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The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside your... history book? He could be, or at least inside a book of legends. The story of a masked, disfigured Paris Opera House dweller who puts an ingenue under his musical spell sounds like the stuff of myths. But stories of a chandelier crash and a ghost at the opera house in Paris circulated long before The Phantom of the Opera
became the longest-running Broadway show and third-longest-running West End show in history
Compoer Andrew Lloyd Webber based the show on a 1910 novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux
And he based his novel on multiple spooky events in the Palais Garnier
the opera house where the Phantom book and musical are set
and events that inspired The Phantom of the Opera are true
but they're fun legends that Leroux immortalized and Webber later made famous with his iconic score
While no one knows exactly how true these stories are
here's how they inspired Leroux to create the tale that haunts and thrills audiences over a century later
Experience these tales now before The Phantom of the Opera closes on Broadway
Get The Phantom of the Opera tickets now.
Yes and no — the plot of The Phantom of the Opera is fictional
but parts are inspired by true stories and legends
While everything in the musical did not actually happen
many elements of the show (and the novel it's based on) are taken from real stories of what happened at a Paris opera house
there was actually a devastating chandelier accident
and there are many rumors of a ghostly presence haunting the theatre
Read more below to find out what true (and ghost) stories inspired the record-breaking show
and see them on stage before The Phantom of the Opera closes
during which a one-ton chandelier comes crashing down onto the stage
is one of the most iconic moments in The Phantom of the Opera musical
and it was inspired by a real tragedy at the Palais Garnier
it wasn't actually the chandelier that fell
a performance of the opera Helle was underway when a counterweight
one of multiple which held the chandelier up
Forensic investigators later said a nearby electrical wire probably overheated and melted the steel cable holding up the counterweight
In The Phantom of the Opera book and musical
the Phantom cuts the whole chandelier loose during the curtain call of the opera Il Muto
in order to exact revenge on Christine for falling in love with Raoul instead of him
the Palais Garnier actually has an underground lake
the lake is the centerpiece of the Phantom's lair
A feat of theatrical magic transforms the Broadway stage into the lake
on which the Phantom and Christine ride on a canoe amid the mist
Legend goes that a faceless man (and some fish) once lived in the lake
the lake looks more like a sewer and had a much more practical purpose: keeping well and steam pump water away while the opera house foundation was being built
The only occupants of the "lake" as of late are a single white catfish (the opera house staff's unofficial pet) and French firefighters
We wonder if they've ever heard music coming from seemingly nowhere while doing so..
The many legends that inspired the Phantom are shrouded in as much mystery as the character himself
a stage fire destroyed the Paris Opera company's old venue
(That part is true.) A ballerina died and her fiancé
Legend has it that he retreated to the underground of the Palais Garnier
Is he the same faceless man that supposedly lived in the lake
but it's clear how these legends inspired the Phantom's appearance and living situation in Leroux's book
Another rumor that inspired Leroux is the story of a ghost who haunts the Palais Garnier. Not only did the tale inspire him, but Leroux became obsessed with proving that the ghost was real. In the prologue to The Phantom of the Opera novel
he talks about the mysterious disappearance of one Vicomte de Chagny
who disappeared to Canada for 15 years without a trace
he immediately went to the Palais and asked for a free opera ticket
Leroux goes on to claim that Chagny and his brother were fighting over Christine Daaé (a fictional character)
insinuating that a "tragedy" happened between the two
Since the Vicomte is clearly the inspiration for Christine's childhood friend and lover
it appears he believed the brother is the ghost
who was killed in some sort of tussle and now haunts the shadowy corners of the Palais Garnier
Though the ghost's presence is hearsay — or
the opera house ghost is actually a jilted old woman — Leroux firmly believed the ghost is real
He also claimed that a body was unearthed below the Palais Garnier
which belonged to the would-be ghost and proved his story
(The fact that the revolutionary French Commune government used the Palais basement to hold prisoners is a somewhat more likely explanation for the body.) After all that
it's almost ironic that the titular character of The Phantom of the Opera isn't an actual ghost
but he kept the name "The Phantom" for his otherworldly
Christine Daaé is a fully fictional character
but some researchers say she was inspired by Christina Nilsson
a Swedish soprano who enjoyed a 20-year career as an acclaimed international opera singer
Other accounts say that Christine was partly inspired by a ballerina named Nanine Dorival
Dorival (along with an acquaintance of Leroux's named Madame la Baronne de Castelot-Barbezac) is also said to have inspired the character of Meg Giry
