Photo by DYLAN + JENI
French techniques and Southern California soul define Marché Moderne’s philosophy. The traditional ethos of French cooking and the laid-back atmosphere of Newport Beach are not at odds; rather, they complement each other.
The restaurant, which opened its doors in 2007 in the ICONIC South Coast Plaza and later relocated to Newport Beach, was created by chefs Florent Marneau and Amelia Marneau. The dynamic husband-and-wife duo have been running the restaurant since its inception, and have curated a menu that melds traditional French cuisine with fresh coastal ingredients.
Photo by Ron De Angelis
“The base is very French—good sauces, proper stocks, precise cooking of fish and meat, attention to detail. This is the backbone of everything we do,” Florent says. “Where we push a little is with Californian ingredients—local seafood, vegetables and more lightness. The technique stays French, but the expression feels modern and more relaxed, but still very elevated.”
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This contemporary take on traditional French cooking is what has established Marché Moderne as a staple restaurant in Newport Beach. Over the past several years, the restaurant has become a regular spot for locals and a must-try for visitors. Florent attributes this to offering a variety of high-quality menu items, from French bistro classics to their tasting menu.
“Our guests love Amelia’s salads and desserts. They’re fresh, balanced and beautiful. They bring a special start or finish to the meal,” he says.
Photo by DYLAN + JENI.
This fusion culinary experience flows effortlessly into the restaurant’s ambiance. The atmosphere has an air of elegance but with an effortlessly relaxing twist. From the formal dining room to the bar, Florent says the key to achieving this welcoming experience for guests lies in quality customer service.
“We aim for warm and elegant but very welcoming with genuine service,” he notes. “We have also been fortunate that many of our kitchen and front-of-house team have been with us for well over a decade. They are like family to us. We want guests to feel well taken care of, without feeling stiff or intimidated. Good food, good wine and a welcoming team—that’s the atmosphere we try to create every day.”
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At its core, Florent and Amelia have created a storied legacy with Marché Moderne that cannot be replicated. The restaurant is a reflection of their genuine love for hospitality, quality ingredients and the community of accomplished staff and guests.
“After 18 years, I think our legacy is consistency, dedication to craft and real hospitality. We have guests who have been with us since the beginning, and we have cooks who have grown in our kitchen and gone on to lead their own teams and servers who have seen multiple generations of families dine with us now,” Florent says. “For me, that is the legacy—staying true to who we are and taking care of our community.”
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