I love the experience of dining where the locals do when I travel internationally so I was excited to experience a "Bouchon" when on business in Lyon, France.
Chez Chabert is one of only about 20 official bouchons, a type of restaurant found only in Lyon serving traditional Lyonnaise cuisine family style at long community tables.
Typically, the emphasis on a bouchon is on a neighborly-family oriented atmosphere...almost like eating in one's home with your close friends. This bouchon tradition dates back to the small inns in Lyon back in the 17th century. Pretty cool experience for sure!
The food here is not your typical haute or nouvelle cuisine we Americans think of when dining in France. The dishes here are heavily oriented around meat including sausages and roast pork.
Hosted by our business colleagues from Lyon, Chez Chabert is located in the very popular "Old Town" section of town at the base of the mountain that serves as the location for Lyon's sacred landmark, the Basilica of Norte-Dame de Fourvière.
Our large group sampled 5 different appetizers, each passed around in a large bowl family style, while sipping Chabert's local red wine. Our entrees were limited to a pork sausage dish, a chicken & cheese plate and a fish soufflé.
While the entrees were not necessarily my cup of tea, I totally enjoyed the camaraderie and experience of this unvarnished brand of neighborly dining. Quatre etoiles! read more