French Market Comes to Rumson

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By Christina Johnson
RUMSON – A new French-inspired food market with fresh baked goods is coming to East River Road.
The French Market is scheduled to open on July 10, in the 550-square foot space formerly known as Le Bon Panier. French pastries, breads, salads, sandwiches and fresh juice will be available beginning at 6 a.m. The shelves will be stocked with gourmet imported foods for purchase.
Soon after, an equally large seasonal retail greenhouse will open, which will also be used as a private room for catered parties. “The concept is something I’ve been dreaming about for many years,” said design professional Carli Windsor of Fair Haven, one of three partners behind the new market. When the building with the interesting arched windows came on the market, the idea went from paper to possibility.
“This is really a special building. It almost looks like it’s in the South of France,” she said. “It just needs a little more upscale design, and we can really bring it to the next level. It’s going to be very modern. The aesthetic is going to be special.”
Windsor’s other partners are fashion design and merchandising professional Pamela Best, and Best’s husband Robert Smith, an interior designer who has experience with greenhouse plants. All of their special talents will be showcased in the market, currently under construction. Plans call for the building to be recast with a dark façade with brass detailing, accented by landscaping in a palette of seasonal color. The interior of the café area will have a bright white, clean modern look, and there will be exposed beam ceilings, antique wood walls, blue stone floors, marble serving counters and a brand new quality bakery oven.
“We’re totally renovating the store to give it a brand new look and feel,” said Robert Smith, of Neptune. “There will be plenty of opportunities to browse and shop while they’re eating. People will be invited to linger.”
Chef Laurent Chavenet, 44, will be behind the counter, and he plans to offer French fare with an American twist. Born near Lyon and educated in the culinary arts in Nice, Chavenet began his career with a bakery in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. In 2001 he came to Staten Island where he runs The French Tart bake shops, some with small bistros.
“We are going to bring a little bit of Paris to Rumson,” said Chavenet. “Paris, but with an American twist.”
Chavenet said he will be in place at 4:30 a.m., preparing fresh baked crispy baguettes, croissants, pains au chocolat and muffins for the morning. There will also be sweet and savory crepes to order, a variety of homemade quiches, classic French ham-cheese-and-butter sandwiches and the famous warm melted croque monsieur.