Wow, this was a delightful surprise, a really outstanding kitchen (even by French standards) in a…read more3-star hotel. The menu, based on regional (Auvergne) ingredients; is traditional but steers clear of all the tourist cliche dishes. We ordered the two-course menu to give ourselves a break because we had eaten and drunk ourselves silly the previous two nights in Burgougne.
Everything we ordered was amazing -- a perfect risotto with tiny morel mushrooms and scallions in a mild artichoke sauce; thin rare strips of beef in a wine reduction with dots of fine mustard, enclosing a salad of spring greens; a pink trout cooked perfectly served on a bed of lentils with vegetables; and tender lamb served with a roti of spaghetti squash, tiny strips of lamb -- again in a divine sauce.
The wine list is excellent and, like the food, very reasonably priced. Two courses is 16 euro; four courses with dessert is 32. Wine is at all price ranges with lots of choice in the 20s.
We have eaten quite a bit in Paris and Italy so we know what good food tastes like. I don't generally bother writing Yelp reviews but this place just blew us away -- we may spend another another night in Le Puy-en-Velay just to do four courses at this terrific restaurant. This beautiful city does not seem to be blessed with a great restaurant scene, but Regina is terrific.
