Since its official inauguration in Kuwait in 1998 under the supervision of the prestigious MMC Kuwait, Lenotre has always been our home away from home, a place where we experienced all things Parisian and chic. We would put on our finest outfits, and gather with family and friends at this establishment for many a celebration. From the exemplary food to beautiful décor, Lenotre’s main location on Gulf Road always had an inimitable vibe. Recently, however, Lenotre’s customers had to endure the most testing of changes, as MMC announced that a revamp of the concept’s décor and menu was well on its way. Upon its completion, we were invited to check out the all-new and revamped Lenotre.
The revamp was surely worth the wait, as the flagship location’s new look encapsulates modern French elegance. The space is now light and airy, prominent with art deco elements that are reminiscent of the 1950s. The gorgeous windows that envelop the restaurant allow the lights bouncing off the Arabian Gulf to freely flow into the open, airy space. Monochromatic stripes accent different facets of the restaurant, while the minimalist look also ties in the multi-leveled dining areas. Gold leaf detailing, whether you notice the beautifully suspended hummingbirds, or the stylishly displayed Lenotre signage at the façade of this establishment, make you feel Lenotre’s signature touch of understated luxury.
Today, the restaurant is also home to Lenotre’s dedicated chocolate boutique and florist, where you can easily come to the location to organize your next event with complete ease and peace of mind. An important note that is worthy of mention is that these services are also extended to MMC’s catering services, meaning that you can enjoy the finer things in life, as offered at Lenotre, within the comforts of your own home. The moment you walk through the doors at Lenotre, or speak to any of their expertly training catering consultants, you’re delivered with a consistent service that thrives on quality, luxury and impeccable attention to detail.
Lenotre has not only revamped the look of their iconic location. The menu received a genius makeover under the supervision and culinary direction of the elusive Chef Samaan Hilal. Expect the finest in contemporary French gastronomy coupled with a Middle Eastern twist alongside your favorite classics at Lenotre. More importantly, Lenotre adheres to a “paddle to plate” policy, ensuring that customers receive only the freshest ingredients.
For our Lenotre tasting, we started off with a refreshing Pumpkin, Quinoa Soup. We relished this dish, first receiving an almost empty bowl, except for crisped kale leaves, feta cheese and quinoa. Then, the waitress, who was sharply dressed and sported a pair of quirky wayfarer frames, poured the warm, freshly prepared pumpkin soup. The flavors served to tease our palates, preparing us for the next plate. We lapped up our soup, and eagerly waited for our next dish.
While the salad bar at Lenotre is now a thing of the past, the current array of salads offered on the à la carte menu will surely please every food connoisseur. Our experience with the Beetroot Edamame Salad, served alongside a shot of honey vinaigrette, was magnificent. The salad’s presentation was artful to say the least, and the added touch of crumbled edible rose petals elevated the garden-fresh flavors of this dish to a whole new level. The salad was followed by the Mixed Tempura Plate, with an assortment of calamari, marrow, carrots and snow peas offset by a sweet chili and wasabi sauce.
For our main dishes, we delved right into the beautiful Carré Pasta. Prepared in-house, we adored these oversized pieces of ravioli, stuffed with green asparagus and a mélange of goat cheese and parmesan cheese. The perfect compliment to this dish included the Crusted Rack of Lamb. Prepared to pink perfection, we began cutting off pieces of lamb, mixing this dish’s horseradish spread with the pasta, and the result was beyond spectacular! Swiftly after we’ve cleaned our plates, the pièce de résistance promptly arrived in the form of Slow Roast Chicken. Presented in a rustic, deep copper pot, this whole chicken is marinated for 24 hours in advance, and slowly cooked until the meat succulently falls off the bone. We paid no heed to what we consumed earlier and enjoyed every single part of this chicken, only pausing to try the baby potatoes, onions and bell peppers that came with this dish, soaked in the chicken’s delicious sauces.
Dessert has always been a tantalizing treat at Lenotre, and when we learned that the menu had undergone a revamp, we spent hours upon hours daydreaming of delectable concoctions. To our delight, such fantasies become realities at this establishment. A vision of sugar, spice and everything nice, the Caramel Pop Corn Ice Cream is an imaginative dessert that delivers on both flavor and whimsy. We loved how the texture of the honeyed ice cream was interrupted by the crunchiness of the popcorn, offsetting its sweetness with a touch of salt. We really recommend that you share this dessert with friends, as the portion is indulgent, and rightfully so. If you’re wishing to channel an authentic Parisian experience, then the Apple Tatin is the ideal choice. Think of yourself sipping on an espresso, while digging your fork into this expertly prepared tart with vanilla sauce and caramel cream. The classic Tatin is given the Lenotre treatment, as a freshly whipped and torched meringue compliments the tartness of the apple pieces. For a lighter dessert option, you can pair your favorite coffee with a small selection of homemade Lenotre chocolates, as these little dainty bites of goodness offer the right amount of sweetness without being too rich.
Lenotre Restaurant is located on Gulf Road, by the Kuwait Towers. You may also enjoy their exceptional cuisine at other Lenotre Cafes, with locations in Al Fanar Complex, Marina Mall, The Avenues and 360 Mall. For restaurant reservations or more information, call 1805 050 or 9933 3100, visit www.lenotreparis-kuwait.com or follow them on Instagram @LenotreKw.
