Alexandre Mur (OCabanon): “I deal with my restaurant like my own residence”

After spending a number of years in Parisian mansions, and now a member of the French Culinary Academy, Alexandre Mur determined to open a French restaurant within the “Large Apple” together with his two companions. Eleven years after opening OCabanon, this head waiter appears to be like again on his fascinating Franco-American profession.

You’re educated within the artwork of the desk. The place is that this name coming from?

Alexandre Mur: My first contact with the restaurant business occurred a bit by likelihood, due to a summer time job. On the time, I did not know what career to decide on, and my household prompt to me the concept of ​​doing an apprenticeship on this sector. Then I signed a contract in a middle in Lyon, which is my hometown. I instantly favored the interplay with folks within the room. I knew straight away that it was meals for me!

I enrolled in a lodge college, then I labored for a number of homes, together with Vatel and Rabelais. The journey was launched: my catering profession continued in England, on the legendary Manoir aux Quat’Saisons (Oxford). This keep modified me. In 4 years, I discovered English and rose via the ranks to develop into a maître d’hôtel. It was a fantastic expertise. Above all, I acquired to know the worldwide customers, which was very helpful for me sooner or later.

© OCabanon

Throughout Covid, we needed to reinvent ourselves to get via

What impressed you to open your personal restaurant in New York?

I’ve all the time wished to find out about the US. I believe it should come from my style for American tradition, which I discovered about via sports activities and cinema. After spending a number of years in Paris – primarily for Lucas Carton’s home – I wished to satisfy my dream of flying to New York to work there.

Alexandre Mur’s grandmother’s shed gave its title to the restaurant in New York © OCabanon

I took off in 2003, and after two experiences at Le Bernardin and with Daniel Boulud, I spotted that this metropolis was made for me! Then I wished to start out my very own mission. With my two companions (together with Armel Joly, editor’s notice), we determined to open OCabanon – whose title is a tribute to my grandmother’s shed – in December 2013. For ten years, now we have devoted ourselves with ardour, regardless of hardships, similar to Covid. With the short-term shutdown of OCabanon throughout a seizure, we needed to reinvent ourselves to outlive. Regardless of every thing, and due to the French supply platform Wink, we survived! Immediately, now we have totally succeeded in getting via.

In New York, there may be all the time a component of the surprising.

What did you want about New York’s culinary and gastronomic world?

In New York, there may be all the time a component of the surprising. Day-after-day has its share of surprises, which make the job each thrilling and difficult. I had the chance to satisfy very fascinating folks from all walks of life, which not solely enriches my skilled but in addition private expertise.

The environment and camaraderie that emanates from the New York culinary scene is wonderful. It has a particular vitality, an effervescence that may’t be discovered anyplace else. The probabilities are infinite, and it permits you to consistently discover and create.

I deal with my restaurant like my own residence. For me, each buyer is a particular visitor. As well as, the purchasers are very various and it’s a must to be open on many matters. This variety is an actual asset. In New York, folks do not choose. They arrive to the culinary expertise, with out prejudice. In my restaurant, everyone seems to be welcome and handled the identical.

In the US, there’s a actual tradition of mutual encouragement and assist.

What was your largest shock while you discovered the meals part right here?

The primary shock was how costly every thing is right here. To settle in New York, that you must do an in-depth market analysis to correctly handle your institution. Each element counts, and good monetary administration is important to survival! I used to be additionally shocked at how vital administrative particulars have been. Every thing takes time and it’s a must to be very strict and anticipate every step.

However regardless of these challenges, I virtually had nothing however nice surprises. One of many largest was discovering out how seemingly People have been to encourage one another to achieve their tasks. In the US, there’s a actual tradition of mutual encouragement and assist. People will not be jealous. They sincerely congratulate and assist those that succeed. This mindset may be very thrilling.

How would you describe the hyperlinks you preserve (personally, and with OCabanon) with the native French group?

They’re essential. It’s mandatory for me to not neglect my roots, and to keep up a robust reference to French tradition. The French group in New York may be very quite a few: consulate, French companies, vacationers, guides, Alliance Française, Franco-American Chamber of Commerce… This community of solidarity is central and important for us.

In our restaurant, the French are all the time very welcome. We do every thing we are able to to make them really feel at residence, to discover a little bit of France within the coronary heart of New York.

© OCabanon

What’s the relationship between People and French meals?

They typically ask for a shock, which is an actual pleasure for us within the kitchen! For instance, snails all the time arouse a number of curiosity and enthusiasm.

People are great shoppers: they’re very curious and open to discovering new dishes. At OCabanon, chilly meats and cheese, escargots, and naturally, burgers are essentially the most requested dishes by People. However we all the time give them a French contact, changing the cheddar with brie, for instance. Provencal stew can be very fashionable.

We are going to broadcast each match of the French staff throughout Euro 2024.

What are the following occasions organized by OCabanon?

We’ve got a number of tasks and occasions arising. We are going to broadcast each match of the French staff at Euro 2024, beginning on June 17, with the match between France and Austria.

Sports activities competitors instances are all the time very energetic right here. The French are available in massive numbers to assist the staff, and the environment is really wonderful. These are moments of nice pleasure and thriller that we like to share with our prospects. We do every thing we are able to to create a heat and welcoming environment.