A resounding YES!…read more Came here on a Friday night with a friend to help them experience the world of jazz. A local trio including the owner of the venue stepped up to the stage and from the first chord progression the group clicked and went away with a groove that is second to very few. A Chicago native, I love jazz and local bands are notoriously novice, however this trio was one of the best groups I have ever seen. As many local artists take part at this venue, they similarly play to have fun, and spread the enjoyment as they play for an audience. The venue is very cozy, welcoming and accommodating. A great ambient light, amazing acoustics (It's a cave, yet it is padded) and the drinks were cheap. There was a 10-Euro cover, which may seem steep for local bands, but it was WELL worth the price. Wine selection was a bit small, but local and also very good. This is one of the best venues I have been to outside of the United States, and it's lack of generational history is made up with amazing artists. I will be back, and often. A must-see if in Lyon.

I came from Zagreb for the Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday in November with a group of…read moreRotary friends, but this visit to Lyon will be remembered for this Friday and the visit to "La Clef de Voute". The space is a cave under the building, romantically decorated and acoustic. The wine is good and moderately priced. The space is similar to the Hot Club de Lyon which I visited two nights before, but the difference in the band is huge. This Jazz band is incredible. One of the best I have ever heard. And I am coming after visiting New Orleans and the clubs on "Franchman Street" and Bourbon Street". Not a recommendation. This is simply not to be missed by any jazz fan in Europe. Like "Papa Joe's jazz local" in Cologne.

From the owner: La scène nationale d'Annecy Bonlieu Scène nationale est intégrée dans un bâtiment imaginé par…read morel'architecte Maurice Novarina au coeur de la ville d'Annecy, sur la rive du lac. L'espace de la scène nationale abrite la grande salle du Théâtre (1000 places), une salle de 300 places au plateau imposant, et s'ouvre sur de vastes espaces de balladoirs vitrés (bar, librairie et billetterie) et de cimaises pour les expositions.

This review is specific to Auberge de Père Bise and both restaurants…read more This hotel is absolutely incredible! The hospitality of the staff, the cleanliness of the hotel and restaurants, the entire experience was that of a fairytale. We had dinner at 1903 and lunch at Restaurant Gastronomique Jean Suplice and both were phenomenal! Each bite was divine. Literally the best meal of my life and we have had a handful of Michelin Stared restaurants in Los Angeles and Napa. This was far superior. The textures, the herbs, the entire experience was heavenly. Jean Suplice was in the restaurant and we even stopped to take a photo with him on the way out. If you're on the fence, book a reservation and visit this incredible place. It's not just the food, although the food is entirely worth it. The view and locally sourced food and herbs, fish caught by a local fisherman "Floflo." Everything is so carefully curated.

The 1903 Bistro of Auberge du Pere Bise is quite a special experience in one of the most pristine…read moresettings one can imagine. If anyone is near Annecy, this is a must see and experience kind of place. The drive to Talloires unfolds the unique and aesthetically pleasing treat one will experience on the palate and via the olfactory senses. This is a mini empire of cuisine excellence. There are two restaurants co-located, the 1903 Bistro and the actual Auberge du Pere Bise restaurant under the young Chef Jean Sulpice, both rated two stars by Michelin. There is also a bakery located at the premises and one's appetite will be thoroughly whetted with pastry chefs walking between the restaurants and bakery as you approach and enter. You will understand this is a high end affair with well heeled and attired understated folks exiting their vehicles for valet parking. The nearby pristine Lac du Annecy and surrounding mountains along with the picturesque village of Talloires complete this picture meeting your eyes before you take a step into this calm 1903 Bistro. This was my second visit to Talloires and this time I was treating my family friends to lunch for spoiling me in the Spring of this year and so often over the decades. We had a reservation and they seated us at a large round table along the curvilinear windows that look out to the curvature of Talloires along the lake and the lake itself toward the opposite shore and mountains beyond. Oh yes, this is a special experience! My appetizer was a crudite not made of vegetables, but of a long toasted bread stick for dipping in a rich and creamy seafood type sauce. Then came my entree consisting of a local fish from the Lac du Annecy called a Fera, related to salmon and trout, on a bed of vegetables with a creamy sauce spooned over the fish by the ever attentive and refined waiter appropriate for such a place. I chose a Rose from the Provence that was fruity, floral and fragrant. I believe we consumed two bottles of that elegant Rose, which paired well with everyone's selections as well as this magnificent dessert made of grapefruit meringue and sorbet. What a cap to the experience, but wait, there's more. They complimented the table with praline tartlets that sent us into orbit and let me go home with two. That bakery is no joke! You will pay for this experience at around a hundred dollars per person, but you will never forget the experience, which does not have to end upon payment. All credit cards are accepted here, particularly if you experienced many places in France not accepting Amex. You can stroll outside and enjoy a cigar waterside, which the family indulged me as I sipped on cognac and enjoyed a Siglo VI. You can stroll around the lake if you please, which I have done. If there is any shortcoming, it is the somewhat sparse servings that often come at this price point. You leave satisfied and satiated, but your appetite will soon resurrect itself. Four and a half beautifully experienced stars!