Nantes
vue du monde

vue du monde

18 rue Armand Brossard | 18 Rue Armand Brossard, 44000, Nantes, France

Café • Français • Nourriture • International


"When in Nantes at the last-minute, I used my TA app on my iPhone to find something great near me. I called, and the person I spoke to couldn't have nicer, and said "come on over". I did. The restaurant was virtually empty, despite the fact that a couple of other places I called were booked solid and had no more tables available. The "acceuil" (welcome) couldn't have been nicer. The choices on offer were a fixed formula of 2 entrées, 2 mains, and 2 desserts. I was told that this was as they use only fresh products. I chose a main of cheese/pesto stuffed ravioli with a cream, tomato and cilantro sauce. It arrived quickly, but was maybe room temperature. The hope of fresh cilantro giving a "twist" to the dish, was there, but a bit in the background. I was a bit disappointed, as I couldn't identify the ravioli as being "home-made". In fact, nothing seemed to be fresh/hand chopped, like the tomatoes. I had the bread pudding for dessert, and it arrived also room temperature, was clearly "home-made" with pears, and clearly bread chunks on the top, with a swirl of chocolate for garnish. It was a bit dry, clearly not made very recently, and the inside (where the bread aspect should have been well-infused), was not throughout. The top of the "cake" had hard, dry bread chunks on it. My impression was that perhaps it was a "slow day", and they weren't putting much effort into it by serving something freshly cooked. There was only one other diner in the place. On the other hand, the serveuse could not have been nicer or more helpful. They feature an interesting international, short wine list with everything available by the glass. The dinner menu (on the blackboard on the wall), looked interesting. I think it merits trying again, if they turn on the stove and start serving food hot off the burner, as the interesting menu seasoning is attractive. Great service, but the food was mediocre this day."

Bistrot l'alchimiste

Bistrot l'alchimiste

7 rue Saint Denis, 44000, Nantes, France

Glace • Soupe • Poisson • Français


"l'Alchimiste refers to itself as a Bistrot, conjuring visions of moules with pomme frites and steak tartare. You will have none of this here. Instead, you will enjoy a cerebral, delicately wrought meal of the highest quality and finesse. Recently we were impressed at an early dinner for three on a Friday evening. l'Alchimiste is nicely situated near the Nantes cathedral, with a comfortable, reasonably spacious and quiet dining room. We were warmly welcomed by our server, who was attentive throughout the dinner, anticipating all of our requests. The menu at l'Alchimiste changes often, and is typically limited to a choice of three entrees (appetizers), two meat and two fish plats (main courses), and choice of either a cheese plate or three different desserts. The food is delicately wrought, perfectly prepared, and beautifully presented. Two of our party started with a pumpkin soup topped with a hazelnut mousse, and the other had shrimp nems with a pomegranate sauce. These entrees were excellent. For the plat, one of us had monk fish with grilled apples, another sea bass with potatoes and mango, and our third plat was a filet of beef with a mushroom pastry. All three were beautifully presented, and accompanied by delicate and rich sauces. We left nothing on any of our plates. Servings were generous, and there was no room for cheese. For desserts we had a complex nougat ice cream with a caramel sauce, creme brulee with red pepper, and a fig macaroon with glacee. The wine list at l'Alchimiste is well chosen and well priced, with many selections under 30 euros. We had a superb and locally produced 2009 Pierre Luneau-Papin Excelsoir muscadet, priced at 29 euros. They say that restaurants are tested when key staff are absent. On the night of our visit the chef de cuisine was absent and had surrendered his stoves to his female sous chef. Nonetheless we had a memorable meal of which a fine restaurant would be proud. Prices are more than fair for food of this quality, with 20-23 euro plats. We spend considerable time not too far from Nantes, and after our recent experience, it will not be long before we return. If you find yourself in Nantes, you will surely have an exhilarating dining experience at l'Alchimiste."