French chef to the stars Jean Imbert opens Mamie, inspired by his grandma

The man is a sneaker-clad, pouffy-haired whirlwind. Jean Imbert, former French Top Chef winner who has managed to ingratiate himselves to boldface names on both sides of the Atlantic, is at it again. After opening two restaurants in the U.S. last year, one in Miami with Pharrell Williams and another in New York, Imbert is opening Mamie (“Grandma”) tomorrow in Paris, inspired by his 92-year-old mater familias.

“My grandmother liked to gather all the people she loved around the table, which is probably the reason why I decided to do this job,” he said.

Set to replace his restaurant Acajou in Paris’chic 16h arrondissement — entirely redesigned by Atelier Victoria Migliore — Mamie will feature a recipes approved by his grandmother and updated by Imbert. “It’s super modern to eat old things,” the 37-year-old Imbert told Le Parisien. Among other menu delicacies will be a jug of broth jug (9 €) and a veal stew with a caramelized carrots (25 €). He’s hoping to draw a broader crowd with affordable prices.

And saving, perhaps, the best for last, superstar pastry chef Cédric Grolet, patissier at the Meurice, is in charge of desserts.

Mamie par Jean Imbert, 35 bis, rue Jean-de-la-Fontaine, 75016 Paris. Tel. : 01.42.88.04.47. Hours: 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10:30 pm; closed Saturday lunch and Sunday.