My visit to the Champagne region brought me to the wonderful city of Reims. Not only being the capital of sparkling wine it also is a culinary paradise. At Le Parc at Domaine les Crayeres I enjoyed nothing less than an imperial lunch.
The restaurant is situated in a fancy 5 star hotel.
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After parking my car in the garden I was brought to the dining room. The interior is very fancy and old school, yet comfortable. For lunch Le Parc offers a three course menu (70€, wine pairing 25€).
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The service was very friendly, we managed with a mix of french and english Image may be NSFW.
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I liked the presentation of champagnes very much: The waiter explained a selection, while holding a card holder with a card, explaining the prices unobtrusively. I went for a small wine pairing, since I had to drive. Then the menu started:
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I especially loved the tartelette that was refreshing, filled with a cheese cream and topped with greens.
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Two sorts of fresh, rustic bagguette and butter – flawless, like you would expect in France.
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A very fresh tomato tartar was topped with a foam preparation, topped with spices. A fresh palate cleanser.
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A wonderful dish: The smoked haddock added some intense notes and a rather meaty texture, while the potatoes were soft and waxy. The sauce was full of depth and the sweetness of saffron, binding it together and giving the dish roundness and a comforting character.
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One of the best main courses I’ve had for long: The potatoes were breathtaking. Glazed with jus, soft, waxy and not at all mealy or crumbly…this was all a potato can be. The baby zucchinis added a fresh greenness, while some hand picked baby mushrooms (look at the uniform size) brought earthy notes into play. And the quail: The leg was shere perfect with it’s firm and tasty meat. The zucchini flower was a piece of art: Skillfully filled with quail fillet, that was perfectly rosé, juicy and full of taste. Wonderful!
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Also the dessert was wonderful: A soft, warm lemon soufflé paired with a lemon and tarragon sorbet that brought a nice temperature contrast. Great and refreshing.
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Also the petit fours were great, especially the biscuit sablé.
My lunch at Le Parc was really delightful: I loved the traditional approach and the evident focus on high quality products. No chichi, just good products and craftmanship brought to the plate. I would definetely go for a tasting menu or a greater a la carte selection next time.
Visit: July 2018
Michelin stars at time of visit: **
Budget: 95€/person (lunch and two glasses of wine)
Location: 8/10
Service: 6,5/10
Food: 8,5/10