Experimental*, the acclaimed French-founded hospitality group, is set to undergo a significant culinary transformation across its New York City locations. The group has officially announced that Chef Alexia Duchêne will join the team as Consulting Chef, tasked with refreshing the food programs at both the Experimental Cocktail Club and the La Compagnie wine bars in Centre Street and the Flatiron District.
Duchêne, a rising star in the global culinary scene, brings a pedigree of rigorous training and international experience to the partnership. A graduate of the prestigious École Ferrandi in Paris, she honed her skills in legendary kitchens including Taillevent and Frenchie in London before capturing international attention as a semi-finalist on Top Chef France in 2018. Since relocating to New York in 2023, she has become a fixture of the local scene, notably opening the West Village restaurant Le Chêne alongside her husband and partner, Ronan Duchêne Le May.
This new collaboration is rooted in a shared vision for elevated, approachable hospitality. For Experimental*, the goal is to offer a refined menu that seamlessly pairs with their world-class wine and cocktail selections. Duchêne’s signature style—which emphasizes high-quality French ingredients treated with simplicity and precision—will be on full display. Expected menu highlights include gourmet comfort staples such as caramelized onion grilled cheese, burrata served with roasted squash, and succulent roasted chicken. To satisfy the demands of a high-end bar clientele, she will also introduce thoughtful sides and decadent sauces, including house-made Brie and bacon jam.
“Being from Paris, I’ve known Experimental* for many years,” Duchêne noted. “When the opportunity came up to work together, it felt like a very natural partnership, as I believe in their ethos and their projects.”
Xavier Padovani, a partner at Experimental*, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the cultural alignment between the group and their new chef. “There are so many natural synergies between our hospitality philosophies,” Padovani stated. “At the heart of both is the idea of bringing people together around the table to enjoy great food, wine, and conversation. We’re thrilled to have Alexia on board.”
Experimental* has long been a trendsetter in the hospitality industry, dating back to the 2007 debut of the original Experimental Cocktail Club in Paris. After first bringing their sophisticated vision to New York in 2012, the group has continued to expand, recently re-establishing their iconic cocktail presence beneath the La Compagnie Flatiron location.
Duchêne’s influence will officially debut at all specified New York locations on Sunday, November 8th. By tailoring menus to the individual character of each bar, the group hopes to create a more intimate experience for guests, solidifying their reputation as a premier destination for those who appreciate the intersection of mixology and fine dining. With this new chapter, Experimental* reaffirms its commitment to providing a curated, distinctly Parisian-inflected experience in the heart of New York City.
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