Marcus Jernmark Opens Marée, a Parisian-Californian Cafe Above His Michelin-Starred Lielle

# What opened and where

# What the food is like Marée's menu blends Parisian classics with California ingredients and seasonality. Signature starters and small plates include Rouge de Bordeaux levain with cultured butter, escargot beignets, and a Salt Spring mussels "gratin." Raw and chilled items are represented by a Caledonian blue prawn cocktail "mi-cuit" and halibut crudo with late summer citrus. The kitchen also turns out housemade pastas and heartier brasserie-style dishes such as a hamburger au poivre finished with a four-pepper sauce.

The wine program rotates wines by the glass, supporting the casual wine-bar vibe and encouraging short or lingering visits.

# The dining format and service model Marée will open for dinner at 5 p.m., seven nights a week beginning its second week of service. The chef's counter and the bar are set aside exclusively for walk-in guests, and the dining room will also take walk-ins when space allows. Jernmark envisions fluid movement between the two rooms in a single evening: guests could dine early at Lielle and come upstairs to Marée for wine and cheese, or start at Marée and go downstairs later for the tasting experience.

# The dining room and design Design studio Lovers Unite collaborated with Andrea Jernmark to craft a warm European-cafe atmosphere. Key elements include high ceilings, weathered walls, vintage mirrors, and metal accents in zinc and copper. A green onyx marble-topped bar with clam pendant lights anchors the room. An open kitchen with a chef's counter looks into the dining area to keep the service informal and visible.

# How Marée fits with Jernmark's wider plans

# Practical details

# What to expect on your visit Expect a bright, airy upstairs room that contrasts with Lielle's subterranean setting. The menu will run through small plates, raw preparations, house pastas, and fuller brasserie dishes. Wine by the glass and a casual bar program make Marée suitable for a quick drink and snack or a full evening of dining that might include a later visit downstairs at Lielle.