Sunday, June 30, 2013

Vigna Rionda di Massolino Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2011

Date of Tasting: 16 April 2013
Wine Type: Sweet White (dessert wine)
Grape Varieties: 100% Moscato Bianco
Alcohol: 5.0%
Origin: Serralunga d'Alba, Italy
Appellation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
Expect to Pay: THB800 – 1,200 (retail price in Thailand)
Web: http://www.massolino.it/
Chubby Score: 90/100
Value for money: 8/10
Professional Rating: n.a.






Appearance: bright golden yellow
Aroma: fresh and fruity bouquet with pear-like
Palate: very light and fine effervescence but not so frothy and creamy, sweet but not immense, delicious scent of citrus and honey, delicate acidity with decent finish

Not so expensive with degree of joyfulness. I particularly enjoy this wine on any chill weekend. It is a kind of dessert wine that is enjoyable as aperitif. Of course, it should go pretty well with fruity dessert like apple tart or key lime pie too. Appreciation goes to its fine fragance. Drink it now and make sure it is chilled. Raise a glass!!!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Château De Pray @ Amboise-Chargé, France

Cuisine: French
Price: EUR69 per person (what I paid for)
Visited: 5 May 2013
Food: 8/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Value for money: 9/10
Services: 8/10

The dining room of Chateau de Pray is the most favourite of all restaurants during my trip to France in 2013. The chateau itself is one fine luxury hotel. It is located just at the edge of Amboise and Charge. This is a really nice place. There is a fairly large and comfortable backyard where it can be viewed from the restaurant too. Though the place is kept in classic style of decoration in orange theme, it sometimes makes me feel rather weird with the darkness and haunted-like atmosphere.

Chateau de Pray

the red carpet (^3^)

At the time of our visit, Chateau de Pray did offer 2 choices of tasting menu: 4 courses for EUR55 or 5 courses for EUR68. My particular attention would be to the wine list. The range of wine offered is largely local wine from Loire Valley. All are in decent price. We did hesitate to try both white and red to match white and red meats of our dishes. Special attention to the sommelier of the restaurant who recommended such lovely wine to match fabulously.

the classic setting of dining room

table arrangement

the menu

The choice of bread was plainly white or brown. The amuse bouche for the night was mackerel with cucumber and seaweed that was light, fresh, and forestry: boosting the appetite indeed (8/10).


amuse bouche

The first course was white asparagus from Richelaos, cream of Bresse and capucine (8/10). We seemed to have asparagus almost every meal here due to the season of asparagus. The asparagus was firm and soft. The aromatic and spicy flower matched the creamy sauce. This was the dish for Spring time definitely. To go with asparagus and scallop for next course, we had half a bottle of Le Claux Delorme Valencay Minchin 2011 which is a local white wine with sauvignon blanc as the single variety: love, light, and crisp.

white wine of the night

white asparagus from Richelaos, cream of Bresse and capucine

Next was scallops, "Boule de Siam", Sorrel and scallop sauce (8/10). This was again a yummy dish to experience. Light and creamy sauce to pair with perfectly cooked scallops: kind of classic. I may like this dish a lot, however, it may not be the so so great dish. At least it was enjoyable enough to be called delightful.

scallops, "Boule de Siam", Sorrel and scallop sauce

closer look to scallop

For meat course, we were served with slow roasted duck, spring carrots and lemon from Menton (8/10). This was the highlight for the night. Obviously, we did not hesitate to have red wine to match (with again good recommendation from the sommelier): Domaines Amirault Grosbois Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Les Mullaudieres 2011, which is cabernet franc dominated wine. The duck was so fine, tender, and smooth. Another classic dish that served with gravy made from duck jus and citrus. Spices aroma came from mashed parsley. The sense of sweetness and freshness from carrots and green gave the final touch (9/10).

red wine of the night

slow roasted duck, spring carrots and lemon from Menton

Before dessert, a selection of cheese to be chosen from plateau of cheeses was served. These are fine and quality range: from cow to goat, and soft to hard. They were served with walnut or apricot and peach breads (9/10). For myself, I love soft cheeses so only soft cheese for me on the night. For those who cannot take cheese, you may ask for substitution. We got offered with green salad with balsamic instead (^.^).

green salad

plateau of cheeses

my creamy and soft selection of cheeses

To end the meal, "Gariguette" strawberries from the valley, fennel and astina cress was offered. So refreshing that brought the sense of Summer. Special attention to local strawberries that were really fresh and sweet paired with sour taste of sorbet (7/10). Of course, a selection of petit fours was the final "finale".

