This 1 star Michelin restaurant is the true Gem!
My friends…read moreconsider me as a foodie, and none of them would expect me to be 100% positive on a post, yet this day has come.
I already fancy 1 star Michelin restaurants over 3 stars, and even 2 stars as the constant excellence and attention in a 1 star remains somewhat accessible and with better value.
1 star's have everything to gain from getting better while as exceptional as 3's may be it's often too much, too long, and too sophisticated for me; and 2's are often too focus towards their 3rd.
As I was staying in Nancy for my first time, and only for two days "La Maison dans le Parc" got me to sit down in their dining room three times!
The chef owner, Françoise Mutel runs this restaurant with her partner daughter Rosalie for 12 years. I happened to be there the day of the restaurant's opening' birthday.
Françoise apparently visits every table of the restaurant, to share and ask if all is fine. This shows the level of attention, care, and seriousness she puts in with passion.
Let's get to the food!
As straight forward as I can be, I was in the sphere of " Taste Buds Heaven! "
Every single ingredients is freshly and daily made, and we are talking even the dehydrated herb powders. Extremely rare nowadays.
I don't expect much from the "Amuse Bouche" but "LMDLP" changed my mind. I was blown away! To the point where I wanted another round!
-APPETIZERS got me hooked for life, and is probably what made me go back three times out of two days.
The BEST pan seared "Foie Gras" I've ever had!
I had the chance to try two different ones, and honestly both were incredible.
Both were covered with a type of raw grated cocoa; powder for one and cocoa bits on the other. They added to the first one a Japanese inspired broth, and a 36 hour infused Strawberry consommé on the second one.
Just thinking of it makes me lick my screen.
Another amazing appetizer was a confit mini fennel with crispy pistachios and coconut sherbet. Surprising, but extremely satisfying.
-ENTRÉ: A perfect Langoustines, which is a highly qualitative cray fish. When it arrived on the table I was skeptical about the plate size, but it was quickly forgotten when the stunning sauce was poured around the plate. You get overly pleased by the richness of the flavors that is perfectly balanced with the cray fish, making it perfectly sized becoming an instant delight. The vegetable side was a green wheat based risotto covered with an herb emulsion. Simply to die for.
Another amazing dish I got during my visits was a perfectly cooked sea-bass joined by an Oyster and herb emulsion sauce. The most astounding side with this fish, a cabbage topped with a dehydrated brocoli sea water concoction which flavored the dish to perfection.
-DESERTS: I usually try to skip deserts and I did skip it on two occasion except during my last visit. And gosh am I happy I did go for it. Part of my "Menu Degustation", it was not one desert but two that got delivered to the table!
The first one, my favorite, was named secret garden or something of that sort, a mix of excellent Rhubarb and Strawberries joined by an apple caramel created the base. The whole thing was covered with a very light espuma vanilla foam, itself covered with an earthy looking charcoal base substance that was perfectly crumbled, balancing the layers to perfection in between acidity, sweetness, and crunchiness.
-PRICE: "La Maison dans le Parc" is priced fair and right and even very affordable for lunch with a menu at €42 which sincerely isn't something you find anywhere with such good food quality. Now it is important to note that if you are the type of customer that accounts huge quantity of food to somewhat being the definition of qualitative food you are in the wrong place. Expect super qualitative ingredients, lots of love in the plate and perfectly sized dishes. Eat well, be satisfied by taste not by size and have somewhat reasonable portions. Now don't think a second that you'll be hungry leaving the restaurant. You won't.
Without the wine, the 6 course discovery menu that I enjoyed on my last night was €105 and turned out to be a taste bud fest.
The regular 3 course menu was €72 and if you ask me it's the perfect treat. When I read some of the comments about this place I am beyond chocked as truly "La Maison dans le Parc" is what I like to call a gateway to luxury.
This food was divin and LMDLP truly has become one of my favorite restaurants. Nancy is a nice city, yet the reason I'll go back sooner than later is definitely La Maison dans le Parc!
