Auberge de Clochemerle Hôtel & Restaurant

The kitchen was the reason this stay stood out. My wife and I booked a night at the hotel with the restaurant's tasting menu, and the meal may have been the best we've had, even compared with places like the French Laundry. We've eaten at some of the world's most famous restaurants, so that's saying a lot. The chef brings Japanese plating techniques to French cooking and makes use of fresh ingredients from the Beaujolais region. His wife, the Sommelier, has an extensive wine list, though we were glad to let her choose some local gems. The hotel itself is beautifully decorated and well appointed, in a picturesque setting. If you're visiting Burgundy, I'd suggest spending a day or two here. We don't think you'll regret it.

Dinner at the "Auberge" was a real pleasure. Romain Barthe put together subtle, high-quality dishes, with a fresh approach to cooking and combining textures and flavors. The team was very welcoming, the Beaujolais surroundings are beautiful, and the rooms are just perfect.

The service was excellent, and most of the waiting staff could speak English. For a small village, a restaurant of this quality is mind-blowing. I enjoy this style of cuisine and its presentation, and we had so many amuse-bouches that I can barely remember them all. A few garnishes kept recurring, though, and that made some dishes blur together. You can tell the kitchen puts a lot of fine work into each plate, but some flavors were delicious while others felt bland and indistinct. I wonder if a little less focus on presentation might help. We had three courses with wine pairings, then added the cheese course for an extra charge. The portions were light, so I wasn't uncomfortably full. One unusual part of the meal is that they ask you to list ingredients you don't eat, then create your courses around that. You don't find out what's coming until it's served. I'm not sure I liked that, since I prefer looking forward to dishes I've chosen. Still, it was a great experience.

The wine selection was awesome, and the food was incredible. I took their recommendations and was very happy with them. The atmosphere was relaxing, and the service was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive to what I needed. Three different waiters looked after us during the meal. I'll be back.