"Gariguette" strawberries from the valley, fennel and astina cress

petit fours

All in all, Chateau de Pray is one fine restaurant that worth a visit. Price is not excessive, food and wine are delightful, and services are good (good English speaking too). Personally, I will sure give it a return if I have a chance.

Château De Pray @ Chargé, France
Rue du Cedre
Amboise-Charge 37530
France

Open Hours: Wednesday - Sunday for lunch between 12:00hrs and 13:30hrs and dinner between 19:00hrs and 21:00hrs. No lunch for Wednesday.
Tel: +33 (0) 2 47 57 23 67
Webhttp://www.chateaudepray.fr/

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Le Claux Delorme Valencay Minchin 2011

Date of Tasting: 5 May 2013
Wine Type: White
Grape Varieties: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 12.5%
Origin: Valencay, France
Appellation: Appellation Valencay Controlee
Expect to Pay: EUR15 - 20
Web: n.a.
Chubby Score: 90/100
Value for money: 8/10
Professional Rating: n.a.





Appearance: pale golden yellow
Aroma: nose of white fruits such as peach and pear
Palate: acidity is bright and refreshing, it firstly attached with fruity citrus and apple notes and fresh acidity, then followed by floral aroma and mineral

A good bottle from local Loire vineyard with 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Really good price and ready to be enjoy now. Light and fresh: really good for Summer heat. It should pair really well with seafood dishes and any light dishes. Raise your glass!!!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Domaines Amirault Grosbois Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Les Mullaudieres 2011

Date of Tasting: 5 May 2013
Wine Type: Red
Grape Varieties: 100% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 12.5%
Origin: Touraine, France
Appellation: Appeliation Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Controlee
Expect to Pay: EUR20 - 30
Web: http://www.amirault-grosbois.com/
Chubby Score: 91/100
Value for money: 8/10
Professional Rating: n.a.





Appearance: purpleish red
Aroma: intense and elegant nose of red berries and tobacco
Palate: medium-bodied with dissolved silky tannins, straight forward with characteristic of cabernet franc, waves of note of classic berries, show some spices, good acidity to balance

This is a very good and easy drinking bottle of cabernet franc from Touraine. Very aromatic and fruity with smooth touch. It is a wine to be drunk young. Very good price for this quality bottle of wine. I wish I could bring a lot back home.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Le Jules Verne @ Tour Eiffel, Paris, France

Cuisine: French
Price: EUR95 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)
Visited: 10 May 2013
Food: 6/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Value for money: 4/10
Services: 5/10

To dine at Le Jules Verne is probably another quick way to go up Tour Eiffel without waiting for the long long queue. We were probably (or not) fortunate to successfully make a booking for lunch at this restaurant. Without surprise, the place was packed with customers at that time such that random walk-in clients were not accepted at all. Le Jules Verne is located at the height of 123 metre above ground (1st floor of Tour Eiffel if I am not wrong ^^).



Indeed, Le Jules Verne gives such prestige view of Paris. For us, we were seated right next to window with good view. Although it was not the perfect clear sky day, we still viewed Sacre Coeur at the far end rather clearly. For the dining room, it was decorated in modern style that made us feel like some kind of shuttle space (perhaps).

view of Paris from Le Jules Verne with Sacre Coeur at the far end

modern style dining room, space-like in fact

some work of art dish ~.~"

just the menu

For lunch time, there is a 3-courses lunch available apart from the a la carte menu, which is priced at EUR90 per person: expensive indeed for 1 Michelin Star restaurant but in return of experience and view of Paris. As in typical restaurant, the meal started with a small portion of amuse bouche and choices of bread. There were white bread, brown bread, and croissant available. Breads were rather tough in texture but croissant was perfectly yummy ^^.

amuse bouche

bread and butter ^^


As there were 3 choices for each course and there were 3 of us, so we didn't hesitate to try all dishes in the lunch menu. First of the starters was melted seasonal vegetables, pot-au-feu broth (8/10). It was consume soup with beef as the base broth and served along with beef ravioli: lovely and not too salty with nice aroma. Delicious dish.

