For my birthday (a milestone birthday!), we headed up to Colmar for the weekend. I was looking for something extra special for my birthday evening, so after a review of some guidebooks and travel websites, I chose Restaurant JY's. Given the number of other birthdays the same evening, this seems to be the place to go for your special occasions in Colmar!
Nervous about my French, I made a reservation through La Fourchette (lafourchette.com/) about a week in advance and got one of the later seatings. The restaurant is on the canal in Colmar, with a large outdoor seating area. Inside, the decor is modern and tasteful, with small splashes of color. Our server was fluent in at least French, English, and German and very capable at her job, and other staff members were equally helpful and pleasant.
My husband and I chose the 6 course meal, which is a set menu, and at least two people need to order it at a table. I asked for some wine pairings with my meal, which came as one glass per two courses. After a delicious selections of amuse bouche, we had a miso soup, an encrusted black tiger shrimp, scallops, a riff on tom yum soup, pigeon with foie gras, and a peanut pie with banana ice cream. The meal also ended with a selection of mignardises - petit fours, chocolates, a macaroon, and some house-made cotton candy. We enjoyed all of our selections with the exception of the shrimp - it had a sweet crusting that ended up making it just taste like something from the microwave section. The pigeon was also a bit tough, but had good flavor. Everything else was excellent. The wine pairings were fine - not spot on, but pleasant.
At the end of the meal (which lasted over three hours - perhaps a little too deliberate), the chef Jean-Yves came out and greeted everyone, which was nice. Altogether, our bill was 195 Euro for two 6-course meals, two glasses of Cremant to start the meal, my wine pairings, water, and my cup of tea at the end. A splurge meal, but - birthday rule! If ever in Colmar again, I might check the restaurant out for lunch.
Bathroom: 3 stars - clean and crisp, but only one stall per gender. I hate waiting. read more