Dinner at La Chappelle

As a perfect little treat for us, and a birthday celebration for Brian, I’d booked us dinner at ‘La Chappelle’, a rather interesting restaurant in Montluçon, not far from our B&B.

They had been very creative in the styling of the restaurant, keeping the theme of the chapel in the table layout. Our table was in front of a large, floor to ceiling window overlooking the garden, which I have to say was a wonderful setting for us.

We soon settled in with a rather large glass of Taittanger Blanc de blancs 2013, which was rather delicious. As I was driving Brian helped me finish my glass.

There was the option of a three , four or five course menu. We decided to opt for the four course, both choosing the chocolate dish for dessert. Brian then had the wine flight to match the food, which was a great way for him to experience some different wines, some of them local to the region.

It started well, as the first wine Brian was presented by the Sommelier, to go with our amuse-bouche (an additional course), was a wine from the Moselle. It was a blind tasting for him, as again it was not part of the wine flight. Although he initially thought it was Alsacien, he finally opted for a German Riesling, so pretty spot on — especially good as we have not visited Germany yet for any wine tasting.

The delicately presented courses, with delicious intense flavours, soon started to appear. Initially I was concerned if I’d be able to eat them all, but the meal was well paced and perfectly portioned. Brian was enjoying his wines with every course, learning with every glass. It was a pleasure to see.

Before our chocolate dessert, which looked and tasted spectacular, came our pre dessert — such a delightful puff of cream covered rhubarb and tarragon, who’d have thought I was so current!

The petit fours with coffee were a step too far for me, I was fit to burst, but Brian enjoyed every little morsel. It was his Birthday after all.