Hostellerie de Plaisance, Saint-Emilion

The dinner at the terrace of the Hostellerie de Plaisance (Place du Clocher, Saint-Emilion, 2 Michelin stars) was memorable because of the location, views, food, and the service quality. From the terrace of the Hotel and Restaurant, and in the middle of this wonderful town that goes back to the X Century, you can see the historic vineyards of Saint-Emilion, as well as the successive constructions, churches, and fortifications that make this magnificent place a World Heritage Site.

We chose the Discovery Menu, that is, a menu decided and made on the spot in which all plates are a surprise. We were approached by Chef Philippe Etchebest, elected with the desirable "Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2000," to welcome us, and to ask if we had any real or imaginary allergy, so that he could better let his imagination run. He decided that we would have Cepe/Poele, Foie gras de canard, Turbot sauvage, Poitrine de veau, followed by cheeses and 2 desserts, with small changes of flavor (Amuse Bouche) in between each course. We accompanied the food with a 2005 Clerc Millon (Pauillac, with strong terroir and a very fine structure), and the desserts with a Doisy Vedrines 2002 (Sauternes).

Without a doubt, the 2 Michelin stars are well deserved, even though the service was a bit impersonal, and in which the roles are reversed: it is the restaurant that makes a favor for allowing us to enjoy their wonderful food, as opposed to us, the clients, making it possible for them to exist. Vive la France! Two details are worth mentioning: First, the incredible view, without comparison anywhere in the world. And the second, something we have never seen before: a tray, not of desserts, cheeses or pisco, but of teas! In other words, a tray with a series of crystal pots in which there are dozens of varieties of mints, chamomiles, boldos, happily grow, and which are trimmed on site with specially designed tiny scissors. There is no way to complain that the infusion is not fresh.

To all of this, we need to add that there was a huge, bright, full moon, and that it was Illuminata´s 50th birthday. After almost 4 hours of these successive pleasures, Monsieur Etchebest once again approached us, at the time of the birthday cake, to ask, with a huge smile, if we were satisfied.... in summary, an unforgettable and highly recommendable place.

Salvador and Illuminata