as Dorival and Giry's mothers are both boxkeepers
What's certain is that Webber's real-life romance inspired how he'd adapt Christine's character for the musical 70 years later
When he was writing The Phantom of the Opera
a classical soprano who he'd met and married after she starred in his musical Cats in the West End
He wrote the role of Christine for Brightman
composing the character's songs to fit her vocal range
After she originated the role in the West End
Webber naturally wanted Brightman to do so on Broadway
The Actor's Equity union refused at first
saying he should cast an American actor and that international Broadway leads had to be major stars
and he came to a compromise with Equity that he'd cast an American lead in his next London production
but her influence on the role remains forever
One of the inspirations for the main characters' love triangle is mentioned above
about how two brothers supposedly fought over a woman named Christine
a ballet dancer named Boismaison fell for the aforementioned ballerina Nanine Dorival
and he took it upon himself to get Boismaison out of the picture
Boismaison had willed his bones to the Paris Opera in the hopes that he'd stay near his lover even after he died
they honored his wishes and held onto his bones
even using his skeleton as a prop in Le Freischütz
the fabled love triangle inspired that of Raoul
it's no wonder that The Phantom of the Opera's love story became a Gothic horror for the ages
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Industrial wood and black steel combine to make a Parisian loft studio a contemporary but welcoming home, writes Andy Pearson
FCLA’s response has been to open up the dwelling by removing partitioning along with a huge ‘useless’ fireplace. A spiral staircase, added in the 1990s when the apartment was last renovated, was also removed. At the same time, the roof windows illuminating the upper level were replaced with thermally efficient contemporary units. These, along with two white-framed dormer windows, now fill the new interior with daylight.
Raw, unpainted SterlingOSB Zero and black steel give the opened-up spaces a contemporary, paired-back industrial-style make-over. It is an aesthetic that is both in keeping with the functionality of the semi-exposed roof structure that defines the apartment’s angular, irregular form and the need to use space efficiently and effectively.
By choosing an industrial wood, a raw material usually meant to be hidden, we created a stylish interior
Chagny says SterlingOSB Zero was chosen because it is ‘quite warm’ and it also complements the use of steel. An additional benefit is that because the Sterling OSB is Zero, no formaldehyde has been added to the board during manufacture, which will also help in creating a healthy living environment.
Enabling SterlingOSB Zero and steel, materials that would normally be concealed, to be the most prominent design feature required close attention to detail. ‘The idea was to highlight the functionality and form of the materials used,’ says Chagny. ‘By choosing an industrial wood, a raw material usually meant to be hidden, we set out to create a stylish interior by focusing on all of the little details we had to draw on’.
FCLA’s extensive use of SterlingOSB Zero gives the apartment an edgy style that looks both cohesive and individual. Its use is most prominent in the kitchen which, along with the lounge, forms the apartment’s open-plan lower floor.
SterlingOSB Zero is used to give the doors of kitchen’s modular wall- and floor-level units a distinctive grainy surface finish. This is in contrast to the smooth, industrial black worktops, splashback and electrical sockets. A bespoke peninsular unit serves as a table for three bar stools; this section of countertop has been designed to slide to expose storage cabinets beneath, which then double-up as additional seating.
SterlingOSB Zero is also used as a floor covering in the kitchen and lounge.
The lounge includes a custom-made low-level SterlingOSB-faced storage cabinet, complete with a smooth black top and sides that reference the kitchen units. The use of this and other low-profile furniture in the lounge, coupled with the double height ceiling and daylight from the large dormer windows, fosters the impression of space and openness.
A black steel stair, incorporating built-in book shelves, leads from the lounge to the upper floor bedroom tucked under the ridge of the roof. The bespoke stair’s functional, open-tread design, coupled with the open-backed book-shelf, would not look out of place in a 1950s factory archive store and both are very much in keeping with the apartment’s industrial warehouse style.
At the top of the stair is a glass screen with a slender black steel frame, giving it a more utilitarian appearance. The screen separates the bedroom from the living areas below; ensuring daylight can enter the space while providing an element of acoustic separation.
The SterlingOSB theme continues in the lofted bedroom on the doors of a fitted wardrobe that occupies the entire back wall. This is complemented by a small custom-built SterlingOSB Zero storage cabinet. Even the bed is built from it, with the storage beneath housed in OSB drawers.
A neutral white paint scheme has been used to complement the SterlingOSB Zero and black steel. A bright power-blue finish to one of the party walls adds just enough colour to the lounge and bedroom to make the spaces feel welcoming and comfortable and relaxing.
