The French-Belgian chef leading a West Hollywood culinary renaissance.
Chef & Restaurateur
Born and raised in Belgium and France, Chef Raphael Francois is a driving force behind West Hollywood’s culinary renaissance. A veteran of Michelin-starred kitchens in Europe, he brought his lifelong love of French cuisine and great wine to West Hollywood, where he helmed the acclaimed Tesse, Boutellier Wines and Fanny’s at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Raphael was filmed at Fanny’s at the Academy Museum and at Tesse on the Sunset Strip.
“Ever since I was a teenager, my dream was to move to America. I was at Le Cirque in New York City for a few years, and then I started a small bistro in Washington D.C. called Le DeSales. Now West Hollywood is my home. This is where I pitched my tent.”
Chef Raphael in the kitchen at Tesse
“The dining scene in West Hollywood is booming. We are happy to be in the middle of that popping movement.”
“Having traveled many places in the world, I found in West Hollywood the eclectic side, the diversity – the craziness as well, because West Hollywood is very particular. Its own ecosystem where people can be whatever they want, whenever they want. There is a kind of free spirit, and we all love it.”
