Blog

Anglet sees the rebirth of
the renowned restaurant La Concha, eager to regain its former glory. Under the leadership of Laurent Salles, this iconic place is transforming to offer a friendly experience, merging the charm of a morning café with the liveliness of musical evenings. Through ambitious work, La Concha aims to redefine its identity while maintaining its strong connection with the neighborhood and its culinary traditions.

What changes will spark renewed interest in La Concha?

The restaurant La Concha, located at La Barre, is at the heart of a vast transformation. Once renowned for its refined cuisine and warm atmosphere, the establishment underwent a prolonged closure due to judicial liquidation. Today, Laurent Salles, a visionary and passionate entrepreneur, has acquired the business. With renovation work valued at nearly two million euros, he aims to offer a vibrant living space throughout the day and into the evening.

This extensive renovation will restore La Concha’s status as a reference point. Since 1970, the restaurant has witnessed many moments of camaraderie and gathering. The artisans are at work rethinking the entirety of the premises, which have not been modernized since 1991. Natural light will soon flood the space through a large bay window offering breathtaking views of the Adour and the ocean. These changes aim to attract not only former customers but also new regulars drawn by this renewed atmosphere.

What will be the specifics of the new menu?

Once the renovations are completed and the restaurant welcomes guests again on April 1^st, 2025, chef Benjamin Besson, drawing on his experience at Ducasse, will take charge of the kitchen. He will support an approach based on seasonality, with a carefully crafted menu that includes varied options, notably fresh fish, seafood, and succulent cuts of meat. The financial aspect of the offering will also be considered: dishes starting from 16 euros and lunch formulas that are accessible.

This new menu aims to be appealing and in line with the expectations of today’s consumers. Customers can also expect a sharing experience, with round tables accommodating up to 12 people. The friendly aspect will be enhanced to encourage exchanges and reunions.

How does La Concha integrate into the neighborhood?

Laurent Salles envisions a restaurant that is not just a gastronomic space but truly a place of life accessible to all. The return of La Concha to the La Barre neighborhood meets a need for social connection, particularly strong in such shared spaces. The idea is also to include outdoor arrangements to fully enjoy sunny days. For this purpose, a removable space for 200 people will be available for informal events such as cocktail dinners and outdoor dining.

This commitment to becoming a true meeting point for families, young parents, and seniors contributes to enhancing local dynamics. In this perspective, La Concha aims to collaborate with other stakeholders around quality events.

What impact will La Concha have on the local community?

By partnering with neighboring establishments and participating in neighborhood life, La Concha aspires to become a partner of Hormadi, the local ice hockey team. Like its past initiatives, this could attract supporters and create enriching interactions before or after Ligue Magnus matches. This type of synergy with other businesses and activities aims to revive the community while adding a touch of gastronomy to the local sports culture.

Laurent Salles not only desires to renovate a building but also to contribute to weaving social ties. He hopes that La Concha will be a place where laughter, discussions, and reunions merge around good meals. The kitchen will be a means of expression to bring people together and celebrate precious moments.

What facilities are planned to host different types of events?

In addition to the redesign of the ground floor, which will cover approximately 750 m², La Concha also plans a 250 m² upper floor intended for private parties and professional seminars. This space will offer ideal flexibility for varied events, enhancing the establishment’s capacity while optimizing its use.

This diversified strategy includes the idea of comfort and adaptability. Thus, groups of any size will find an appropriate atmosphere. Partners and professionals will be able to meet away from the daily hustle, allowing participants to exchange in an inspiring setting. This event dimension will promote La Concha’s notoriety and attract clients looking for an unusual place to celebrate various moments of life.

What measures are in place for ecological management?

Aware of current environmental challenges, Laurent Salles has also directed his project towards increased sustainability. From energy-efficient renovations to the use of less polluting materials, every aspect of La Concha’s development is designed to have a minimal impact on the planet. This approach is all the more noteworthy given that the restaurant sector is often criticized for its energy consumption.

The future arrangements aim to reduce energy needs through better insulation and wisely chosen equipment. By favoring environmentally friendly alternatives, La Concha seeks to inspire other stakeholders in gastronomy to follow this responsible path. The restaurant thus wishes to place ecology at the heart of its concerns while delighting its guests.

The restaurant La Concha at La Barre is preparing to regain its noble title after a prolonged closure period. Under the direction of Laurent Salles, the establishment is committed to offering guests a high-quality culinary experience in a completely renovated setting. The artisans are working diligently to transform this iconic place, with a reopening scheduled for April 1, 2025.

This ambitious project includes a considerable investment aimed at reinventing the restaurant while preserving its soul. The introduction of round tables promoting sharing among guests promises unforgettable convivial moments. With a menu revisiting seafood and meat classics, the establishment intends to delight all palates.

Beyond the interior, the exterior will not be neglected with a modular terrace, ready to host summer evenings under the stars. The goal is clear: to make La Concha a crossroads of meetings and exchanges, while remaining an active partner of Hormadi, thereby strengthening ties with the local community.