Lesli

My husband and I are fairly serious foodies in our early/mid-40s. We'll be celebrating our anniversary while staying at Le Clos Amboise in mid-October. http://www.leclosamboise.com/

We're seeking a restaurant within reasonable driving distance with wonderful food and atmosphere that includes a bit of romance. We'd be comfortable spending up to $300 US including a decent bottle of wine. (Less would be fine, too!)

We'll dress up a bit, but would prefer to skip the sort of places that would require an actual suit and tie. NB: The actual day happens to fall on a Sunday.

As a result of some postive reviews here, I'm considering Le Cheval Blanc, in Blere.
http://www.lechevalblancblere.com/
But I'd love to hear suggestions for other options.

Thanks in advance!

StCirq

Le Cheval Blanc is one of my favorite restaurants in France. But since you're right there in Amboise you might consider Le Choiseul.

ricerco

We stayed and had dinner at Chateau de Noizay. Noizay is a small village near Amboise and very easy to get to from there. It is a Relais & Chateaux establishment, perfect for a special occasion. There are numerous Relais & Chateau places throughout the Loire Valley. We spent our honeymoon here in 2001. At the time, the dollar was great. But I do remember thinking (despite the currency conversion) that dining at the restaurant was not that expensive – considering the service and quality of the meal. It was one our most memorable meals during our stay in France.

http://www.relaischateaux.com
http://www.chateaudenoizay.com

robjame

Our Loire photos contain food photos from both Le Choiseul and Le Cheval Blanc. We preferred the meal and atmosphere at Le Cheval Blanc and it would fall within your budget.
The desserts there are wonderful and IMO the food is more inventive while using local, in-season produce.

http://tinyurl.com/2uepnq

suntravler

robjame....LOVED your photos. I will be going to Amboise next May.

How far is Le Cheval Blanc from Amboise?
The desserts really caught my eye.

Thanks again for the photos.

robjame

Thanks suntravler. Le Cheval Blanc is in Blere, about 20 minutes from Amboise.
The desserts were great. Sandra had the souffle (white chocolate and Cointreau I think) and they brought me the little one that I HAD to eat as well as my own baked wild raspberry pudding with the spun sugar dome.
I think you can guess that we were there in asparagus time.
The fish was local to the area.

RonZ

I will be staying at Le Cheval Blanc for three nights next month, and will most likely have the Crepe Souffle Grand Marinier for dessert every evening.

RonZ

Juast checked robjame's pictures and there it was!

robjame

Ron - Please let us know how it is as a hotel cause I have it on my list for a future visit.
Thanks.

jody

If you don't mind a 10 mile drive, you might try the Domaine des Hauts de Loire, a beautiful R&C property in Onzain. The food and setting are both lovely . We are planning our third trip there next year , we enjoyed it so much.

http://www.domainehautsloire.com/

jody

BTW..the menu can only be read on the French site

suntravler

While we are on this subject, I was wondering what the dress code for gentlemen is at these restaurants in the Loire.

Do men wear ties? Or is a sports jacket sufficient?

Thanks.

robjame

Smart casual is the term I guess. I wear a sports jacket and a mock turtle neck or sports shirt. We like to dress up for dinner.
I do take a tie for more formal places but you will find the Loire area more relaxed than Paris.

suntravler

Hi, Robjame,

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking along the same lines.

hopingtotravel

I also have that hotel on my list. Stayed at Les Minimies before, so just having a change of scene. So will also appreciate feedback.

Also considering Le Choisel for dinner, so will be interested in hearing if that's where you go.

robjame

hoping - IMO there are a handful of premium tables at Le Choiseul, by the window, with a view over the river. These are usually kept for patrons who are staying there. I would reserve ahead and make a point of asking for a window table. Sometimes it doesn't matter - I think here it does.
I think that Le Choiseul and Cheval Blanc are two interesting restaurants in the same area to compare and contrast. Quite different I think. If I had to choose one - Le Cheval Blanc but I can see how some would not care for this restaurant as much.

hopingtotravel

That's good to know. I loved the river views from our room at Les Minimes.

I'll watch for posts on the other restaurant too.