Next one was foi gras and preserved duck layers, spring salad, toasted brioche (6/10). This was a piece of classically yummy terrine with layers of duck to give a second dimension of texture and flavour. However, it was not of the top quality we experienced. Additionally, the along side brioche was not so well integrated with the taste of this foie gras from our view though.

Lastly, we had salmon marinated with lemon/caviar,/vodka, mimosa garnish (4/10). This was the least savoury dish amongst the starters. Plain and too normal in flavour. We could not distinguish the different between the one at high standard such as this Le Jules Verne and typical smoked salmon elsewhere. Good point was the saltiness was not excessive. Well, enjoyable but we expect more from this class of fine dining.

melted seasonal vegetables, pot-au-feu broth

foie gras and preserved duck layers, spring salad, toasted brioche

salmon marinated with lemon/caviar,/vodka, mimosa garnish

For main courses, there were rabbit, chicken, and fish choices. We feel that main courses were the least impressive course here.

Well, let start with saddle of farm rabbit, tender potato and Swiss chard (5/10). It was simply tender pieces of rabbit with gravy. Though it was tender but it gave mouth-dry touching on the palate. free-range chicken and crayfish fricassee, lightly creamy jus (4/10) looked striking at the first sight. But delicacy was not there. Rather nice matching of chicken with reduced crayfish sauce but the sauce could have been creamier. The last one was pan-seared John Dory, green asparagus and fresh almonds (6/10). Probably the nicest of the three. Almond crusted fillets with cream sauce and lots of green part. If the fish was not overcooked to give softer mouth-feel, we may love this dish. However, the crispy crusted almond and aroma of lime were touchy.

saddle of farm rabbit, tender potato and Swiss chard

pan-seared John Dory, green asparagus and fresh almonds

free-range chicken and crayfish fricassee, lightly creamy jus

Coming to the highlight part of the meal: dessert. The first one was roasted pineapple, crunchy/iced-coconut (8/10). This one gave fresh and tangy mood. The icy touch of coconut was splendid for Summer. Tropical combination it was. Baba with Armagnac, lightly whipped cream (8/10) was classically delicious. Supreme range of armagnac with sweet baba dough and vanilla cream. Just too good: quality ingredients. The last to mention is chocolate/gianduja composition (7/10). The least favourite amongst dessert but still good. Thick and rich chocolate layers of cake and ice-cream: love the bitterness part of chocolate ^^. Again simply and typical delicious dessert. A good way to end the meal.

roasted pineapple, crunchy/iced-coconut

Baba with Armagnac, lightly whipped cream

lovely cream ^[]^

chocolate/gianduja composition

petit fours

To experience or to surprise your date or any special event, Le Jules Verne is surely an exceptional venue. Food is good but not great in summary. But atmosphere and view are perfect. Though we were not there for dinner, we think view of Paris at night should be more charming. Just 1 point that let us down a little was the service, we feel that some of the staffs are not friendly, unhelpful, and lack of professional service mind for example a staff was surprised that I did not finish my bread but asked for croissant instead (what's wrong with preferring croissant T.T"): anyway we took it easy and just looked over it. Well, a good experience in life for us and you may probably give it a go if you have a chance: go and enjoy the atmosphere but not the food. Perhaps, the 1 Michelin Star of Le Jules Verne is not because of its delicacy but its surrounding instead.

Le Jules Verne @ Tour Eiffel, Paris, France
6 Avenue Gustave Eiffel
Paris 75007
France

Open Hours: daily for lunch between 12:00hrs and 13:30hrs and dinner between 19:00hrs and 21:30hrs
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