Auberge de la Charme – Prenois FR
Auberge de la Charme: Culinary delight in Prenois
Chef: Nicolas Isnard & David Le Comte
The fine dining restaurant ‘Auberge de la Charme’ is located in the centre of the small picturesque village Prenois. Prenois only counts 350 inhabitants and lies at the entrance of the Bourgogne region (a few kilometres away from the medieval city Dijon). The village is particularly known for the automobile circuit DP, but Auberge de la Charme proofs that there are more assets in this beautiful town! If you’re travelling to the south of France in summer, or to the Alpes for skiing in winter, Auberge de la Charme is the perfect stop for a culinary intermezzo.
Nicolas Isnard and David Le Comte are the two talented chefs that opened the Auberge in 2008. Michelin has awarded them with a first star shortly after the opening. The Gault&Millau d’Or in 2010 and the 4 GM toques are two other examples of the success of this duo. Nicolas was the former head chef of the 3* L’Auberge du Vieux Puits in Fontjoncouse and the 1* Le Chateau de Curzay, while David was his sous chef. The harmony between both chefs is remarkable and can be seen and tasted in their high quality dishes. At Auberge de la Charme both chefs take you on an adventurous tasting experience.
The restaurant is located is the centre of Prenois. The building is divided in several separate dining rooms and the authentic style of the building has been kept. The team of L’Auberge de la Charme is experienced and professional and customers are advised to sample one of the menus. For dinner guests can choose between the 3 course ‘menu premiers pas’ (52€), the 5 course ‘menu Découverte’ (71€) and the 7 course ‘menu de la Charme’ (98€). For lunch, David & Nicolas serve 3 courses for only 35€. Both chefs combine traditionally influenced dishes with modern techniques and presentations. Culinary fun is essential throughout their tasting menus.
We start this great dinner with a glass of Deveaux brut Champaign and some delicious appetizers.
Soufflé from ham and comté cheese with a creamy béchamel
Praline with a speck cream, pumpkin and hazelnut
Oyster with wakame and lemon espuma
First dish of the menu de la Charme is an excellent version of the traditional ‘Escargots de Bourgogne’. They are served in a licorice broth with a cream of Jerusalem artichoke and tomato confit. On the side a light toast with garlic cream, garlic confit and a ball with cream from escargots. The rich and deep flavours are perfectly paired with a glass of Bourgogne Dufoullard Hautes Nuits 2011.
Next dish is the surprising ‘Oeuf en croute truffé’. The crust is made from porcini and served with the first green asparagus of the season.
Perfectly baked turbot came with carrots with different acidity, a carrot broth and yuzu. This dish is delicious with a great variety of textures and tastes.
We love sweetbreads and definitely when they are prepared in a perfect way – just like David and Nicolas did. The condiments with mushroom, artichokes, Brussels sprouts and truffle were less impressive. The wine pairing was a Savoie wine – Mondeuse 2004 from Domaine Prieure Saint Christophe and it was the best Mondeuse wine I ever tasted.
A little intermezzo with a small soup of onions and onion ice cream prepares us for the impressive cheese chariot.
Desserts in L’Auberge De La Charme are a true pleasure and created by pastry chef Tony Belliet. Tony formerly worked with David and Nicolas in L’Auberge du Vieux Puits and recently joined the Auberge de la Charme team.
Cube with mandarin foam, agrum salad and lime sorbet.
French pastry with a chocolate ganache, caramel, fleur de sel and ice cream of pear.
With this extraordinary & creative tour throughout their culinary world, David and Nicolas convinced us of their gastronomical potential. We were impressed by the stylish and tasteful dishes and perfectly balanced flavours. L’Auberge De La Charme will remain on our ‘have-to-stop-list’ when we drive from Belgium to the South of France! The team also has two bistros in the centre of Dijon (Bistrot des Halles & La Taverne des Halles) and a respected catering company “Kook’in”. If you’re looking for accommodation after a great dinner at L’Auberge, the beautiful ‘La Ferme du Coucou’ is located only 100 metres from the restaurant.
Thanks for this great evening David, Nicolas, Cécile, Jessica, Masato and Tony!
Be-Gusto
Auberge de la Charme 12 rue de la Charme, 21370 Prenois Tel: +33 3 80 35 32 84 www.AubergedelaCharme.com Closed Sunday evenings, Monday and Tuesday Be-Gusto score: 16/20