Chagny says: ‘The client is really delighted to live in a new contemporary stylish space, with a high ceiling and much more light, which is very important in the centre of large cities like Paris.’
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Find out how you could become the next Vicomte de Chagny on Broadway
Have you always dreamt of treading the Broadway boards? The Phantom of the Opera just might make your dreams come true
The long-running phenomenon has begun a virtual open call
but applicants must be based in the United States
The production is looking for male-presenting actors that are mid 20s to early 30s
The actor must have an excellent high-baritone voice
If that sounds like you, visit this link for access to the audition cut of "All I Ask of You," and further instructions
the work centers on a mysterious Phantom who lives beneath the Paris Opera House and the young singer who becomes his obsession
The deadline for audition tapes is August 26 at 6PM ET
Noah Himmelstein will direct Matthew Puckett's original musical
Neumann is the Tony nominated choreographer behind Hadestown and Swept Away
one Tony winner is playing the trumpet while the other is channeling Madame Rose
Due to the expansive nature of Off-Broadway
and institutes have been revealed by the industry stalwart
Thank You!You have now been added to the list
Blocking belongson the stage,not on websites
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Please consider supporting us bywhitelisting playbill.com with your ad blocker.Thank you
The intended beneficiaries are more unexpected still: hedgehogs
will be built over the a6 and other motorways operated by aprr
This will bring its network of green bridges in France to 119
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “For hedgehogs
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
George Simion will face Nicusor Dan, a mainstream candidate, in a run-off
There are five luxuries it can no longer feasibly afford
Friedrich Merz’s career is one of unforced errors and puzzling missteps. But he is serious about Europe
Both Donald Trump and Ukraine’s diplomats will consider it a success
Boasting Michelin star French food made with locally-sourced produce and top-of-the-world, Masters of the Universe views, dining at Maison Lameloise atop the iconic Shanghai Tower is an experience
We recently ascended the Pudong landmark for a lunch looking back over the river
but first – a little bit of histoire
The original Maison Lameloise is located in Chagny
France and has existed for more than 100 years
a converted coach house that itself dates back to the 15th Century
opening its doors to the first customers back in 1921 as both a hotel and a restaurant
The role of the restaurant’s chef stayed within the family for three generations
from Pierre Lameloise to Jean Lameloise to the famous Jacques Lameloise
who achieved three Michelin stars in 1979.
Boasting a career of remarkable Michelin pedigree
Chef Pras started at the tender age of 15 and had worked with Michel Troisgros
and was mentored directly by Jacques Lameloise
allowing Maison Lameloise to fully retain the three Michelin star status
not an easy feat when bringing on a new chef.
he gathered a team together and started the project of opening his first restaurant outside France
he chose the 68th floor of the tallest building in China – Shanghai Tower
They found themselves in an entirely empty space
with a need to design everything – kitchen layout
the restaurant was built with the atmosphere of the Chagny restaurant in mind; small touches
such as the same ceramic starter plates made by the same French artisan still rest on the tables upon arrival.
The overall goal of the restaurant was quite simple: create as close to identical restaurant experiences at Maison Lameloise so that whether you’re in Chagny or Shanghai
service and quality of food are all the same.
Chef Yann Klein has been entrusted to continue Eric Pras’ legacy in Shanghai
as his boots on the ground – or in the clouds
Chef Yann sources 70% of Maison Lameloise ingredients from China
The restaurant also concentrates efforts on maintaining sustainable practices to create minimal wastage; from fried fish scales for extra crunch to deep fried eggplant skin garnish
the absolute minimum is going in the trash.
served Friday to Sunday when there is the option of Le Menu du Déjeuner (RMB888/4 courses, RMB588/3 courses*) and Le Menu Dégustation (RMB1,588/4 courses)
All three menus include desserts and amuse-bouche
Maison Lameloise is famous for its inventive amuse-bouche
And none more so than their foie gras lollipops
sprinkled with roasted almond slivers and a trickle of mango jelly and passion fruit for a creamy morsel that melts like – well – cocoa butter.
