michelin stars and gourmet meals in normandy

by Sharon Santoni

 

strawberry desert chez jardin plumes giverny

Today was the Big Day, the day that has French chefs trembling in fear and anticipation, the day when, each year, Michelin edits its new restaurant guide, and most importantly unveils its new list of Michelin stars.

embroidered michelin logo

Good food is taken very seriously in France.

It is impossible to write that sentence without realising how much of an understatement it is.   Sit down at a table to eat a good meal with a crowd of French friends, and more often than not the conversation will start around the food.   How is it prepared, how does this recipe compare to another similar, which wine would best suit this dish ….

The Michelin announcement made the headlines today, and this evening there will be a special ceremony with the minister for the Interior and the minister for tourism present!  There’ll probably be something nice to eat!

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Lots of people love to cook, but on a domestic level we are planets, no,  light years away from the expertise and fervour deployed  in the top restaurants.

mchelin-restaurants-my-french-country-home

We are very lucky here in Normandy to have a wonderful restaurant, right at the heart of Giverny, called Le Jardin des Plumes.  I am thrilled to say that today they were awarded their first Michelin star!

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I remember the very first time I ate there, on St Valentines day a couple of years ago.  The food was so beautiful that we sat and looked for a while before eating, and so delicious that it took my breath away.

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Cuisine at this level is an art that demands years of practice and dedication.  Perfection is achieved each day.   Today, I lift my hat to the team at Le Jardin des Plumes, and wish them every success in the year ahead.

fine food at le jardin des plumes

Le Jardin des Plumes
1 rue du milieu, 27620 Giverny

 

15 comments

Florence Brown February 2, 2015 - 3:37 pm

Oh that I could like that !!!!!

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Avril February 2, 2015 - 4:08 pm

I think your piles of vegetables and chocolate puddings from the post before look so much more interesting. I think I dislike food where it looks as if the chef has had his/her fingers on every piece of food several times in order to arrange it into an art work!

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Pam Mastin February 2, 2015 - 7:31 pm

I’m sure it’s delicious and I can appreciate the effort and expertise that goes into but I must say that I agree with you.

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Susan Hunt February 2, 2015 - 4:26 pm

I agree with Avril, pretty but fussy. On Saturday evening for supper with friends, I made a steak and mushroom pie, mashed potato, carrots and cabbage, their faces when I brought the pie in was just a joy, the men especially do love a pie.

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Eileen February 2, 2015 - 5:05 pm

I agree. Presentation is important but so often in top restaurants it seems to also be what the men in my life call “cuisine minuscule.” Not saying size counts but ………..

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Karena February 2, 2015 - 5:05 pm

Sharon how fortunate to have le Jardins des Plumes right in your neighborhood!
It is like a work of art, the food, and dining at this level of expertise.

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

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Colleen Taylor February 2, 2015 - 5:26 pm

I always admire these works of art from chefs as these five stars assemble, however, at the same time I must say I dislike the pretentiousness of it all. Just my humble opinion Sharon. I hope no offense is taken because none was certainly intended. X

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Sharon Santoni February 2, 2015 - 8:09 pm

That is interesting that you should think that Colleen. I am the first to love a home cooked meal, but frankly I have eaten meals in this restaurant that left me speechless – well almost 🙂

There is a quality of distinctive flavours, and the sheer technical prowess, of such precision cooking and display, …. I find it very admirable. I suppose I see this as any other craft, there is great beauty in such hard earned expertise.

I certainly took no offence at your comment, but if ever you come to Normandy, then I shall invite you out to lunch at Les Plumes, and we’ll see if we can change your opinion 🙂

xx

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Peggy Braswell February 2, 2015 - 5:31 pm

congratulations le Jardins des Plumes + they deserve that. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Roxane Lacroix February 3, 2015 - 12:29 am

Exquisite food, but it doesn’t look very filling. Unless, of course, there’s a myriad of courses. It is such a pleasure to have food so well presented. We have a local upscale restaurant in what was once a diner, so you can see right into the grill and prep area. You can watch the kitchen staff lovingly place each piece of lettuce, radish, carrot, etc on the salad plate. Such a work of art, I feel so guilty spearing everything with my fork!

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Vivien smith February 3, 2015 - 3:02 am

Thanks for recommending this lovely place last May. Bohn, myself and our friends, were enchanted to share a meal on a cool rainy day!!

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Katherine February 3, 2015 - 3:03 am

I believe that many people do not understand the concept of Michelin star restaurants. It is the food, the service, the exceptional choices, the experience. The staff is trained in all area’s to bring absolute perfection to the guest.
We enjoyed the Michelin restaurant at Hostellerie de Levernois about a half dozen years ago. I was intoxicated by the food, it was an incredible experience.

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Marian from UK February 3, 2015 - 1:20 pm

While I agree that home cooked food is wonderful, I do think that when we dine out, we want a different experience, something special. I have eaten in restaurants where there is so much food on the plate, it’s overwhelming, and not nicely presented, just too much. My husband and I stayed in a lovely hotel on the sussex coast a few years ago and the food in their restaurant was fabulous. It was presented carefully in small portions as per your photos, but because the flavours were so wonderful – each item had its own delicious flavour and was cooked to perfection, it was so much more satisfying. When it arrived, we thought – gosh that’s not going to fill us up, but it did! It’s the flavour not the quantity that matters. So, bring it on for home cooked food, but congratulations to Les Plumes for their success and I look forward to eating there when I finally visit Normandy!

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stacey snacks February 4, 2015 - 9:25 pm

Beautiful food and flowers………..it’s funny to see corn on the cob in France (which I never have before) and in the winter!
I am craving corn now!!!!

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laura wilson February 6, 2015 - 1:30 pm

I have been lucky to eat at a few Michelin starred restaurants in my life and each one was exceptional. Everything was perfection. From the dining room to the powder room, from the waiters to the person who takes your coat– service elevated to the highest level. As for the small plates, I agree with Marian, when the food is perfect, you do not need as much, because you are so satisfied. I want to go there now–on my list!!!

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