Balad'âne

What initially draws the eye, right in front of us, is the lake hemmed in by wooded banks – the location alone is worth seeing. But above all there is the remarkable work of the chef – after all, that's what we came for… He excels at transforming fine ingredients (scallops hot-pâté style; Breton lobster with raspberries, dried caviar and mizuna; pigeon breast roasted and smoked on the barbecue). His trompe l'œil desserts are at once amusing and delicious (apricot, lemon, chestnut – depending on the season). For fans of truffles, the chef serves a truffle menu all year round: it wouldn't seem r

In a trendy bistro interior, you will sample good food crafted by an enthusiastic chef. The long list of local producers with whom he works is emblematic of his mindset. A few examples: a salad of razor clams and lentils from Trept; mallard duck cooked two ways and garnished with braised chicory and an offal-flavoured gravy; Chartreuse-flavoured baba…

In his "country-style restaurant with a wood fire" (Lo Fieu means "fire" in the local dialect), Romain Hubert and his friendly young team work hard to keep the traditional cuisine of the Dauphiné region alive. A series of comforting and flavourful dishes are prepared right in front of you: soup from the cauldron with Trept chickpea , fried fish from Lake Bourget, sausage (pork or fish) served with gratin dauphinois, and then there is the trolley packed with appetising desserts. The converted barn, which has been restored in a rustic style and wows with its impressive dimensions, provides the p

Originally a modest inn opened in 1822, this Vienne institution was made famous by the emblematic couple of Mado and Fernand Point in the early 20C. It was taken over by Patrick Henriroux in 1989 and has since continued to evolve on his watch: a designer decor in the dining area, the addition of a second restaurant (PH3), a charming hotel and a cocktail bar… As for the food, classical dishes are given a highly precise and pared-back contemporary twist: artichokes and European lobster, the Camus and baby varieties stuffed with meat from the claws, the tail with its coral ; milk-fed lamb with Pr

The fourth generation is at the helm of this family business, established in a splendid 18C edifice surrounded by grounds, which was once the holiday home of the bishops of Lyon. The inventive food is the consummate work of a chef who has had a Michelin star since 1993 and who became a MOF in 1997. Top quality regional produce, surgically precise craftsmanship in a classical vein and the occasional more modern technique depict the culinary ethos. This welcoming scene provides the backdrop to dishes such as a soup of frog’s legs with mushrooms and wild garlic, Grenoble-style arctic char, slowly

In the heart of a village of orchards devoted to walnut growing, this lovely stone building is where Yann Tanneau rolls out a creative and enticing lineup. After learning the ropes in top houses, this tattooed and enthusiastic chef crafts and serves, entirely single-handedly, perfectly executed first-class dishes. You may start with a yummy association of oeuf parfait, creamy celery, smoked haddock and Iberic lomo. For the main course, we recommend juicy, tender poultry breast, underscored by cardamon, combawa and green curry. This elegant, gourmet feast is sampled in a simple, welcoming inter

As enthusiastic as ever, Guillaume Monjuré (who first came to our attention in Lyon and Corrençon-en-Vercors) plays host to guests in this family-owned barn, which has been renovated into a table d'hôte-style restaurant. Fanning the flames of his passion for cooking over an open fire, he has set up a wood-burning oven in full view of diners; he cooks absolutely everything in it, from bread first thing in the morning, to vegetables and fish during the meal. This is natural, primitive cuisine that is no less personal and creative for all that. He is able to elevate vegetables, herbs and fish fro