All Roads lead to Champagne
One of the most memorable culinary trips was our journey through the beautiful countryside of Reims, Champagne. Other than the simple fact that I absolutely ADORE fine bubbles, there are many gastronomic delights to discover and taste along the way. Plus, there is a road named "Avenue du Champagne" where all of the famous Champagne houses are situated. Now if there ever was an address that I highly coveted, that would be it. Forget Rue Saint Honore, move me in please!
If you are in search for a lovely dining experience in the Champagne region, book a table at L'Assiette Champenoise Arnaud Lallement. Boasting three Michelin Stars, this auberge certainly lives up to its reputation. With its perfectly manicured gardens, contemporary decor, extensive list of the finest Champagnes in the region and Chef Arnaud's fine French cuisine, L'Assiette Champenoise is a destination in itself.
L'Assiette Champenoise is a family property founded by Chef Arnaud Lallement's parents nearly 40 years ago, with Chef Arnaud at the kitchen's helm and his wife Magali and sister Mélanie managing the establishment.
Chef Arnaud knew right from a young age that he wanted to be a chef and learned from some of the great Chefs during his training including; Roger Vergé, Michel Guérard and Alain Chapel
Both tasting menu and a la carte options are available. Unwind with a glass or two of Champagne on the terrace along with your Amuse-bouches, before heading into the dining room. The wine list is very extensive with a selection of over 3,500 labels and 26,000 bottles in the cellar.
We opted for the lunch tasting menu and began our tasting with some lovely Amuse-bouches in the garden. Eventually we moved into the main dining room to savour the rest of the tasting menu.
The Brittany scallops with Shellfish cream was light yet rich in flavour. The tomato salad was refreshing with just the right hint of pesto.
The mains followed with a lightly smoked John Dory with langoustine mousse and Andouillette, a regional specialty. The Andouillette at L'Assiette Champenoise is probably one of the best andouillettes I have ever tasted. Andouillette is a coarse-grained sausage traiditionally made with pork, chitterlings, pepper, wine, onions, and seasonings.
The dessert selection could be another meal of its own. The selection of petit fours presented; dark chocolate, canelés, lemon tarts, bonbons, pâte de fruit and florentines were already a dessert lovers dream.
Cannelés are a traditional French pastry flavoured with rum and vanilla, originating from the region of Bordeaux. These cannelés had a rich, moist and tender custard center with a caramalized crust.
We were delighted to see Gariguette strawberries as one of the desserts. Gariguettes are considered the most delicious, sweetest and fragrant strawberries in France. The shape of the fruits is elongated and often quite small and grown in the countryside of Provence, where there is ample sun.
The peach dessert was tasty though was nothing in comparison to the Gariguettes.
A Solera Ratafia de Champagne from Henri Giraud, a beautifully golden hue liquor produced in the region was paired with our desserts. Ratafia is an ancestral method of preserving fruit juice in the same way that salting was used to preserve meat. The fruit juices are chosen from the best cuvees, aged in small oak barrels then blended around a heart of Pinot Noir D’Aÿ. Soléra is an traditional method of maturing and gradually assembling different vintages, a fortified style of wine generally used for great Port wines.
Four hours later we were beyond stuffed and could barely make it to our next Champagne tasting at Maison Veuve Cliquot. But one always has another stomach to enjoy Champagne, so onwards we pressed. 2004 La Grande Dame was certainly worth the wait!
LOCATION
L'Assiette Champenoise
40 Avenue Paul Vaillange-Couturier
Tinqueux, 51430
France
RESERVATIONS
Booking in advance is required by phone at +33 (0) 3 26 84 64 64 or email.