Dine Around Cruise in Burgundy!

Savoir Vivre Restaurant Guide 2011


Dine Around In Burgundy!

One of the core values of “The Savoir Vivre Way” is our All-Inclusive on shore evening dining format. As we see it, if you come to France to experience its culture and food then the best way is is to explore authentic local restaurants. The services of a private chef is very nice (we use one for our lunch service), but you are missing a significant part of the French experience if you don't visit its restaurants. To illustrate this subtle but very important difference, we invite you to find out more about our restaurants with our comprehensive guide.

The Restaurants

If you look on the internet you may find a website or Trip Advisor recommendation for our restaurants. Or you may not! If you look at our guest book, you will find guests who were frankly blown away by the variety, authenticity and exceptional quality of the dining experiences they enjoyed. Quite simply the traditional local chef-patron restaurants we visit embody the original French gastronomic tradition where one lives by ones reputation. They have been selected by François Everson (your Guide,a veteran barger and a Burgundy expert) and, credit to his judgement, we have not made a single change to this years restaurant selection. As you scroll down you will find information covering the history, ownership, specialties and the occasional fascinating stories behind the culinary adventure that awaits you on your Savoir Vivre cruise.

L'Auberge Gourmande
A friendly and warm welcome awaits you by Delphine and Christophe Faivre at the L'Auberge Gourmande. Situated in Velars-sur-Ouche, Delphine and Christophe's goal is no less than “to satisfy all your desires and we will spare no effort in doing so. We want our guests enjoy quality service and we strive to offer all the comfort you deserve.”The restaurant is located on a quiet street in this typical village and has two rooms with elegant décor, air conditioning and a pleasant terrace outside.Head Chef Christophe learned his craft at the Moulin de Saint Remy Martorey, Guy Savoy,Negresco, Girardet in Switzerland as well as spending seven years abroad (Tel Aviv, Israel,Brazil Rio, London, and on a private yacht for a billionaire Englishman). So his credentials speak volumes! The result of all this effort?

A recent restaurant critic declared that this restaurant offers a “pleasant setting for a restaurant that that is going places, the food was exquisite”.

Menu Highlights

Specialties Include:

Eggplant Tartare with Balsamic Vinegar,
Espuma Melon Lemon Balm

Cromes Quis Fried Ham with Parsley
Burgundy Escargot, Hummus, and Wild Garlic
Confit of Lamb Shoulder in
Kefta stuffed Tomato Juice Concentrate,
Rosemary and Paprika

Its no surprise that this restaurant is tipped for big things, we've caught it during its ascendency, we think this is the “Savoir Vivre” time to visit!

L'Eire du Temps
This more simple restaurant has delighted the inhabitants of the Ouche Valley since its inception two years ago. Dining on the outside terrace surrounded by golden-hued, century old buildings only adds to the charm. The restaurant is located on the town hall square,has a lovely view over the valley and is near to the
famous “Jardins de Barbirey”. What you may have spotted is the deliberately misspelled name! “L'Eire du Temps” as opposed to “L'Aire du Temps” which itself is a somewhat complex expression which plays on semantics to do with the range and changes of time and mood. ANYWAY! The Eire bit hints at the innovative interpretation this restaurant takes to French cuisine by Theresa Pageault, the Irish owner and her head chef Selby Clements. Since opening, the restaurant has quickly built up a keen and loyal following from those who appreciate its lovely location and ever changing& creative menu.

Menu Highlights

Selby's menu blends traditional French and Irish specialties. This includes:
'ridiculously tasty' Oeufs en Meurette,
Beef with Guinness and
the 200 year old favorite, Irish Stew

If you're feeling a little 'wined out' then there is Guinness available all year round! As an interesting and casual alternative, L'Eire du Temps has proven a tremendous success with Savoir Vivre's guests and we're pleased to include it again for our 2011 season.

Ferme de Rolle
Long before her Michelin Star grade owners took residence, the site of the Ferme de Rolle experienced a fascinating history involving peasants, pig farmers, and soldiers gaining a strategic advantage. Over century ago sixteen households (pop. 30)lived in and around the current building – three wells assured water supply to the modest community.In 1933 the buildings and surrounding land were converted into a pig farm! A Mr. George Flacelière developed and later sold the farm to a Mr Denvin. However, during the Second World War, in addition to his pigs, Mr Denvin played host to the Canadian allies. The site held a strong position being very close to the farm of La Belle Emélia Saint-Jean-de-Boeuf,occupied by the German army.In 1975 the entire site was given a new lease of life through its conversion into a fabulous restaurant which it has remained ever since. Since spring 2004, the Sangoy family, who previously owned the Michelin Star awarded Gevrey-Chambertin', have taken the restaurants to new gastronomic heights.

