WARNING! The content of this issue may contain graphic images and descriptions of food! Actually there is no "may" about it, but I will keep my food pics to a minimum.
Today was our long awaited reservation for the Auberge de L'Ill in the tiny remote village of Illhausern. I'm embarrassed to say that this our (Dawn and I) sixth visit to this Michelin three star restaurant, considered one of France's best. Remember that three stars is as high as restaurants go, anywhere in the world, if they are rated by Michelin.
To step back a moment, the day started off overcast again and probably threatening rain. We headed out for Illhausern at 10:30 via the Alsace Route du Vin, which in my mind is the prettiest wine road anywhere we've visited. Every village is a fairy tale treat with scenes like this.
We also made a brief visit to Louis Sipp, our favourite Alsace vintner in Ribeauville.
We had a comprehensive tasting with the wife of Louis Sipp's great grandson. We focused on Grand Crus, virtually unavailable in Canada and found that we liked the Kirchberg ones best. We walked away heavily laden with over two cases of wonder.
Then we were off to lunch, a mere 15 minutes from Louis Sipp. The setting of this place is the first remarkable aspect of this restaurant. Set on the Ill River, it is the essence of eloquence. Lunch today was in the main dining room shown below.
We all opted for the Menu at 129 Euros per person, a five course plus menu with many small treats before and after
the meal.
First course for Claude and I was foie gras while the girls had a unique lobster salad shown below.
Then we all indulged in the salmon souffle, the dish for which the Auberge received their third star. I think the construction of this dish is a well kept secret. It was fabulous!
For mains, Carole had veal, shown below, with a stuffed zucchini flower. Dawn had lamb loin chops while Claude and I had the "tout est bon dans le cochon" - all that is good about the pig, with four unique selections; blood sausage, a chop, cheek and a bacon like I've never had.
After the cheese course, Claude, Dawn and I had a dessert consisting of various chocolate treats - shown below - while Carole had a melon and green lemon sorbet.
We started lunch at 1:00 and walked away from the restaurant at 5:00 feeling that we may never eat again, not that the volume of food was overwhelming, but rather that the taste experience was one to be cherished and never forgotten.
As a foot note, we had two bottles of wine with lunch, the first a Klipfel Grand cru Riesling for 60 euros and a Domaine des Senechaux Chateauneuf du Pape for 88 euros. Today is sure to be the culinary highlight of this trip!
We also made a brief visit to Louis Sipp, our favourite Alsace vintner in Ribeauville.
We had a comprehensive tasting with the wife of Louis Sipp's great grandson. We focused on Grand Crus, virtually unavailable in Canada and found that we liked the Kirchberg ones best. We walked away heavily laden with over two cases of wonder.
Then we were off to lunch, a mere 15 minutes from Louis Sipp. The setting of this place is the first remarkable aspect of this restaurant. Set on the Ill River, it is the essence of eloquence. Lunch today was in the main dining room shown below.
We all opted for the Menu at 129 Euros per person, a five course plus menu with many small treats before and after
the meal.
First course for Claude and I was foie gras while the girls had a unique lobster salad shown below.
Then we all indulged in the salmon souffle, the dish for which the Auberge received their third star. I think the construction of this dish is a well kept secret. It was fabulous!
For mains, Carole had veal, shown below, with a stuffed zucchini flower. Dawn had lamb loin chops while Claude and I had the "tout est bon dans le cochon" - all that is good about the pig, with four unique selections; blood sausage, a chop, cheek and a bacon like I've never had.
After the cheese course, Claude, Dawn and I had a dessert consisting of various chocolate treats - shown below - while Carole had a melon and green lemon sorbet.
As a foot note, we had two bottles of wine with lunch, the first a Klipfel Grand cru Riesling for 60 euros and a Domaine des Senechaux Chateauneuf du Pape for 88 euros. Today is sure to be the culinary highlight of this trip!
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