For the extravagant dining experiences in Burgundy, many travellers consult with the Michelin Red( restaurant) Guide, a compass for restaurant lovers since the beginnings of car travel. The guide attempts to identify the best hotels and restaurants within each comfort and price category. Michelin stars are based on the quality of products; the mastery of flavour and cooking; the“ personality” of the cuisine; value for the money; and consistency between visits. To gain a Michelin star rating is the pinnacle of achievement for many restaurant owners. Some two dozen restaurants in all of France held the 3-star Michelin rating as of 2009; in Burgundy the Maison Lameloise in Chagny has the coveted 3-star rating.
“ I have been to Lameloise twice,” says Gary Hewitt of Banville & Jones.“ The first time was the most memorable, because I did not even know what going into a 3-star restaurant meant— thank goodness Lameloise is not one of the super-expensive ones!”
The food?“ I recall that each item on every plate was cooked to perfection and arranged for the visual effect— the little supporting vegetables received the same care and attention as the star of the dish,” says Gary. But it was the service that proved even more memorable.“ My dinner companion and I had decided to order different three-course set menus so we might trade with each other and have an even more interesting dining experience. During the main course, we traded plates— a meat dish for a fish dish. Unobtrusively, almost magically, the correct cutlery appeared at my fingertips and the meal continued without a break in our conversation. I did not even realize our servers were watching!”
A beautiful Burgundian meal is an experience to inspire and enrich the love of great cuisine. Like at Maison Lameloise and Restaurant Simon, the professional, attentive service is as much a part of the treat as the cuisine. Granted, the experience does not come cheaply: each person’ s meal might start at around $ 50 to $ 100 per person, without wine. The value of a meal, though, is not what is written on the bottom of your bill. It is the joy of becoming part of the famous Burgundy tradition that represents the true value. The taste memories, and the experience of the ballet of fine service, last a lifetime. � www. banvilleandjones. com 45