C’est Eric Pras que Jacques Lameloise avait choisi pour reprendre sa maison familiale qui possède trois étoiles, et il ne s’était pas trompé car ce meilleur ouvrier de France 2004 a pris la succession du maître avec talent et le succès que l’on connaît.

Pour notre déjeuner du 23 juillet 2016, nous avons opté pour le menu à 78 euros et nous pouvons vous dire que c’est probablement le meilleur menu déjeuner d’un restaurant trois étoiles en France en terme de prix et de qualité.

Pour ce repas, nous avons choisi les Escargots "Prés de Fontaines" et poulpe en entrée ; le rouget barbet, tomate et basilic ainsi que le pigeonneau "Excellence Mieral" et cerise pour les plats principaux. Pour terminer : plaisir sucré abricot et fenouil.

C’est une cuisine fine et sensible, qui s'accommode d'un soupçon de fantaisie dans le respect de la tradition. Eric Pras pratique son métier sans prétention avec beaucoup de générosité, c’est la marque de fabrique de la maison Lameloise.

La carte des vins est un bonheur pour tous les amoureux de la Bourgogne, mais pas que : le reste de la carte est éclectique, les autres régions sont bien référencées et les prix sont plus qu’abordables pour un trois étoiles.

Le service est impeccable à la fois professionnel, compétent, courtois et aimable sans trop en faire. Mention spéciale à la description des plats par le maître d’hôtel.

Pour une fois, nous sommes repartis d’un restaurant trois étoiles en France sans avoir le sentiment d’être pris pour des lardons, mais avec la satisfaction d’avoir été dans une maison de légende qui mérite vraiment ses étoiles et sa bonne réputation.

Un grand bravo à Eric Pras et toute son équipe !

Maison Lameloise
36, place des Armes
71150 Chagny
Tél. : 03 85 87 65 65

www.lameloise.fr

Torralbenc is the place to be in Menorca if you have a lot of euros to spare, and if you do, it’s an incredible place to stay and relax while you’re on weekend or holidays. The hotel is beautiful with its view on the countryside and even a glimpse of the not-so-far sea. Torralbenc is located just outside the town of Alaior. 

But most of all, we came to Torralbenc for the gastronomic experience. The dinner was made truly unforgettable by the restaurant’s setting – amid 70 acres of private farmland, vineyards and olive groves, with views down to the Mediterranean Sea as the sun sets. 

Gorka Txapartegui with Executive Chef Luis Loza has replaced Paco Morales who now has his own restaurant, Noor (One Michelin Star) in Cordoba. In their craft, both chefs hold a deep respect for ingredients and authenticity which was reflected throughout the spring/summer menu which was in line with the famous Catalan and Basque cooking philosophy “Mar and Muntanar” 

On July 14^th 2016 for our dinner to celebrate my wife’s birthday we chose the tasting menu at 70 euros. We can tell you right away that it was very good, probably one of the best meals we've had so far this year. Every dish was perfectly cooked, prepared and served from the amuse-bouche to the dessert. 

The wine list was excellent, with incredible international and local references. For our dinner, we chose a cava called Clos Lenticus – Sumoll Reserva Familia – Blanc de Noir Brut Nature which was a stunning discovery. 

The service was excellent -- our host even welcomed and waited on us in French. 

Torralbenc is a true gem in Menorca, it’s the kind of place that you wish you could keep to yourself. 

Restaurant Torralbenc 

Ctra. Maó – Cala’n Porter,  Km.10 

07730 Alaior (Menorca) 

+34 971 37 72 11, +34 971 74 78 76 

info@torralbenc.com, www.torralbenc.co

Restaurant Smoix (Cake in Menorcan) in Ciutadella, Menorca is probably among the top five restaurants in Menorca.

Miguel Sanchez and his partner, Vianey, welcome their guests in a beautiful setting, the entrance of the restaurant is magnificent and leads to a cool and nice patio. The restaurant itself is spacious with designed wood tables; the ambiance was serene and sober when we ate there on July 16^th 2016.

The menu à la carte was short, which is actually a good sign, with a choice of six “Picar, Picar” (small dishes), seven starters and eight main courses.

Every dish we ordered was extremely flavorsome, tasty and succulent, even the croquetas that we ordered for our son and the amuse-bouche was right on the bull's eye.

Only the desserts, for our taste, were not up to the high standard as the rest.

The wine list was very interesting and full of local and international references. The offer by glass was one of the best in term of choice, quality and price that we have seen so far in Europe.

The service led by Ms. Vianey was very nice and efficient.

If Miguel Sanchez ups his game on his desserts, he will for sure deserve a Michelin star in the future.

Smoix 

Address : Av. Jaume Conqueridor 38, Ciutadella, Mernorca

Tel. reservations +34 971 38 28 08

www.smoix.com 

The restaurant Pan y Vino in Sant Lluis is one the best and most affordable restaurants in Menorca.

The chef, Patrick James, and our host, Noelia Zardoya, are the married couple who owns the place. They offer a set menu that changes every day and for 37 euros you can get three courses: starters, main and dessert.  It is to be noted that, should you wish to swap one of the menu dishes for another à la carte you can do that with no extra fee.

We elected to celebrate our son's 6^th birthday there and were greeted by Noelia – in perfect French - like we were members of the club. Noelia and the team even prepared a special chocolate birthday cake especially for our boy. What a nice surprise and generous touch from all of them!

Generosity, kindness and quality are what makes Pan y Vino a successful restaurant. The food is good, generous and refined. Patrick James knows how to mix French cooking with local ingredients and a touch of exotic flavors.

The local wines and cavas are well represented on the wine list which offers eclectic choices from France and others regions of Spain.

And Noelia Zardoya leads the service with charm and efficiency – and in at least three different languages (Spanish, French, English).

Pan y Vino 

Address : Camí de la Coixa, 3 - Torret - Sant Lluis - Menorca

Tel. reservations (0034) 971 15 02 01

www.panyvinomenorca.com/ 

Hotel Sant Joan de Binissaida is located in the small town of Es Castell on Menorca island.  It’s branded a luxury agro-rural hotel with 12 rooms and a gastronomy cuisine.

Our family of three stayed in the Bach room (n°9) with a private terrace and countryside view. The room was ideal for a family our size.

The place is very beautiful with its pathways and manicured gardens, and best of all its 25-meter long swimming pool plus a kids area with a babyfoot table.

It has a gastronomy restaurant with a menu designed by the chef of the restaurant Ses Forquilles in Mahon. However the lunch price was a bit expensive for our taste. It is better to eat at Ses Forquilles.

We also found the pricing for the rooms extremely high for what it is. We got better rooms for half that price in other places in Spain or Portugal.

The service at the hotel is very helpful, service-oriented, charming and kind.

Menorca is a very beautiful island: it’s preserved and well maintained with nice beaches and incredible good food, it makes a perfect destination for short or long holidays for all.

Hotel Sant Joan de Binissaida