Oka - Fogo, Raphael Rego's dream restaurant
Among the notable new restaurants at the start of 2024, that of chef Raphael Rego has made its mark with a double opening: Oka and Fogo.
Juggling two establishments is exciting, but it was only for a short time for Raphael Rego. The Brazilian chef has found a dream location in Paris where he can bring together his two restaurants, Oka and Fogo.
One address, two worlds
Ten years ago, Raphael Rego opened a first version of Oka ("house" in Tupi-Guarani, an Amerindian language) in the 9ᵉ arrondissement of Paris. In 2017, Gault&Millau named him Jeune Talent before awarding him the Dotation Jeunes Talents which enabled him to open Oka, a second version, 20 covers, topped very quickly with 3 toques. At the same time, Fogo (Portuguese for fire) was born, a table guided by the embers of the fire.
As the years went by, the chef saw " a real desire to have a unique place where people could see the two ways " in which he and his teams cook.
It's at 8 rue Meissonier in Paris's 17ᵉ arrondissement that the project takes shape. "On the one hand, more than a restaurant, more than a bistro, a place to live. The kind of table where I like to go and eat with family or friends ": Fogo, on the other Oka. With the latter, the chef aims to showcase his talent. " I don't want people to come to the restaurant to have an Oka experience, but rather an experience with me, so they can understand who I am."
Fogo cooking, "is really about controlling the ember in its state. This method of cooking requires a lot of care, because you won't be able to cook a fresh carrot in the same way as one that's already three days old. "
The chef's greatest source of pride in this project? " Being able to be physically present in both places at the same time, and with his teams too. There are no distinctions: you work at the gastro, you work at the bistro. Everyone evolves.
- Oka, 16 covers, 4 courses, evening only, Tuesday to Friday.
- Fogo, 30 covers, Monday to Saturday, lunch and dinner.
These news might interest you
Our partners
Food products, kitchen equipment, tableware, service solutions...
See the full list of partners who place their trust in Gault&Millau
All our partners
