Brit Hotel Orléans St Jean de Braye - L'Antarès

Tristan Robreau, the chef at this restaurant on the banks of the Loire carefully crafts his own personal take on fusion cuisine inspired by his travels in Asia. The single set menu, which can be fine-tuned to suit your preference, pairs an ingredient with a seasoning, eg green curry with crab, tikka masala with squab.

In the heart of the old town and not far from the cathedral, this 15C half-timbered house showcases an easy alliance of old stonework and cosy touches. The chef, who even trained here when he was learning his trade, hits the mark with delicious cuisine that is in tune with the times. The seasonal menu changes regularly and features appealingly tasty dishes such as pork chop with potatoes and a caper jus.

If you are passing through the Loiret, département, this cosy establishment is recommended for chef Alain Gérard's subtle seasonal cuisine: his dishes are meticulous, tasty and fine, and he composes his mouth-watering surprise set menus as the inspiration takes him.

Marie Gricourt's career has already taken her to the heights of Christophe Hay's La Table d'à Côté, where she was head chef. She has since opened her own restaurant, a convivial place in keeping with her personality. In this restaurant not far from the banks of the River Loire, the chef and her mainly female team (who provide service with a smile) put a new twist on bistro-style cuisine, simply and precisely: a surf and turf starter with scallops cradled in a sweet potato, bacon and prune purée; conchiglioni stuffed with beef chuck and porcini; and for dessert a delicious floating island with