Everything about our meal was excellent and exceptional. The food was delicious and the service was…read moregreat. We ordered prefix menu of one starter, one entree and one dessert for 42 Euros. The tartare, monkfish and duck filet were our favorite, the flavors were exceptional and the waiter suggested great wines to pair with each of our entree. The restaurant is located at the city center of Tours in a small alley, easy to find with Google map. The space is not very big but cozy and warm, the quality of the food is beyond what we paid for, highly recommended!

The restaurant was recommended to us by our AirBnb host after we asked them for some guidance after…read morebeing disappointed on our first night. Thankfully we were able to get a table without a reservation as it was indeed excellent. It was also obvious that it was a local favorite with several tables clearly occupied by couples on a date night. We decided to have 2 courses each and share a dessert. For starters we had the foie gras and a warm salad with quail. Followed by entrées of fish and pork loin. And a dessert that was essentially a very indulgent Brioche French toast. Everything was quite impressive but I do think the first course and dessert triumphed over the entrées. In any case I'd go back again if I were back in the area. The service was also on point and friendly.

This is a beautiful, cozy place, especially the outside area. The food was good. We tried the veal…read moreand duck meat. Both dishes were delicious. They have good dessert options. The only problem with this restaurant is the parking- they have no parking.

Upon leaving our hotel, we turned the wrong way and boy, I'm glad we did. Stumbling onto this…read moreplace was an extremely happy and tasty accident. My salmon and feta appetizer was incredible - not flavors I'd ordinarily put together but the chef clearly knew what he was doing. My fish was stunning as was our dessert. The quality of the food for the value is possibly unparalleled between Vouvrey, Rochecarbon and Tours. Had we been in Rochecarbon one more day, I can say we would have visited again. Magnifique!

I inadvertently did the unthinkable. We arrived late into Vouvray and my gracious VRBO host…read moresuggested trying to get to one of the only 2 open restaurants in town before they closed at 10pm. She said not to go after 9 because they will not want to serve dinner within the last hour of being open. She also said that the French Italian restaurant across the street from Le Val Joli was very popular but that Le Val Joli is the best if I could get there in time. I made it to the restaurant by 8:45, leaving plenty of wiggle room before closing at 10. The woman who welcomed me had a puzzled expression when I asked for a table and said she would need to check with the chef. I asked her if they were still open and she said no, they were closing at 9. The restaurant still had a few tables full of people eating and she said they would still be there for awhile and that she could check to see if I could be served. I was mortified I had tried to walk in just a few minutes before they were set to close and apologized profusely, offering to come back again when there was more time. She was incredibly kind and said she would just check with the chef. The chef came out looking understandably exasperated with me but still kind. He pointed to a few things on the menu that would take less preparation time and said I could stay if I only ordered what could be prepared quickly. After driving for 5 hours, and as embarrassed as I was, I was desperate for real food. I accepted the chef's terms and ordered the foie gras, fish, and profiterole for dessert. I believe the chef is also the owner of the restaurant and while he was still clearly irritated with me, he was willing to feed me on his terms, and I was happy to be fed. The hostess may also have been an owner. She was incredibly kind and clearly wanting to make sure I was able to get food. The meal turned out to be the best meal I experienced on my trip across France. I was sad to speed-eat through this meal experience but I was determined not to be the last table at the restaurant to demonstrate to my gracious hosts that I understood I would be holding them up due to my untimely arrival. Even so, the meal was incredible. The buttery smooth foie gras melted beautifully with every bite. The fish was fresh, tender, and absolute perfection. By the time the profiterole came out, I was so satisfied by the rest of the food, I only took a bite, then ate the ice cream from the center and called it a good night. I'm certain they were unimpressed by my speedy eating skills, and I hope I didn't offend the chef who had prepared such an impeccable meal truly made to be enjoyed, not inhaled. My stomach was happy nonetheless, and the meal was one to be remembered. I just hope next time I make a stop in Vouvray, they don't remember me and I'll take the time to truly enjoy every bite of the amazing food they serve at Le Val Joli. If Vouvray is on your route through Loire Valley, or if you can make the detour, Le Val Joli is well worth the trip. Just make sure you arrive with ample time to enjoy every incredible bite! (deny knowing the woman with very rude timing who showed up on their doorstep in search of any food & was served the most memorable meal in all of Loire Valley)

Stopped here for their formula lunch while visiting wineries of the Loire. We had an excellent meal…read more& appreciated the service & atmosphere. The food and wine list were lovely.

