Looking for someone who knows a little about the Loire Valley. Will be in France in May and will be spending one night at
Domaine des Hauts de Loire. If I am looking for the highest quality restaurant in that area,Blois and Onzain, do I have dinner at the Domaine's restaurant or at L'Orangerie du Chateau or does someone know of a hidden jewel?
jdm-karen

Chef Jean Bardet's 2 Michelin starred restaurant is in his and his wife's Chateau Belmont, outside Tours. The Chateau is affiliated with the Relais et Chateau group. It is a beautiful place with wonderful food. www.jeanbardet.com

MY absolute favorite French restaurant is Chez Collette across the river from Onzain in Chaumont. However, it is a nice, unpretentious restaurant that doesn't take 3 hours to serve your food. We ate there 5 nights in a row - they even kept the restaurant open on their closed night in order to feed us!

However, if you want fancy, the only other restaurant in the area that I remember is the one at the bridge. It is nice, but my primary memory is waiting forever to get the bill at the end of a 2 1/2 hour meal.

When on a group tour of the area 23 years ago, we ate a a nearby one star restaruant that was excellent, but I don't remember its name.

topping for jdm_karen

We stayed at Domaine des Hauts de Loire three years ago. Their restaurant was wonderful...one of the best meals of that trip. Why not just eat there?

The hidden jewel is Le Cheval Blanc in Bléré.

Thanks for the info. I am a foodie (my thing) and want the best when in a country so rich in freshness and quality of both food and culture.
jdm_karen

The restaurant at the Domaine des Hautes de Loire has 2 Michelin stars and is quite wonderful. It has the added advantage that you don't need to drive back to the hotel after a fine meal and wine.