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Creative Minds

Creative Mind: Dominique Crenn

For her latest restaurant, Monsieur Dior, which is set atop the brand’s flagship on Rodeo Drive, her bold specialties reverberate against a splashy dining room designed by Peter Marino, anchored by a vibrant mural by Nicole Wittenberg

By Jacqueline Terrebonne
Chef preparing a dish in a professional kitchen, focusing on presentation and details, with a plate of salad nearby.
Dominique Crenn. Photo: Heather Sten

With her mastery of French technique and flair for bringing out the best in local produce, Dominique Crenn has set herself apart with her distinctive take on modern cuisine. Dining at her revered Michelin three-star Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, where a pescatarian-focused menu reflects her childhood summers in Brittany, has become a must on any foodie’s bucket list. She continues to burnish her sterling reputation with her culinary roles with Les Bateaux Belmond river barges across France and Café Dior by Dominique Crenn in Dallas.

Person standing in a restaurant with colorful wall art and patterned chairs in the background.
Dominique Crenn. Photo: HEATHER STEN

For her latest restaurant, Monsieur Dior, which is set atop the brand’s new flagship, on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, her bold specialties reverberate against a splashy dining room designed by Peter Marino, anchored by a vibrant mural by Nicole Wittenberg, and accented with an abundance of Dior Maison tableware. “Every dish is an homage to a gown, muse, and iconic moment in time,” says Crenn. “Inspired by the luminous legacy of stars in Dior, the menu echoes the refinement of the house’s most recognizable creations and red-carpet looks. We reinterpreted that visual artwork into flavor with each plate inspired by couture.”

Gourmet dish with decorative black lace garnish, topped on ravioli, drizzled with sauce from a white pitcher.
Photo: DAVID KATZ
Elegant gourmet dish with green fillings, delicate flowers, and decorative bread on a transparent, patterned plate.
Avocado Lime & Shiso “Taco.” Photo: DAVID KATZ
Decorative cake with pink rose pattern and floral design on a white plate.
Coconut Rosé tart Photo: JONATHAN TAYLOR
Brightly decorated restaurant with patterned chairs, white tablecloths, a colorful mural, and a view of palm trees outside.
Dominique Crenn’s newest restaurant, Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn, in Los Angeles. Photo: JONATHAN TAYLOR

Creative philosophy: “To me, cuisine is both refined and generous, a delicate dance between simplicity and elegance, nature and imagination. I see a meal as art: Each dish is layered with intent, emotion, and respect for the ingredients.”

Elegant dish with deep red edible flowers and small white meringue drops on a white plate against a light background.
The Tuna Violette Bouquet. Photo: DAVID KATZ
Gourmet dish with layers of truffle slices and orange petals on a textured glass plate.
Uni, potato, and black truffle. Photo: DAVID KATZ
Glass dish with black and white houndstooth design lid on plate, next to a basket of madeleine cookies on a white background.
Caviar service. Photo: DAVID KATZ

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2026 Spring Issue in the section “Creative Minds.” Subscribe to the magazine.