A French-Japanese partnership moves to Monaco

The Michelin-star chef Yannick Alléno and sushi master Yasunari Okazaki have more in common than an award-winning restaurant in Paris: namely, a new restaurant in Monte Carlo, steps from Monaco’s famous yacht club. L’Abysse Monte-Carlo opened in July at the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, in a space designed by Alléno’s wife, Galerie Scene Ouverte founder Laurence Bonnel-Alléno, with architects from RoWin’atelier.

The team incorporated rich woods, marble, travertine and velvet to fashion a wonderfully tactile salon, with just enough visual interest to keep diners from sinking into their seats before the third course. Set behind a discreet door of lightly patinated brass, it has a wood sushi counter with built-in bag rests by Dutch designer Rino Claessens and seats 10. It’s backed by an abstract bas-relief ceramic artwork by American artist William Coggin that takes up the entire wall.

Royal-blue banquettes, a deep-blue custom rug and 10 additional tables run the length of L’Abysse’s remaining space. Paired with pink upholstered armchairs, they seat an additional 24.

The designers brought in two large, sculptural chandeliers in hammered wrought iron and porcelain by Parisian designer Célia Bertrand. Leather and ceramic vases are by Italian-born artisan Silver Sentimenti. Apart from those interventions, the artful sushi is the only visual statement.

L’Abysse Monte Carlo, Sq. Beaumarchais, 98000, Monte Carlo, Monaco