A crispy Hong Kong bubble waffle is stuffed with red wine snail stew
The colorful soup is not just beautifully presented
but also one of those dishes where the locally sourced ingredients are so evident
make sure you don't overlook the myriad bread options on offer
Brown Mushroom & Artichokes features slices of mushroom
smoked quail egg and yellow wine, while a herb bouillon brightens the plate in both hue and heft
Snails & Octopus is joined by onion petals stuffed with a herb potagère
with a warm dollop of saffron mayonnaise atop
clams and a flavorful roasted bones bouillon
Seared Duck is plated with daikon turnip and buckwheat
Rangers Valley Wagyu Beef M7 sees a wood fire cooked striploin alongside dots and drizzles of Flavigny candy
Lemon on a shortbread is all things citrus with lemon mousse
Chocolate is a bourbon vanilla iced soufflé resting on blackcurrant marmalade and ginger
blackcurrant pepper and Guanaja chocolate foam
it wouldn't be French fine dining without finishing up with some petit fours
Maison Lameloise is exactly what a fancy fine dining experience in a sparkling skyscraper should be
impeccable service and delicious dish after delicious dish after delicious dish
Maison Lameloise, 68/F
501 Yincheng Zhong Lu 浦东新区银城中路501号上海中心大厦68楼
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Plenty of images come directly to the mind: colors, smells, people, twilight, getting lost, magical atmospheres, and flying carpets. The first step was to design a pattern inspired by the Moroccan flag’s star, multiplied to create a “Moucharabieh” design, it is the genesis of all of the market’s elements. Visible on the polished grey concrete floor and materialized in the stainless steel joints, it is the drawings’ source of programmatic organization.
master planEach stall is oriented to the omnipresent star pattern. Each shopkeeper can sell his/her wares from wooden boards mounted to metal trestles, allowing for flexible setup and selling. This allows the space to be utilized for other programmatic functions after the market’s close.
for pedestrians Exterior Finish: Colored balloons (5 colors for 5 specific zones) + a white fabric canopy (softly translucent) + polished concrete on the ground + a ground pattern made of stainless steel rails Competition Status: 3rd Prize
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The first TGV scheduled to take passengers from Rodange to Paris in the context of the Olympics was cancelled due to a disruption caused by pedestrians on the tracks near Chagny
the SNCF announced on its website on Sunday
Replacement shuttle buses were put in place to take passengers to Thionville
the new starting point of the TGV 2872 to Paris
The remaining TGVs from Rodange to the French capital have not been impacted by the disruption and are expected to run as scheduled. Passengers are still advised to consult sncf-voyafgeurs.com to stay up to date about potential changes
results for the [AC-CA] competition are out
and the winning proposals for a sustainable market square in casablanca
morocco have been released.taking first place with a scheme of leaf-shaped canopies
cavernous passageways permeating a volume of wooden struts by PMG architects took second and a whimsical canopy suspended by helium balloons by chagny
taking the silver, PMG architects‘ proposal plays heavily on the use of negative space taking form from the canopy of hundreds of slender squaretimber dowels that outline the vernacular archways that lead the visitor into a semi-enclosed space of filtered light until reaching the heart of the marketwhere an opening in the grid-like roof illuminates the space
the massive structure only touches the ground at a few specific points where columnar clusters transfer loads into the concrete base
AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function
but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style
As one of the most popular and romantic cities in the world
Paris boasts premium properties where consultants and clients strive to optimise the space available
As featured in the January edition of Grand Designs Magazine, the apartment’s compact kitchen has cupboards at wall and floor level utilising the OSB’s distinctive surface structure
exposed as part of the refurbishment’s minimalist styling
The rugged OSB is also used for flooring and some pieces of furniture around the home
with its natural form very much to the fore in a manner which would have been approved by the great Romanian sculptor
The project was designed by Florent Chagny Architecture for the new owner
who wanted to reimagine and upgrade the 50sqm space on the top floor of an 1830s wooden building in Paris’s 5th arrondissement
the designers decided to primarily utilise two “raw industrial” materials: steel and OSB
Key changes included the removal of some old partitions and a 1990’s spiral staircase
while the installation of contemporary roof lights and a steel-framed glass screen above the lounge space introduced much-needed natural light
Florent Chagny commented: “The client wanted to give a new identity to the apartment he had just purchased and is delighted to live in a new
contemporary stylish space with a high ceiling and much more light; important in the centre of large cities like Paris.”
Commenting on the choice of OSB as a primary material
he added: “The idea was to highlight the functionality and form of the materials used
By choosing an industrial wood – a raw material usually meant to be hidden – we were also seeking to express all of the small details we had created
“Architecture makes sense when design explores the different scales
we are paying tribute to the manufacturer’s creativity
OSB is quite warm and it complements steel.”
