Known throughout Manhattan’s restaurant circles as consummate restaurateurs, adjectives like “warm and welcoming”, “gracious and genteel” are commonly attached to the names of Rita and André Jammet, who owned and operated La Caravelle, one of New York’s great French restaurant icons, for two decades.

Their story is as glamorous as their restaurant. He, the son of one of Europe’s great families of restaurateurs and hoteliers: the Bristol Hotel, Mr. Jammet’s birthplace, built by Mr. Jammet’s father, one of the grand palace hotels of Paris, and the only to survive the Paris occupation during World War II. Mr. Jammet helped run the Bristol until his family sold the property in 1978. Mrs. Jammet was born in Saudi Arabia, educated and raised in Lebanon and Switzerland, where she graduated from the University of Geneva. A blend of business savvy and gracious charm.

In 1980, the newlyweds moved from Paris to New York where Mr. Jammet became the assistant manager of the Regency Hotel and Mrs. Jammet worked in the cultural services of the French Embassy. Quickly becoming a part of New York, the couple was welcomed warmly by the New York community, and instantly felt like New York was the home they always longed for.

In 1984, Mr. Jammet became a partner at the renowned La Caravelle restaurant, and in 1988, the Jammets became sole proprietors. Over the next two decades, the husband and wife team oversaw every aspect of the operation of La Caravelle, bucking the trend of other French restaurants, hiring young American, even Japanese chefs who breathed new life into the cuisine while never losing the classic dishes that made it unique. The Jammets received a number of awards and distinctions for their outstanding achievement in fine dining in New York. In 2004, La Caravelle was nominated by the James Beard Foundation for its prestigious Most Outstanding Restaurant in the Country award. Since closing the restaurant in May 2004, Mr. Jammet has joined the Metropolitan Club and Mrs. Jammet is consulting in the hospitality field.

In addition to their business contributions, the Jammets give back to the community with participation in: “The Days of Taste”, with The American Institute of Wine & Food, the New York State Restaurant Association’s Manhattan Chapter Board of Directors and the Food Council of City Harvest. Last but not least, Mrs. Jammet is a member of the Restaurant Committee of NYC and Company.