This was published 9 years ago
Where to eat in Beaune, France: Chef Jacques Reymond
In Beaune, the wine is excellent, the asparagus is great and you can get ''the best chicken in the world'', says chef Jacques Reymond.
French connection: Jacques Reymond.
Famed French-born chef Jacques Reymond closed his celebrated eponymous restaurant in Melbourne earlier this year but still collaborates with family members on Bistro Gitan in South Yarra and the soon-to-be-opened L'Hotel Gitan in Prahran. He is a consultant to Dish'd, an online gourmet meal delivery service. See dishd.com.au.
Where's the best table in Beaune?
I visit Beaune every year. It's 60 kilometres from my village. I love it for the buzzing food and Burgundy wine scene, and it's always a great meeting point to see all my winemaker friends to catch up for lunch or dinner. Le Montrachet Restaurant in Puligny Montrachet, five minutes from Beaune, serves traditional Burgundian food in beautiful surroundings. See le-montrachet.com.
Your local food find of the past year?
The Saturday Market in Beaune is of exceptional quality, and last year we found the most succulent white asparagus - so sweet and plump and juicy. All the produce is from small local growers. The other local food we found last year was the boutique mustard factory in the centre of Beaune, which produces many varieties of excellent mustard. You can also make your own blend of mustard. See fallot.com.
What's the best-kept food secret in Beaune?
The best chicken in the world, "poulet de Bresse", is there, as Beaune is next to the Bresse region. You buy direct from the farmer who processes the bird you have chosen, and you collect it the next day from the farm.
What's your favourite indulgence in Beaune?
Traditional Burgundian cuisine, which has not changed. I love the escargots, coq au vin, egg en meurrette and, of course, the kir royale made from local creme de cassis and a cremant de Bourgogne, which is a sparkling wine.
What's hot in the area right now?
The caveau de degustation (tasting cellars) in Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet - tastings of the best Burgundy wines at a very reasonable price. It is a great opportunity to taste all these wines in one place and buy your favourites afterwards.
Best time to visit and why, food-wise?
We love to go in September because of all the beautiful autumn produce coming in: all the varieties of mushrooms, the ripe berries and stone fruits at their best. There are new potatoes with so much flavour and the cheese is back in abundance.
What should a visitor avoid food-wise in Beaune?
The restaurants that cater for the tourists in the Place Carnot, where the food is very ordinary, expensive and inappropriate to the beautiful town of Beaune.
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