre offering a first-class culinary experience with the seal of the renowned chef Daniel Boulud, holder of two Michelin stars.
The art of French living
With two restaurants, a bar, three private rooms including a wine cellar, an attic and a roof terrace, Maison Barnes is the perfect showcase for refined French craftsmanship, while its intimate garden surrounded by latticework invites you to enjoy the famous French wines and its delicious cuisine.
The Art Nouveau influences and vintage pieces give it a beauty that never goes out of fashion. Engraved glass, wrought iron, gilded bronze, polished stone, copper and varnished wood, everything has been carefully selected to reflect the savoir-faire that characterises Maison Barnes. The interiors bear the signature of French decorative painter Stéphanie de Ricou, known for her work on historical monuments such as the Hôtel de la Marine, the Hôtel Lutecia and the Palace of Versailles. For this project she collaborated with Kevin Ouvré, whose work inspired by Saint-Barthélemy is reflected in the banana leaf and palm tree murals. Together they created a vibrant decor, in which each room displays its own identity, often characterised by surprising ornaments in unexpected places such as a staircase wrapped in velvet curtains or a corridor adorned with hand-painted vines.
Maison Barnes offers two exquisite dining options. Café Boulud is a brasserie with creative cuisine located in a conservatory with vaulted ceilings and shamrock-shaped mouldings. It is also adorned with bronze-framed mirror panels and green velvet banquettes, evoking its Art Deco roots. The second option is Maison Barnes, which offers a truly French gastronomic experience of the highest level. This opulent environment, which can be combined with the Bar & Lounge, has a clear Parisian inspiration in which the golden age comes to life with delicate and unique murals of tropical flora hand-painted on a shiny silver background, trellis-lined walls and jewel-toned banquettes.
A traditional but exceptional menu and a completely dedicated team
Under the direction of chef Daniel Boulud, the cuisine at Maison Barnes is a homage to the classic dishes of French gastronomy, in which the finest seasonal products take centre stage. Born in the French city of Lyon, Chef Boulud is considered one of the leading chefs in the United States and one of the most revered chefs in New York and, of course, one of the most recognised chefs in the world thanks to his restaurants in Toronto, Montreal, the Bahamas, Singapore and Dubai.
At Maison Barnes he has continued to develop his cuisine, always with a contemporary approach, but remaining faithful to French tradition and to his life as a chef in New York, which has earned him important awards.
The menu he proposes includes his own contemporary interpretations of the most traditional dishes of French cuisine, maintaining the emphasis on rich, layered flavours, precise seasonal ingredients and classic techniques. Some of the delicacies that can be savoured include a scallop salad with black truffle, venison and juniper terrine with pear and gin chutney, Norman plaice with seaweed buttered rice made with poached plaice, shrimps, mussels and button mushrooms or beef tournedos with maturini sauce and dauphine potatoes.
Desserts include a caramel and vanilla Saint-Honoré, or a grand cru chocolate cake with espresso sabayon.
Accompanying Chef Boulud in the kitchens are Executive Chef Romain Paumier and Executive Pastry Chef Katalina Diaz. Chef Paumier is originally from Montpellier, although he grew up in Lyon where he began his career in bistros and renowned establishments. In New York he started at Daniel Boulud’s DBGB before becoming sous-chef at Café Boulud in 2017. His next stop was the Daniel restaurant where he spent two years as executive sous-chef and later head chef, before taking up the post of executive chef at the new Café Boulud.
Chef Katalina Diaz excels in traditional French techniques and in the creation of layers of flavours and textures in her desserts. In 2017, he joined the pastry team at the Daniel restaurant, just after obtaining his degree from the American Culinary Institute. Promoted to executive sous-chef for pastry in 2019, she joined Café Boulud in 2023, coinciding with its opening. Finally, it should be noted that Victoria Taylor is in charge of the wine list, having trained as a Conseiller en Sommellerie on the Wine Programme at CAFA in Bordeaux, France. He developed a deep appreciation for flavours and food pairings while advising guests at an organic farm in Colorado, and at Café Boulud he holds the position of head sommelier where he combines his culinary knowledge with his wine expertise to create unforgettable gastronomic moments.
French craftsmanship and luxury, a premium lounge bar and the Tournesols bar
As was to be expected, the decoration of Maison Barnes involved artisans from the most recognised French companies such as Christofle, Bernardaud, Hermès, Saint-Louis and others. Some of the decorative elements that attract attention are a Christofle Elephas Maximus, a sterling silver elephant weighing almost fifteen kilograms with complex details, of which only twenty were made, or a glass, amethyst and chartreuse Harlequin candelabra from Maison Saint-Louis that dominates the bar area. On the other hand, the plates from the collection “Je te mangerais dans la main” by JR and Prune Nourry, and a balloon sculpture by Jeff Koons were made in collaboration with Bernardaud artists and form part of the temporary collection.
The premium lounge bar’s cocktail menu includes delights such as the Parfait, the Parfait with Belvedere vodka and Comoz de Chambéry vermouth, and other iconic cocktails such as the Beekman, named after the address of Maison Barnes, with rye, Bénédictine and green Izarra. Maxine Ponson Blanc, the favourite champagne of sommeliers, completes a selection of drinks that also includes up to twenty different wines by the glass. Meanwhile, Burgundy lovers can order a Meursault “Les Corbins” from the Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur. In the wine list by the glass, the options are mainly French, although some prestigious North American wines are also included, such as Cabernet Sauvignon from Waterhorse Ridge in Seaview (California). And to accompany all these prestigious drinks, numerous appetisers such as sea bass bites, Comté gougeres or seafood au gratin with pastis.
The Tournesols bar offers a unique experience. With its decadent décor, a blend of Southeast Asian and European styles with coloured glass lamps, purple sofas and bronze palm tree wall lights, it is the perfect place to enjoy an after-dinner drink, be it a cognac, calvados or one of the fine armagnacs of Maison Barnes. That is, if he can find it, as it is discreetly hidden in a corner of the Barnes Mansion, behind what appears to be the kitchen door.
Rooms for a private and intimate experience
Maison Barnes has four elegant private dining rooms that are ideal for organising private dinners, intimate celebrations or larger gatherings, as well as presentations on art, culture, literature, sport or fashion. The impeccable service, the cuisine of chef Daniel Boulud and timeless French art guarantee the success of the evening.
Le Cellier is much more than a wine cellar, it is a genuine sanctuary for wine lovers. Covered from floor to ceiling with bottles of Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy or Rhône Valley wine, it is the perfect place to enjoy personalised wine pairings at unique lunches and dinners.
Le Vaisselier is an intimate space that resembles a library. Its personalised display cabinets are full of beautifully crafted tableware, including impressionist creations and heritage pieces. This constantly evolving collection is a tribute to French craftsmanship in fine silver, porcelain, crystal and, of course, to the artisans who create them. A destination for lovers of the art of the table and a place where you can organise lunches, dinners and meetings.
Le Salon Madeleine is an art deco-inspired dining room in which the carved glass pillars, the mirrored furniture, the cool whites and the peacock blue are the real protagonists. This private space can be configured for lunches, dinners, receptions or meetings, according to requirements.
The Baccarat Romm is located outside the Madeleine ballroom, hidden behind a mirrored entrance. This intimate space for private events houses a marvellous Baccarat art collection and dazzling pieces of crystal, including Baccarat glassware.
Maison Barnes reflects the ambience of a luxurious private residence that transports us to the golden age of Paris. A showcase for refined French craftsmanship and a celebration of the art of living. The Belle Époque has arrived on Park Avenue.