Menu Highlights

The house specialty is ham roasted over open spit. This hearty traditionally prepared dish compliments this wonderfully historic restaurant.
This is a very special restaurant in the countryside of Burgundy and “the Routedes Grands Crus”, it quite rightly sits at the heart of our restaurant selection.

Auberge Saint Martin
Located in the commune of Bouilland near the historic L'Abbaye Sainte-Marguerite and nestled at the foot of magnificent limestone cliffs, the Auberge Saint Martin occupies a building who's structure dates back to the18thcentury. This charming stone inn is a lovely location in which to experience authentic Burgundian cooking where the freshness and quality of the ingredients used underpin the taste of each dish. Owner and Chef, Marie Luce and Didier Pouletare rightly proud of their Michelin Guide listing and title of “Master Restaurateur de France”.

MenuHighlights
The house specializations are three fold -
Charolaise Beef Fillet with a signature sauce
Ham with Parsley
Coq Au Vin
The very simplicity of these dishes indicates how Mr Poulet keeps his flock of diners coming back again and again – he uses the finest and freshest ingredients he can find and then blends them simply, skilfully and elegantly. Mr Poulet's goal when serving guests is equally elegant - “Our only goal is to ensure you enjoy your time in Bouilland”. Rather fittingly, we'll leave the description of this restaurant just as Mr Poulet would like it, clean simple and without any fuss.

Château Sainte Sabine
The setting for this opulent restaurant is within the magnificent Château Sainte-Sabine, a 17thcentury castle built in an old monastery.Château de Sainte-Sabine sits in grounds of 8 hectares where their farm animals roam freely and share in the unique setting overlooking the medieval village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois.While the beautiful site also hosts a hotel, it is the restaurant we are interested in! Open since 1991 the it offers a dedicated and refined interpretation of creative gourmet and traditional cuisine which, as ever with high quality dining in France, is created through the use of fresh locally sourced produce. The head chef, Gaëtan Potherat, has something of a burgeoning reputation.

A recent review (translated) extolled his skills in producing
“gastronomic music which he creates with the ingredients provided by the soil of Burgundy.A moment of pure happiness which will remain with my taste buds for a longtime.”

We're sure you'll agree it is a promise worth experiencing! This restaurant is one of the more formal highlights of our restaurant itinerary. We seek to offer a pleasant mix of styles and formality on our cruise. As an authentic gastronomic and historical experience, this restaurant earns its place on our itinerary with honors.



Restaurant de l'Auxois
After soaking in the atmosphere of this charming little port where you will likely find boats of all descriptions huddled at the base of the hill on which Chateauneuf en Auxois sits, we invite you to take note of the names of the owners of Restaurant de l'Auxois - Angelika and Hans Juchem. Not very French sounding? You'd be right, they are a German couple who fell so in love with the area that they decided to sell their long established French restaurant in Frankfurt and open a new chapter in their lives with a French restaurant in France! It's a decision for which they hold no regrets whatsoever – their restaurant enjoys an enviable reputation with a loyal following from locals and visitors alike.


Hans is the head chef who has spent a lifetime specializing in French (and some Italian) style cuisine. His style is a pleasant mix of traditional and modern where presentation counts but does not get in the way of the taste of his creations. The vibrant and enthusiastic Ms. Juchem's talents know no bounds. Not only does she have a in-depth knowledge of the menu and techniques used in the preparation of each dish, she can tell you about them in your choice of four languages! Central to Hans and Angelika's success is the respect they have given to maintain the authenticity of their restaurant's interior and layout. An abundance of stone archways, exposed beams and a central fireplace lend the restaurant a very typical and welcoming casual elegance where guests feel at ease to enjoy each others company and the abundant hospitality provided by Angelika and Hans.

For more information about a "dine around cruise in Burgundy" aboard Savoir Vivre visit www.bargelady.com, where you will find cruise dates and rates, pictures, a sample itinerary, floor plan and guest feed back.