SIX Stars! I am not certain That I am articulate or eloquent enough to to give Pierre Orsi the credit it deserves. This was by way of a recommendation of a local resident. As we mentioned our plans to others at the hotel, they affirmed our choice. Both my wife and I walked away that evening having no doubt this was probably the finest overall dining experience we had ever had.
As we entered the restaurant, the hostess, Maitre'd, and the chef and owner, Pierre Orsi greeted us. Upon seating, we were immediately given menus and a wine list, offered our choice of waters after which fresh rustic rolls and an amuse bouche were delivered to the table. Also, the Maitre'd brought a velvet pillow, and placed it on the floor between our chairs for my wife's purse. We chose to begin the experience with some champagne. The champagne steward offered us several selections, all of which were being poured from magnums.
Our waitress was a young, bubbly transplant from England, who was so proper and sophisticated for her years. The sommelier Oliver was helpful, and beautifully proper. We made our wine and menu selections, and our fantasy evening continued. We both enjoyed the frois gras filled ravioli which was served with a port & truffle sauce. My wife enjoyed a beef filet done to her liking, and I had the lobster which was served with a colorful medley of vegetables. Following that was the cheese course. Their cheese steward brought a table and large tray containing probably 15 cheeses. He went through a detailed description of each cheese. So that we could try them all, we divided two plates among the varieties, one containing the goat's milk cheeses, another with a sampling of the cow's milk cheeses.
Then came dessert! There were not one, not two, but three dessert courses. The first was a plate containing 4 pair of bite sized confections, from chocolate, to macaroons, to a coconut sponge cake, and a basil cream tartlet. The second dessert offering was a panna cotta with a fruit jam on top. Finally our selected desserts from the menu were delivered, crepes Suzette and my wife had a chocolate moose log with ice cream. All were amazingly prepared not sparing a detail.
Before the meal was finished, the Maitre'd brought my wife a copy of Chef Orsi's cookbook, that he had signed and addressed to her! My wife was nearly in tears! But wait- it gets better yet! We were then guided through the kitchen (which was so clean you could have done surgery in it) and introduced to the kitchen staff. We descended the stairs to the locked wine cave. The original cave dates to 1794. But it had been finished magnificently! The wine collection was nothing short of amazing!
It was an amazing evening. We consider it such an honor to be treated like royalty by each and every staff member. The food and the overall dining room presentation was incredible! The hospitality of the staff spoiled us, and we left feeling part of the family. Truly the most incredible, memorable dining experience we have ever had. It was a the upper end of the price range, but not the most expensive, and without reservation, worth every penny of it! Thank you Pierre and staff! I commented the next day, still in the afterglow of the previous evening, that I would be willing to travel back to Lyon, just for the privilege of dining there again! read more