About
Le Gamin Cafe/Crêperie™ and Les Deux Gamins™ were founded by its French owner, Robert Arbor, in 1992 on Macdougal Street in Soho. Le Gamin expanded to become a local chain of cafes known for its authentic casual French ambiance, popular neighborhood feel, fresh food and signature crêpes.
The tartine and tradition of serving French cafe au lait in a bowl was started here and Robert is known for bringing breakfast downtown by opening at 8am everyday.
New, New Yorkers
Le Gamin is now serving a second generation of New Yorkers after 2 decades in NYC, and moving our locations to Brooklyn along with many of our clients that have also crossed the East River. We continue to serve fine basic French comfort food made from seasonal and locally sourced ingredients before comfort food and “farm to table” became a trend i.e. our first jams were sourced from the tiny Union Square Market when it was open only on Saturdays for a few hours with a handful of vendors that quickly sold out of products.
Inspiration in the West Village and Soho
Le Gamin’s early clientele were actors, artists, gallery owners, photographers who lived in the Village and Soho.
Some of our early customers include Kate Moss, Amber Valleta, Brad Pitt, Alex de Betak, Angela McCluskey, Inez and Vinoodh, Uma Thurman, Keith McNally, Patti Smith, and Johny Depp. Robert then went on to open the groundbreaking and much beloved LES DEUX GAMINS in the West Village that catered to NYC’s creative class and became the model for many bistrots and cafes that proliferate the NYC landscape today. LES DEUX GAMINS was the location for Ed Burns first classic and iconic independent film in 1995, THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN.
Le Gamin today
In 2021 in a serendipitous coincidence, during the Covid pandemic with the city lockdowns and an empty restaurant space for rent less than a mile from the family’s new farm in Litchfield County, Robert decided to open Le Gamin Studio Agraire in Sharon, CT which he is operating with his son who had recently returned from working in France.
Today, in addition to the signature cafes, Le Gamin, continues its brand extension and bringing their expertise to large national events such as the US OPEN/USTA at Forest Hills, US OPEN Indian Wells, California, FÊTE PARADISO/Governor’s Island, and SCOPE /ART BASEL Miami. Local participation in events such as CMJ, Brooklyn and the High Line NYC Launch party are examples of the diverse range of catering available.
Robert Arbor is also the author of the well received memoir/cookbook JOIE DE VIVRE, published in 2003 & currently in its third printing. He is also the spokesperson and consultant on many Franco-NYC projects working with French Chateaux and brands to expand their operations to NYC. He has been the spokesperson for RED BICYCLETTE wines, worked with RANGE ROVER USA events and most recently was pivotal in launching the NYC branch of the popular Parisian restaurant, Le Coq Rico.
