I met Laetitia Natali when she was a little girl refusing to play golf, then studying law at Assas university and refusing to become a lawyer. And later, blooming in the hard and demanding work of an apprentice chef. I had lunch at Hotel Vendôme where she was in charge of desserts and then at her restaurant in Pigalle, where she cooked everything. And now I am happy to let you know she has just opened, Kraken, the « it » restaurant in Arcachon with her partner Samuel Villa.

When you are in your early thirties and you have been brought up to be an executive, it is quite daring to become a chef, and even more so to open your own restaurant in a chic resort.

Arcachon was founded by Napoleon III and lies a short hour south of Bordeaux. It is the French equivalent of East Hampton or Nantucket and most customers are demanding guests from Bordeaux and Paris.

Since Kraken opened in May, clients have been consistently coming back, charmed by the earnest talent and the youth of the two chefs.

Last year I was telling you about the literary events at librairie Alice in the  Cap Ferret just across the bay. They will take place again this year from 25 to 27 August. So you might want to combine both visits!

In settling in the little harbour, on boulevard de la plage, Laetitia and Sam struck for the heart of town. Their restaurant with a changing menu, is very reasonable and serves classical French food with a modern twist. The atmosphere is intimate. 15 seats inside, 24 under the porch. Their specialty is “pasta ala grappa” cooked in a huge round of parmesan. They serve tapas and tuna, mackerels in white wine, pâté en croûte and many vegetable dishes.

It is bound to be the chic  and fun address to be seen at, all summer, and the three course menu at 26€ is unbeatable!

Please let me know if you liked it !
Kraken, 55 bd de la Plage, Arcachon, tel:  05 56 22 66 18