annieladd

Looking for a very special restaurant to have lunch or dinner for my step mother's 80th birthday (Monday, late September). We'll be traveling from Chartres to Amboise, but anywhere in the general vicinity is fine. We're considering Jean Bardet, or maybe La Bon Labourer? Let me know your favorites, we want it to be very special for her. annieladd

Underhill

Jean Bardet by all means.

Dukey

Would you like reasons and rationale with the answers or just declarations?

bilboburgler

The abbeye de Fountainvrau is fantastic for a party. This was the western worlds largest religious centre outside Rome. Now a hotel with dining in the French style in the cloisters. If this is no good the Unicorn up the road is Michelin 1 star at least.

Michel_Paris

It was a few years ago, but I still remember an execeptional meal at the Bon Laboureur. Very nice inn also.

annieladd

Thanks for the suggestions. I"m leaning towards Jean Bardet, but certainly would enjoy hearing other suggestions. And, Dukey, declarations, reasons, and rationale are all appreciated. Someone mentioned Le Cheval Blanc in Blere as a nice restaurant as well. We'll be there a few days, so we'll have an opportunity to try several. So bring em on!

We arrive CDG Sunday morning. (My parents will have already arrived the day before) So, we'll get to Chartres in plenty of time to see Cathedral, though I'm sure I'll be rather exhausted. I guess I only know my restorative powers, but do you suppose we can get a pretty good look at Chartres that afternoon, then up the next morning and on to Jean Bardet for lunch (probably)? Or, conversely we could relax Sunday afternoon, get up early Monday and see the Cathedral then, then head to the restaurant. But, it looks like it takes 2 hours to get to Tours, so seeing the cathedral, driving 2 hours, and getting to the restaurant in time for lunch might be pushing it, I guess?

Dinner is an option, but I'm trying to do as little driving after dark as possible, not knowing the roads. We're staying in Amboise, so that's 1/2 drive from Tours.

Thanks, annieladd

Michael

If I remember correctly, StCirq considers le Cheval Blanc as the best restaurant in the Loire valley.

annieladd

Yes, Michael, thank you I think it was St. Cirq who recommened it. And, it is close to Amboise. I'm checking to see when they are open. Jean Bardet is not open Monday lunch, so we'll either have to do dinner or move the birthday lunch to Tuesday if that's where we decide to dine. Thanks, annieladd

PS Just fyi, Maalcolm Miller responded to my e-mail regarding tours of Chartres. Should we decide to use his service, he does not give the tour on Sunday. His first tour on Monday is noon, so... Also, he said there was a pilgramage on Sunday, does anyone know what that means? Is this something that happens every Sunday, or is it something we might want to check out?

Lexma90

I'm not familiar with Jean Bardet, so cannot compare it to Le Cheval Blanc. But I've been to le Cheval Blanc twice, and would recommend it for any reason, special event or otherwise!

Le Cheval Blanc (http://www.lechevalblancblere.com/) is a small restaurant, and while it does have a Michelin star, is not quite so formal, of course, as the Michelin-rated restaurants in Paris. The food is delicious, delightfully presented, and the staff is warm and welcoming. When we took our son here last year, they were charmed by him, and he by the entire experience.

We were staying 5 km northwest of Amboise, and the drive back from Blere in the dark was pretty easy. As I recall, there's some sort of highway or other limited access road for a part of the trip. It probably took us less than 1/2 hour.

prr761

Another vote for Le Cheval Blanc (closed on Monday). We had heard such wonderful things about it that we changed our travel days from Paris to the Loire to begin on Tuesday. We also stayed that the hotel. It is very modest but clean and quite inexpensive. Very nice hospitality and the city of Blere is small and charming. The restaurant is magnificent and was the gastronomic highlight of our month's trip to Italy and France in April! Bon Appetit.