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Baumé (restaurant)

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Coordinates: 37°25′41″N 122°8′35″W / 37.42806°N 122.14306°W / 37.42806; -122.14306
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Baumé
Map
Restaurant information
Established2010; 14 years ago (2010)
ClosedAugust 12, 2023; 14 months ago (2023-08-12)
Owner(s)Bruno Chemel, Bechamel S corporation
Head chefBruno Chemel
Food typeModern French
Street address201 California Ave
CityPalo Alto
StateCalifornia
CountryUnited States
Coordinates37°25′41″N 122°8′35″W / 37.42806°N 122.14306°W / 37.42806; -122.14306
Websitewww.maisonbaume.com

Baumé was a French restaurant in Palo Alto, California, opened in 2010 by chef Bruno Chemel. Until 2021, it had two Michelin stars. Originally seating 28, the restaurant was reduced to eight tables in the mid-2010s, and staffed only by Chemel, his son Antoine, and his wife Christie. In 2021, Chemel requested the Michelin stars be withdrawn, and in 2022 he converted the restaurant into a more casual Bistronomie by Baumé. It closed permanently in August 2023.

History

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Chemel, who had worked as a chef at Michelin-starred restaurants in France, was head chef at Chez TJ in Mountain View beginning in early 2008; after it earned two Michelin stars in 2009, he left at the end of the year[1] and in 2010 opened Baumé in nearby Palo Alto.[2] The restaurant initially seated 22,[3] later 28 ; in the mid-2010s, Chemel reduced seating,[4] reduced his staff, and as of 2021 he and his wife, Christie, run the restaurant alone, with a single evening service of eight tables four nights a week.[2] Their son has assisted in the kitchen.[5][6]

Baumé was awarded a Michelin star in its first year[7] and a second star in 2011[6][8] and every following year[9] until 2021, when it did not receive a star.[2] In an interview in 2017, Chemel said that he aspired to earn a third star,[10] but in 2021 he said he had asked Michelin to remove Baumé from its guide because as an essentially private restaurant, it no longer fit the company's "guidelines".[2]

In February 2022, Chemel announced that he would close Baumé and reopen it on March 8, 2022 as Bistronomie by Baumé. He explained his decision to rebrand as an opportunity for a fresh start with a less expensive menu: "In the spirit of bistronomy, I see an opportunity to serve high-level meals at lower prices in a more relaxed environment."[11][12]

Bistronomie by Baumé closed permanently after serving its last customers on August 12, 2023.[13][14]

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Baumé specialized in French gastronomy. In a local listing, Chemel described it as "French Cuisine Moderne with a Zen Touch";[15] his training included studying macrobiotic cooking in Japan.[4] At its inception, it was known for molecular gastronomy;[16] it was named after the chemist Antoine Baumé, inventor of the Baumé scale for measuring the density of liquids.[3] By 2015, this emphasis had lessened.[4] As of 2021 Baumé had a pescatarian and a Wagyu beef tasting menu, and a mandated wine pairing.[2] In summer 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant began offering a four-course take-out menu.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Linda Zavoral (August 13, 2016) [December 3, 2009]. "Michelin star dust-up at Mountain View's Chez TJ". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Elena Kadvany (September 29, 2021). "Palo Alto's Baumé lost two Michelin stars. Its chef wants you to know he's thrilled". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Jay Barmann (March 3, 2010). "Bruno Chemel Cares Nothing for Michelin Stars". Grub Street. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Sheila Himmel (April 30, 2015). "Star of the valley". Palo Alto Weekly. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  5. ^ Jonathan Kauffman (June 26, 2018) [June 22, 2018]. "Baumé in Palo Alto has two Michelin stars - and only two staff". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Suzanne Ennis (July 9, 2019). "Silicon Valley's 10 Michelin-Starred Restaurants Shine Bright". Modern Luxury Silicon Valley. Retrieved October 3, 2021. In summer 2019, there were four tables.
  7. ^ Daniel DeBolt (October 26, 2010). "Former Chez TJ chef earns three Michelin stars". Mountain View Voice. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  8. ^ Michael Bauer (December 15, 2011). "Dining Out: Bruno Chemel's Baumé starts to meet expectations". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  9. ^ "Baumé". Michelin Guide California. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020.
  10. ^ Elena Kadvany (December 14, 2017). "Star power". Palo Alto Daily News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  11. ^ "Home Page". Baumé. Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  12. ^ Linda Zavoral (February 22, 2022). "Palo Alto chef turning his Baumé restaurant into 'more relaxed' Bistronomie — and shaving big bucks off the prix fixe price". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  13. ^ Alex Barreira (August 16, 2023). "Bistronomie by Baumé from Chef Bruno Chemel closes permanently in Palo Alto". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023.
  14. ^ Mario Cortez (July 5, 2024). "Chef who celebrated losing Michelin stars opens new downtown S.F. restaurant". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  15. ^ "Baumé". SanJose.com. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  16. ^ Jennifer Graue (April 14, 2010). "Review: Chef Bruno Chemel at Baumé in Palo Alto explores the future of fine dining". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  17. ^ Elena Kadvany (July 20, 2020). "Two Michelin stars, to go: Palo Alto's high-end Baume pivots to takeout". Mountain View Voice (Peninsula Foodist blog). Retrieved October 2, 2021.
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