There is a “Blank Space” at Le Bernardin, one of New York City’s most celebrated dining establishments. Despite a long roster of celebrity patrons, Taylor Swift has yet to experience the Michelin-starred cuisine crafted by Chef Eric Ripert. “No, she never came,” Ripert told The Post, leaving a notable absence in his dining room.
Ripert, who has helmed Le Bernardin since 1991, revealed some of the A-listers who have graced his reservation book. Richard Gere is a frequent visitor, and Ripert enjoys their exchanges. “When he’s in town, always visiting us, it’s always a pleasure to feed him and speak to him a little bit,” the chef said. Other celebrities include Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and John Legend, but it’s Mick Jagger who stands out for Ripert. “Mick Jagger comes to Le Bernardin when he is in town and he’s friends with my business partner,” he added.
The chef maintains that he doesn’t prepare special dishes for his famous clientele. “They choose from the menu, or they ask me to choose for them whatever I want, which is generally from the menu,” Ripert said. He has never felt nervous about cooking for famous figures. “To me, every client is the same … we cannot have different standards.”
Le Bernardin regularly attracts paparazzi, with some guests even calling them ahead of time. Ripert recounted an instance involving a powerful politician, whose identity he chose not to disclose. “We see like 20 paparazzi outside … and I said, ‘If you want, we can get you out through other ways,’ and he said, ‘No, don’t worry, it’s me, we called them.’”
Among the many notable guests, the Dalai Lama made a memorable impression on Ripert. The spiritual leader visited twice, with Ripert serving wild salmon on the first occasion and filet mignon on the second. However, it was dessert that truly resonated with the Dalai Lama. “He never really showed much emotion, except when he had the chocolate mousse,” Ripert remarked.
Ripert’s new cookbook, “Mindful Cooking,” is set for release on October 6. His culinary philosophy is influenced by his studies of Tibetan Buddhism. He highlighted the dietary restrictions observed by monks, who avoid certain vegetables for spiritual reasons. “Onions supposedly make you sleepy when you are in meditation and also give you bad dreams … Garlic makes your blood circulate a bit faster,” he explained.
At Le Bernardin, the bestselling item is the carpaccio of tuna on a toasted baguette with foie gras. Ripert once removed it from the menu to encourage patrons to try other dishes. The backlash was immediate. “For the first time in my career, I saw really angry clients,” he said. “They were very vocal in the restaurant and they were calling me to their table … explaining that it was a huge mistake and they were very unhappy.” He likened the situation to attending a Rolling Stones concert where they refuse to play “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”
Even after so many years of culinary excellence, Ripert remains eager for new experiences. The absence of Taylor Swift at Le Bernardin is a curious one, given her status in the music industry. With countless other celebrities enjoying the restaurant's offerings, one can only wonder if Swift will finally take a seat at the table.
According to NY POST.
