Tallahassee’s French dining scene is about to grow in a very exciting way.
Chef Hervé, owner of the beloved Little Paris in the Market District, is opening a second restaurant concept in the former Lucilla space on Lafayette Street. While his second location shares the same heart and passion guests have come to love, this new restaurant aims to offer an elevated experience.
The new restaurant will be called Lafayette, a fitting name inspired both by the historic French figure Marquis de Lafayette and the restaurant’s location on Lafayette Street itself. Chef Hervé shared that history has always fascinated him, even long before taking over the space. In fact, he explained, “Given that the restaurant is located on Lafayette Street, the name for the establishment simply suggested itself.”
From Humble Beginnings to Tallahassee Favorite
For Chef Hervé, this next chapter represents far more than simply opening another restaurant. It’s the continuation of a journey that began decades ago. “I grew up in a very modest—even poor—family,” he shared, explaining that he began working at a very young age before eventually finding his first kitchen job at just 15 years old alongside his brother and sister. This June marks an incredible 27 years working in restaurants without pause.
Seven years ago, Chef Hervé made the move from France to America, choosing Tallahassee specifically because he saw opportunity here. That leap eventually led to the opening of Little Paris, a restaurant that quickly earned a devoted local following and helped introduce many Tallahassee diners to his style of French cuisine and hospitality.
Over the years, cooking transformed from work into passion, and passion into purpose. As Chef Hervé explained, “When you work in a kitchen and it becomes your passion, your goals are to become a chef and restaurant owner, and to pass on your knowledge.”
After seven years building Little Paris into one of Tallahassee’s most adored dining destinations, Chef Hervé said he was ready for a new challenge.
Why Lafayette Instead of a Second Little Paris?
Rather than duplicating Little Paris, Lafayette will introduce a more refined dining experience with elevated cuisine, classic French-style hospitality, a full bar, and an atmosphere designed for guests to truly slow down and savor the evening.
He shared that the vision for Lafayette includes a more traditional French style of service, complete with white tablecloths, beautifully set tables, and the polished hospitality he learned in French hospitality school. Guests can also expect a full bar experience, something many diners have long hoped to see from one of Chef Hervé’s concepts. While the team awaits final licensing approvals, a newly installed bar is already in place and will eventually serve a wide variety of cocktails.
Chef Hervé also shared that he hopes to open Lafayette within the next 3–4 weeks, pending final approval of the restaurant’s liquor license.
The menu itself is still in development, though Chef Hervé shared that the focus will remain on flavor and high-quality ingredients, with perhaps “a few Italian touches” quietly making their way onto the menu.
A New Chapter Inside the Former Lucilla Space
The location itself already carries tremendous emotional weight for Tallahassee diners. The former Lucilla space has long been admired for its warmth and charm, and Chef Hervé immediately saw its potential. One feature he especially loves is the ability to see the entire dining room from the kitchen, allowing him to stay deeply connected to the guest experience at all times.
Outside, guests will discover a refreshed patio space complete with new seating, overhead coverage, fans for comfort, and lounge-style sofa seating designed for cocktails, appetizers, and relaxed evenings outdoors. The upgraded patio will also allow the restaurant to comfortably host larger gatherings and private events.
Chef Hervé also shared that he personally arranged and decorated much of the outdoor area himself, helping shape the inviting atmosphere guests will soon experience.
Cocktails, Elevated Cuisine, and Slower Evenings
Chef Hervé says the goal is for guests to fully settle into the experience and enjoy a slower, more intentional evening together. “I would like people to take the time to eat and enjoy their evening at Lafayette immersed in a chic yet relaxed atmosphere,” he shared, adding that in true French fashion, he hopes guests finish the evening with a fine digestif, perhaps Cognac or Armagnac, to properly close out a beautiful meal.
In addition to dinner service, Lafayette also plans to host brunches featuring live music, along with private events including weddings, baby showers, and celebrations.
What’s Next for Chef Hervé
And perhaps most exciting of all for Tallahassee’s ever-growing food scene, Chef Hervé hinted this may not be the end of his expansion journey. He shared that he still has “one or two other projects in mind.”
With Little Paris thriving in Market Street and Lafayette preparing to bring elevated French dining to the capitol corridor area, it’s clear Chef Hervé is helping shape an exciting new era for Tallahassee dining.
Find Lafayette in Tallahassee at:
Socials – Coming soon.
Address – 1241 E Lafayette St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
