Am Par Alexandre Mazzia

Another example of showing Michelin star restaurant is all about consistency. Dine at the chef table and enjoyed seeing how the process worked where the chef does the final quality control to ensure consistent presentation of dishes to customers. Wine pairing was overall good. The only combo I did not like was the selection to pair with cheese. Camembert is cheese with strong character and so as the selected wine.

We came here for a celebration and had reserved the chef's table where all the action of food preparation was unfolding before our eyes. What a spectacular dinner, our gustatory papillae where celebration a voyage of different tastes, departing from France to Africa to the far east and back! The servings were exquisite as the hand made dishware. So much attention to detail, the professional, extremely friendly staff guiding us through the voyage was a outstanding. Bravo for Alexandre and the entire team!

23rd in my 3 stars Michelin Marathon in France (follow me for reviews and updates) The Jazzman The usual 3 stars question, « What’s extraordinary here? » is simple to answer : Him I’ll focus on only 2 points otherwise It’s going to be flagged again as being too long to be true. When I was doing my intense 3 stars tour in the south, this review was already done in my mind. Each chef had their trait, and he was this French chef, arriving from the African continent, straight to Marseille, with his spices, pepper and roasting, playing/experiencing with our senses. Until I met Chef Arnaud Donckele. I was quickly debriefing him of where I was in my tour, and about to start speaking of Alexandre Mazzia when he stopped me right there and said “He’s a Jazz player”. I was so happy, I could have hugged him! If I hadn’t been in a three stars, if it was not the second time I met him in my life, and if it hadn’t been for my education that prevents me to do so. Yes, of course, he’s a Jazz player. It’s not like Gagnaire with an universe and its satellites. Dishes are notes, with their own tempo, from which you jump to another chord, another small plate. Like a jazz player, he’s not in a classical register, he’s using structures and even notes, blue notes, that are reminiscent of another continents, of other times. He’s playing with the audience perception, anticipating its reaction, just like an astute jazz player. I’m a huge Mingus fan. One of Mingus quality as a Jazzman, was that he was able to make you go through a reflection by making you feel the thought process. Others are explaining you, or just able to share one single emotion. It’s a big difference. Here, he’s sharing a reflection. May be both on his life and his work, but finally by an ultimate mirror effect, by “reflection”, on the gastronomy. He’s not just a jazz player, he’s a Jazzman. Ok, enough with the crazy review. What’s in it for me? You ll have fun, you’ll be surprised, you’ll be entertained. The service and the atmosphere is of a 3 stars auteur. You’ll have some well rounded professional serving mainly foodies. The chef universe can be felt in every detail, and the chef does pay attention to detail… It’s a top tiers 3 stars playing in its own registry

So it's a very hard review for me, because... while being there i loved almost everything about the experience but... then we got sick. At first we thought thats just because it was so much food (and we took the middle journey) but nope... when it lasted 48 hours it became obvious that's not it. Maybe (but only maybe and also i just can't believe it till now that smth would be just not fresh...) it was the variety of ingridents that cause the food poisining. But on the other hand if that was the case, it still happened and it happened to both of us in 3 Michelin star restaurant ;/ so you decide on your own what to do with this knowledge. But going back: almost everything from the menu (maybe except from the last "main" dishes") is playful, unpredictible and its just soo sooo much fun :) Service is just perfect, they do give you all the informations but still leave pleanty of space to just be with each other and to have fun. The Chef is actually there and actually cares about his guests :) The desserts and the the tea as a final touch are really amazing. I would highly recommend trying it but i cant give it 5 stars after all we went through.