Jean Cocteau once remarked, “Paris will be foutu the day that Maxim’s disappears.” But somehow, everyone survived the Rue Royale stalwart’s recent years-long shutdown. Maxim’s returned just in time to celebrate its 130th birthday, and there are more eyes on its alarmingly opulent Art Nouveau décor—a listed French historical monument—than ever. Now this grande dame has been relaunched by Paris Society, a rapidly growing restaurant and events group owned by entrepreneurial restaurateur Laurent de Gourcuff. The French press has heralded him as the new king of Parisian nightlife, and he specializes in a hybrid restaurant-nightclub with lots of atmosphere, over-the-top décor, and good food. There’s a little bit of la vie en rose on the Rue Royale again after all. —Alexander Lobrano