Chef Paul O'Connell opened Chez Henri, the French restaurant with a Latin twist, in Cambridge in 1994. Chez Henri was named best new restaurant that year by both Esquire and Bon Appetite and has gone on to win several Best of Boston awards including "Best Fusion," "Best French Restaurant," "Best Cocktail: Mojito," and "Best First Date Restaurant."
Upon graduating from Johnson and Wales University, Paul worked with several of Boston's top chefs, including Lydia Shire at the Parker House Hotel, Jasper White at the eponymous Restaurant Jasper, Chris Schlesinger at the East Coast Grill and with Todd English as opening sous chef at Olives in Charlestown. While working with these chefs Paul learned the importance of using locally grown and raised foods and honed his skills in wood-fire grilling and pastries.
In 1993, Paul opened his first restaurant, Providence, in Brookline, which received critical acclaim including three stars from the Boston Globe and recognition from both Esquire and Gourmet. Paul closed Providence in 2000 and now focuses solely on Chez Henri.