A closer look at Le Petit Paris Café with GM Santiago D’Vivero
Get to know the special details that make Le Petit Paris Café a culinary icon in Jacksonville, as shared by Santiago D’Vivero – General Manager – Le Petit Paris, in this lovely interview.
They say people are the heart of any great business, and Santiago is a perfect example. With warmth and care, he brings a different kind of experience to guests—overseeing everything from staff training and guidance to ensuring quality service and products that customers keep coming back for.
We began our conversation in the café’s garden at the Southside location, near an olive tree, while sipping a seasonal lavender latte. Delicious! I asked about the variety of plants I noticed, and he pointed out passionfruit, rosemary, and lavender—used not only in food but in their drinks too.
It all started with the vision of Alex Chezaud, the owner and creative force behind Le Petit Paris. Born and raised in Paris, France, Alex dreamed of bringing a cozy café with high-quality, healthy products and an authentic Parisian feel to Jacksonville.
His idea became a reality with the opening of a four-café concept across the city. “We want people to have a spot for their lunch break where they can truly relax, even if it’s just for half an hour,” says Santiago D’Vivero, General Manager of the café.
This Quiche Deserves the Spotlight
I had heard a lot about Alex’s mom’s Quiche Lorraine recipe, and Santiago shared:
“The recipe is from Alex’s mom. She taught us, and we added our own special touch. Now it’s one of our most popular dishes. It takes us 8 to 12 hours to make just one tray of quiche. That’s why we have this big kitchen—to make them here and then distribute them to the other locations.”
Quiche is a classic French tart made with a buttery pastry crust and a savory custard filling. It often includes ingredients like cheese, meats, seafood, or vegetables. One of the most well-known versions is the Quiche Lorraine, traditionally made with bacon or lardons.
True to Paris
Santiago told me that many people ask: “Why don’t you put the menu on big wall screens with pictures of the dishes?”And he explains: “We want to stay true to our Parisian roots. In Paris, you don’t see huge menu boards with photos. But we do have small screens so customers can order directly without waiting in line. And we’ve also added a few fusion dishes like the egg sandwich—something not typically French but something we know people here enjoy.”
That led me to ask about the core values that define the Le Petit Paris Café experience, and Santiago responded: “We stick to our core values of genuine customer service. I can teach someone how to make coffee, how to serve food—but I can’t teach them how to truly care for the customer. That comes from within.”
“We always tell our staff: take the time you need to make things right, as if you were preparing it for yourself. And always stay connected to our Parisian traditions. Even something simple, like a seasonal iced lavender latte—if you don’t mix the syrup, milk, and coffee well, or if you rush it, it impacts the experience for the customer.”
Local Collabs
I’ve been a regular at this café for a while, especially at the Atlantic Beach location, but I started noticing new openings and some great community events in Southside. I asked Santiago about that, and he shared:
“We’ve been running a pilot program. For the past two months, we’ve been open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and on those days we host events. Right now, they’re weekly: bingo night, art nights where local artists come in and paint, and some nights we even have live music.”
“Soon, we’ll host an event with local vendors who’ll set up booths and we’ll have live music too. So people can come, eat, enjoy drinks, shop, and support local makers—like a mini market.”
Final Thought
Le Petit Paris Café has heart, soul, and a truly unique offering in Jacksonville. I invite you to stop by—ideally before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m.—for a peaceful, cozy, and relaxing experience. 📍 Southside Location: 7111 Bentley Rd #1, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Merci!
— Patty K.
Image: E Weekly News.
