The well-known restaurant in the Rollingergrund hasn’t said its last word, as it will reopen in a few weeks, featuring a menu supervised by the two-star French chef Philippe Mille. Here’s a sneak peek of the renovation.
Since the beginning of 2024, the Rollingergrund has lost a beloved culinary destination: L’Opéra. The person behind the renovation is no stranger to the kitchen world. “I used to represent Electrolux kitchen equipment in Luxembourg. In the early 2000s, I delivered all the equipment to the restaurant, which was already called L’Opéra,” recalls Bruno Dogné.
A Two-Star Chef
When the establishment, which had changed management over time, closed down, Dogné saw an opportunity. A gastronomy enthusiast and now a real estate developer, he decided to take on the project of reopening L’Opéra and restoring its former charm. “To do so, I teamed up with the two-star chef Philippe Mille to bring a high-quality menu.” The renowned former chef of Domaine des Crayères in Reims, who has now opened his own restaurant, Arbanne, in the Champagne region, will oversee the menus of the new L’Opéra. However, “we’re not aiming for a fine dining restaurant, but a beautiful brasserie with good, accessible products, in line with Michelin’s Bib Gourmand recommendations,” explains Bruno Dogné.
“Keeping the Skeleton”
The welcoming space is currently undergoing a complete renovation. “We had to bring everything up to code, as regulations have changed a lot over the past twenty years. Electrical systems, plumbing, windows, and more””we’re keeping the skeleton and refurbishing everything,” says the entrepreneur.
Since June, the beautiful early 20th-century building has been under construction. “We’re aiming to open by mid-October,” he says confidently. Even if, at first glance, it seems like the rooms still need a lot of work, the expert assures: “All the major work has been done, now it will move quickly.”
A Sunny Terrace
Upon arrival, the former terrace has been completely dismantled to make way for the construction site. It will be replanted with boxwood, and a light and natural-toned terrace will host about 60 seats, benefiting from ideal sunlight for outdoor dining.
The ground floor will accommodate 35 guests. “We’re keeping the original ambiance by repainting the walls in black. The large counter will stay, and we’ll arrange tables between the two rooms,” one of which is divided by beautiful small-paned glass doors. To the left of the entrance, a cosy lounge will be perfect for an aperitif or coffee.
Climbing a small staircase brings you to the upper level.
95 Indoor Seats
The existing kitchens on the first floor are still in place. “We won’t be changing much,” says the former kitchen equipment specialist. On this level, a dining room with an open ceiling revealing the upstairs railings will offer 30 seats.
On the second floor, another dining room, featuring a beautiful stone fireplace, will seat 30 guests and provide a view of the floor below through balustrades. “We’ll replace the chandeliers and install lighting that hangs down to the first floor,” Dogné details.
Soft lighting, chevron-patterned floors, exposed stone, mouldings, glass doors, a fireplace, balustrades, narrow staircases, a terrace, boxwood, a quality chef””everything is coming together! But we’ll have to wait a few more weeks to experience the ambiance of this new Luxembourg dining spot.
Photos: KACHEN