Villa René Lalique
The dining room
The front-of-house spirit
As you enter the restaurant of the Villa René Lalique, you will first be dazzled by the magnificent glass rectangle in which it is housed, designed by internationally renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta. A true tribute to nature, it stands on columns of pink Vosges sandstone, overlooking the park and adorned with a green roof.
Next, soak up the delightful ambience created by Restaurant Manager, Hervé Schmitt, who will envelop you in heartfelt smiles, making you feel instantly at home in this unique setting.
With a hint of humour, just the right tone and informative answers to your questions, our dining room team will accompany you on your discovery of this exceptional establishment, with its refined décor and unique tableware, very often created exclusively for the Villa by the Maison Lalique in collaboration with other leading design houses.
Hervé Schmitt, Restaurant Manager
Hervé Schmitt began his career in the kitchen, then moved on to the dining room and soon to the world of sommellerie. He worked in a number of top establishments, from the Hôtel Normandy in Deauville to the Royal Riviera in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, before making remarkable progress at the Relais de la Poste in La Wantzenau (awarded 1 star in the Michelin Guide), winning the distinction of finalist in the "Best Sommelier in France" competition in 2008 and the title of "Sommelier of the Year 2014" by the Pudlowski Guide.
Since 2019, he has been Head Sommelier at the Villa René Lalique restaurant, working alongside Romain Iltis. In 2021, he took up the position of Restaurant Manager deploying his managerial skills while continuing to nurture his love of sommellerie.
His modern approach gives the restaurant a unique feel, where goodwill reigns supreme and everyone is made to feel at ease. Observation, availability and adaptation are the key words that he champions with his team who, with a warm smile, advise guests on food and wine pairings, explain the Chef's signature dishes and help transform moments of togetherness into truly unforgettable experiences.
Imparting his passion and enthusiasm, encouraging his team and helping them to progress are just some of the missions to which Hervé is deeply committed. Not forgetting championing a company in which he invests tirelessly, keen as he is to tell the story of the Lalique brand through exceptional tableware that is often the fruit of original collaborations with companies such as Peugeot, Christofle and Windfall, to name but a few.
Hervé Schmitt is one of Lalique's most valued ambassadors, orchestrating a veritable tablescape of glasses and decanters from the 100 Points Glassware Collection designed by Lalique in collaboration with revered American wine critic, James Suckling.