Paris Society, the French restaurant group led by Laurent de Gourcuff, is to make its UK debut. The company is joining forces with Guillaume Glipa, who has been behind the openings of Zuma, Coya and Chiltern Firehouse, to launch Louie [named after the jazz player Louis Armstrong] at the former L’atelier site in Covent Garden. The property in West Street will be revamped with American chef Slade Rushing running the kitchen, and his menu will “blend influences of New Orleans, London and Paris”.

August update

Paris Society is to open its delayed debut UK site next month. The company is launching the 150-cover Louie. in a four-storey 19th century townhouse in West Street. The concept has been jointly named after King Louis XIV and Louis Armstrong. New Orleans chef Slade Rushing will be in charge of the kitchen and offer a French-Creole menu, while the restaurant will feature a wood-burning oven and oyster bar. The menu will include dishes such as New Orleans-style barbecued lobster, leeks vinaigrette, and pig’s cheek with langoustine. The ground floor of the venue will “mimic” a brasserie and feature a curved oyster bar, while the first floor will host an “opulent” dining room with velvet pews and a wood-fired oven. The floors above will host a lounge, bar and roof terrace hosting live jazz alongside late-night snacks and New York-style pizza.