Usually when a man meets a woman and is drawn down the path of vegetarianism, his life is pretty much over in any meaningful sense, but for Cyril Aouizerate it was the catalyst that helped realise his dream of a philosophy inspired restaurant – a dream that had been swirling around inside his head for 20 years.
While studying the works of eminent Middle Ages thinker Maimonides way back when, Cyril came across his theory on combining vegetables, fruit and spices for improved health. Following his dietary conversion a few years ago, a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge inspired the creation of M.O.B. (Maimonides Of Brooklyn), a restaurant centred around the food philosophy which had continued to buzz around in Cyril’s head in the intervening years. M.O.B. was also a celebration of cultural diversity, avoiding the hipster ‘hoods such as Williamsburg and instead choosing a more authentic melting pot on Atlantic Avenue.
Now there’s a second M.O.B. in Paris, at Cité de la Mode et du Design – both were a collaboration with architects Kristian Gavoille and Valerie Garcia. Although this is France, diners will be in no doubt as to the origins of the restaurant as they gaze around the dining hall; there’s no missing that prominent Stars and Stripes augmented with the all-important bridge, or the President’s mug on the pop-culture curtain full of famous and historical faces.
Photography, Francis Amiand
