L’Intimiste, a gourmet restaurant in the Ain near Bourg-en-Bresse
A cosy and elegant restaurant
Dark grey, bare tables offering a streamlined design with their black, centrally positioned pedestal, together with an assortment of elegant tableware, floor to ceiling windows and a cellar that can be viewed through a window, all combine to make your visit a truly gourmet experience. The atmosphere in the dining room of L'Intimiste is understated, elegant and welcoming with a delightful contemporary twist.
Chef Christophe Favre, who won a Michelin Plate at L'Auberge, has assembled all the ingredients for you to enjoy a delightful interlude in a cosy setting. Here, you’ll embark on a culinary journey in which you’ll discover a creative cuisine bursting with surprises.
A bold and creative cuisine
At L’Intimiste, chef Christophe Favre harnesses all the skills he has acquired over the course of his career in a number of premium establishments to serve his creativity, always drawing inspiration from the local area and its high-quality produce. The menu changes every fortnight, and in line with the seasons, while his close collaboration with suppliers from the fish market and neighbouring farms and livestock farms allows him to conjure up wonderful combinations and flavours from the south of France, centred around just one exquisite local ingredient, which becomes the main theme of the menu.
Each guest is swept into the world of the chef, who composes a unique score around appetisers, starters, main courses and sometimes even desserts, with the dishes inspired by either a vegetable, a cut of meat or the catch of the day. Depending on availability, there is also an exquisite lobster menu. It is a creative challenge that reflects the passion of this chef who is deeply attached to his terroir and its produce, and keen to surprise and delight with his artful dishes.
À la carte and set menus
- One-off Menu: €65 from 20 June 2024
- Lobster Menu: €85
summer 2024 n° 1, Christophe presents the courgette
-A shot glass of courgette purée with Madras curry spices, whipped Bresse cream and puffed buckwheat seeds, as an appetiser
-Charolais beef tartare seasoned with soy, lime and anchovy purée, tomato confit, courgette caviar and tsatsiki made with faisselle cheese from Etrez and fresh mint
-Tenderloin of John Dory marinated in garlic vinegar then lightly seared, served with a ballotine of courgette and John Dory, stuffed courgette, new apple and a bouillabaisse jus
-Gratin of apricots from the South of France with roasted almonds and rosemary, served with an apricot caramel and a Rivesaltes muscat-infused granita
Amuse-bouche, starter, main course, pre-dessert, dessert, petits fours... ... €65
À la carte cheese ... ... €10
The cellar at L’Intimiste
Visible from the restaurant dining room through a window, the cellar at L'Intimiste offers a fine selection of wines carefully chosen by the chef's wife, Gaëlle Favre. With her passion for wine and her love of seeking out new discoveries, she makes a point of working as closely as possible with the winegrowers, some of whom farm organically. She likes to take the time to meet them, to delve into their savoir-faire, while learning all about the history of their wines and estates.
The fine vintages of the department and its neighbouring vineyards of Bugey and Mâconnais feature prominently on the wine list, along with some excellent Chablis from a small winery that has been a valued supplier to the restaurant since the year 2000. It also boasts wines from the Rhône Valley and Champagne producers. Gaëlle has opted for originality in her wine list, daring to showcase some rare gems, while bringing to the fore the work of those with a true passion for wine. This audacious approach combines perfectly with the chef's desire to surprise with his distinctive menus and creative dishes.
Information and bookings
L’Intimiste Restaurant is open from Thursday evening to Sunday lunchtime.
For any questions or requests, or to book your table, please contact the restaurant on +33 4 74 24 20 20 or by email at reservation@auberge-buellas.com
