They say if walls could talk, ours would sing La Vie en Rose.
I came to Ireland with no English, a head full of dreams, and hands ready to work. My first job? Kitchen porter. Not glamorous, but it was the start of everything.
In May 2005, Chez Max opened its doors. A humble bistro with Paris in its bones and Dublin at its doorstep. Back then, we didn’t know the impact it would have. This May, we turned 20, and through the years, we were the lucky witnesses to love stories and met incredibly talented people. We also received an award as World’s French Restaurant Award from the Association Française des Maîtres Restaurateurs, and saw our old staff open their dream places in New Zealand and Benin.
We’ve been through it all: Covid, rising taxes, and a full kitchen rebuild that nearly drove us mad.
What makes it all worth it? That people still walk in, take a breath, and say: “It feels like France in here.” It was not too long ago when a lovely customer told us that one of our old film photos – From La Bonne Annee – reminded her of home, as her parents were extras in the movie. This was a great reminder of what Chez Max means: not just French food, but a feeling of home for anyone who’s ever missed it.
Twenty years of boeuf bourguignon, croque-monsieur, crème brûlée, clinking glasses, laughter on the terrace — and a few heartbreaks too. This place has seen it all.
We marked the moment our way: 25 staff, a five-tier cheesecake, a champagne toast, and our beautiful Peugeot 404 out front, like always.
20 years. Still hungry. Still grateful.
Merci to all of you who’ve made this possible.
Written by Max DeLaloubie
All photos are taken by Barbara McCarthy
