Nestled in the heart of New York City’s West Village neighborhood stands an iconic French restaurant that has been the go-to dining spot for celebrities and food enthusiasts alike since 1980. La Ripaille, a beloved eatery known for its authentic French cuisine, is set to close its doors as its owner, Alain Laurent, prepares to retire after more than four decades in the business. The historic restaurant, along with the five-story building that houses it at 605 Hudson Street, has been put up for sale, marking the end of an era for this cherished culinary gem.
La Ripaille’s guest book reads like a who’s who of famous clientele, featuring signatures from Leonardo DiCaprio, Anne Hathaway, Sylvester Stallone, soccer legend Pelé, baseball great Derek Jeter, pop star Madonna, and author Salman Rushdie. Despite its prime location in a trendy neighborhood, the restaurant managed to thrive for decades with a seating capacity of only 40 guests spread across 14 tables.
The name “La Ripaille” is derived from an old French expression meaning “to feast,” and indeed, diners have delighted in dishes such as Laurent’s famous broccoli mousse, cassoulet, escargots prepared with basil, cream, tomato, and butter, wild mushroom flambée in cognac under a pastry puff, ravioli de homard, branzino with ginger, and the classic filet mignon au poivre et frites.
However, the daily demands of operating such a popular restaurant took its toll on Laurent and his family. He found himself spending six to seven days a week at the restaurant, even during major holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day. Now, he looks forward to spending more time with his wife, children, and grandson in his retirement.
Alain Laurent initially pursued a career in banking before falling in love with French cuisine while visiting his brother in New York City. He began working at French restaurants first as a busboy, then as a waiter, eventually realizing that he could run his own establishment. In 1986, he purchased the five-story building that houses La Ripaille for $900,000, which also includes ten rental units above the restaurant.
Now priced at $17 million, the property offers a prime West Village location overlooking Abington Square, near Google’s headquarters, Hudson River Park, art galleries, and the Whitney Museum. Co-listing brokers Laurie Cooper, Daniela Rivoir, and Michael Cooper of Douglas Elliman envision the building being transformed into a private members club after its acquisition by a new owner.
As La Ripaille prepares to serve its final appetizer of escargots, it leaves behind a legacy of exquisite French cuisine and memorable experiences for both its staff and clientele. Its closure signals not just the end of an era but also the beginning of new possibilities as the West Village neighborhood continues to evolve.
