Rodolphe Parente Trades Flamboyance for French Classicism at Le Fernet in Monaco.

We’ve been fans of Rodolphe Parente’s work from the beginning, and it’s been interesting to witness his output move away from the avant-garde and into something more classical. Le Fernet, his new brasserie in Monte-Carlo, is quieter than some of his earlier projects, but the eye for detail and material tension that first got us hooked is still intact.

Le Fernet is Parente’s homage to the great Parisian brasserie, filtered through Monégasque restraint. The studio describes it as “a contemporary brasserie” built on comfort and hospitality rather than spectacle—an aim that comes through clearly in the finished space. Rich wood panelling, brass detailing, mirrored walls and crisp white linens set the tone, evoking the timeless charm of a classic city salon without tipping into pastiche.

Where Parente’s touch really shows is in the layout. Cosy banquettes and secluded corners carve out intimacy within an otherwise open, lively room—animated on one hand, discreet on the other. Noble timbers, leather and soft textiles do the heavy lifting on atmosphere, while careful attention to acoustics keeps the room’s buzz from ever tipping into noise, so conversation stays effortless even when the place is full. Live musicians drop in on select evenings, adding energy without disturbing the calm.

Monégasque refinement surfaces in the smaller gestures: understated tableware, discreet touches of gilding, service that’s attentive without trying too hard. Nothing here competes for attention—it’s the everyday, elevated with grace, and there’s something quite refreshing about a Monaco address that isn’t shouting for it.

The menu follows the same lead: concise and seasonal, leaning on brasserie classics reworked with a lighter hand, dishes drawing on both land and sea, and desserts rooted firmly in French culinary heritage. The wine list, meanwhile, is built around independent French producers and approachable, pleasure-driven cuvées rather than showpiece bottles.

Parente has a gift for making a new space feel as though it’s always been there, timeless without falling into the trap of false nostalgia. Le Fernet is no exception—confident, warm, and thoroughly considered, with just enough of the x-factor that’s kept us paying attention to Parente’s work all along.

Rue Du Bac Apartment in Paris by Rodolphe Parente.

Rodolphe Parente’s kaleidoscopic apartment remodel could have you mistaking it for a gallery. Neither loud nor muted, the home features outré pieces that are both bizarre and beautiful.

[Images courtesy of Rodolphe Parente. Photography by Giulio Ghirardi.]