What a wonderful meal from start to finish! Nestled in a lively area with great food and helpful…read morestaff. Foie gras starter was awesome! Both pork and duck main dishes were beautiful and tasty. Highly recommend.

Good start for such a young restaurant!…read more What is really good: - the €30 appetizer-main-dessert, valid during weekends - the wine pairing - they position themselves as wine cellar, and they deserve it, we had excellent advice and drank perfect €4.50 wine glasses - the main dishes - tender meat and veggies, excellent sauce and beautiful place What could be better: - appetizers a bit underwhelming (raw salmon but way too much citrus-y things on it, green peas soup a bit too neutral) - same sides for all the mains - tables veeeery close to each other - you will hear your neighbors' conversation, and you'll risk a catastrophe when sashaying your way to the WCs...

From the owner: La bistonomie vous intéresse? Occasion de venir découvrir notre établissement avec sa terrasse et…read morejardin aromatique. Cuisine ouverte sur la salle.

We didn't have reservations so we were super lucky. We were early so I believe that is the reason…read morewhy we were able to get a table. The restaurant is small and quaint. The waiter and host were very pleasant. We ordered some cocktails to start and then the experience started. They brought out a small tasting of appetizers which were so delicious. The bread and Black Sea salt butter was unbelievable. The presentation and service was amazing. Each course was an event. The escargot was in an edible chees shell. We had an amazing bottle of wine to enjoy with our entrees which again were so delicious. The prices were so reasonable for wine and food. We would highly recommend and will definitely go back.

After scrolling through various options for French food in Tours, we decided to eat at L'embellie…read morefor dinner and it was the best choice! We came to the restaurant right at opening at 7pm and was lucky to get a table outside with no reservation. My bf and I opted for the 3 course dinner. The meal started off with two free dishes, a pancake with goat cheese + chicken skewer, and a tomato soup. Both were delicious! For the appetizer I got the shrimp tarter and my bf the fried quail. The shrimp tarter was very refreshing. The fried quail taste like Japanese karage "fried chicken". Both starters were amazing! For the main course, I got the tuna filet and my bf the beef tarter with foie gras. My tuna filet was a bit dry and flavorless, I would not get again. My bf loved his entree! The beef tarter was very tender, and together with a bite of foie gras and flakey pastry, it was a taste of heaven! For dessert I got the whites chocolate and raspberry cake with raspberry sorbet, and my bf got the chocolate, praline and hazelnut mouse cake. Perfect dessert to finish off an amazing meal in Tours! Overall I highly recommend L'embellie and would definitely eat here again if I visit Tours again.

This is the most unique and delicious restaurant of our Loire Valley exploration so far. Dinner in…read morea real cave with an atmosphere that will surprise you. Wood fired grills are used to prepare beef dishes and a burning fire for ambiance is in the center of the main dining area. We ordered the gourmet three course dinners and they were fabulously French! Nice Amuse-Bouche, wonderful bread with fresh butter, and an after dinner plate of cookies and confections were served gratis. Prices are fair and the food we had was divine. Menus are in French only. A waitress helped us with translations. Be prepared to spend over 2 hours here and savor the rich flavors of this French cuisine at an unhurried pace.

The outside aesthetics of this place is beyond breathtaking. It took me 15 minutes just to enter…read morebecause I couldn't photographing everything. Upon entering, there is a musty smell but it's to be expected when dining inside of a Cave hundreds years old. It's dimly lit and the decor is not memorable, but it's warm. The service was spot on. This was a unique dining experience i won't forget. The food was great at the time, but I don't remember it today. The location definitely left an impression.

We'd had an awful day, after our rental car breaking down on the freeway, trying to communicate…read morewith the tow truck and Hertz in French, and having to spend the night in an out of the way little town in France. It turned out that the meal we had at that restaurant was the one that we kept talking about and trying to replicate for the rest of the trip. I ordered the sole with potatoes, and it was so absolutely memorable. The hosts are wonderfully accommodating and helpful. Thank you, L'escapade!

This is one of the best meals we had in two weeks traveling through France. L'Escapade serves…read moreFrench food with a Japanese twist. I'm normally skeptical of fusion food, but the dishes were beautiful, excellent and interesting. My starter (the duck with wasabi foam) and dessert (the matcha macaroon) were particularly wonderful and my boyfriend and I would've happily eaten here more than once if we had been staying in the area for longer. The service was also helpful and friendly, and English translations for menu items were provided when needed. There are a lot of restaurants in the area in this price point and they can be hard to distinguish from one another - L'Escapade stands out and is worth visiting. An excellent value.