SterlingOSB Zero T&G presents specifiers with precision-engineered tongue and groove boards which are typically specified for pitched or flat roof decking and timber frame construction
as well as for flooring and other applications
Also, from an environmental viewpoint, the ‘Zero’ in the name means no formaldehyde is added during manufacture
encouraging its specification on improved health and safety grounds
the boards are produced in 2400 x 1200mm and 2440 x 1220mm sizes with T&G joints on two edges
as well as an 18mm thick version with T&G profiles around all four edges and face dimensions of 2400mm or 2440mm by 625mm
They are strong enough for use in most load-bearing applications
while BBA certification and recognition by NHBC Technical and Zurich Municipal are key assurances for housebuilding applications
SterlingOSB Zero T&G also bears the coveted UKTFA Q-mark
a quality certification which provides a benchmark for manufacturers and offers confidence to designers and end-users across the UK
To find out more about West Fraser’s support for architects, and to access useful downloads visit the architects’ page.
For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit https://uk.westfraser.com/.
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Why did you choose the Shanghai Tower?I met Zhou Jiahao of the Zhoujiahao Restaurant Management Company in France and came to Shanghai in 2013 by his invitation
and I told him that it would be a dream to open in that building
He told me securing a spot in China’s tallest building might be difficult
“Maybe we have a chance to open a restaurant in Shanghai Tower.” That’s how my dream came true
What is it like to move from being an established restaurant with a long heritage to being the new place in town?Taking over a venerable institution such as Maison Lameloise in 2009 was also difficult
but overcoming challenges is my motivation for moving forward
This Shanghai project is a great learning opportunity
Would you have considered opening in another Chinese city?I wanted to learn from Chinese people in one of China’s most populated cities
we hope that the diners here will be encouraged to travel to Chagny after dining in the Shanghai Tower
How was the menu created for Shanghai?This menu stems from the hard work of our Shanghai executive chef
He came and analyzed the products available in China then tested the recipes with them
but small adjustments have been made based on seasonality
we add notes in the system to reduce salt for Chinese diners
yet we must have the kitchen increase the salt for foreign diners here
Will the Shanghai restaurant influence Chagny?We cook without limiting ourselves and gain inspiration from all our guests
Chef Yann returned to France with a Chinese tea that I added to my foie gras dish with abalone
creating a true fusion plate in both flavor and texture
French cuisine is similar to Chinese cuisine in that they both require mastery of multiple techniques
See a listing for Maison Lameloise here
Scan our QR Code at right or follow us at Thats_Shanghai for events
The leads in Amdram's production of Phantom of the Opera are (from left) Jamie Henare (Raoul de Chagny)
Maika Montgomery (Christine Daae) and Iain Tetley (The Phantom)
Amdram Theatre's production of The Phantom of the Opera opens in less than two months
Director Graham Dack has assembled an exceptionally talented cast and crew
who have been working tirelessly since February
putting together a show that will do justice to the famous musical
In the pivotal lead roles are three gifted performers who are working hard at bringing the iconic characters to life
Iain became involved in musical theatre at a young age
playing the title role in Oliver at primary school
The Mikado and a leading role in Fiddler on the Roof
Iain was a teenager when the Phantom of the Opera was launched
and it has played a significant part in his musical upbringing
when Amdram Theatre launched its Phantom campaign in November 2019
He is relishing the opportunity to play a character of such magnitude and considers it a huge privilege
"A masterpiece of musical drama" is how he describes it
one of New Zealand's most respected thespians
Jennifer Ward-Leland was flown to Whanganui
to hold a workshop about intimacy on stage
Jamie Henare plays the role of Raoul de Chagny who
vies for the affections of the beautiful Christine
Jamie came to theatre through his love of opera
At university he auditioned for classical guitar and classical voice and found that singing was where he was most comfortable
Jamie says if ever the opportunity arose to be part of a production of Sweeney Todd
Les Miserables or the Phantom of the Opera
he would put his name forward as these three musicals appeal to his more operatic interests
The music rehearsals have been most enjoyable for Jamie
especially those with orchestral and ensemble accompaniment as this is when he gets a glimpse of the finished product
Jamie is sponsored by Heather Bellamy and Eddie Bleackley
Maika Montgomery plays the object of the Phantom's obsession
Maika was first introduced to the Phantom as a 10-year-old
attending a performance of the show with her family at the Civic Theatre in Auckland
When she saw a notice in our local newspaper advertising the show
she expressed her interest in being involved in any capacity
never expecting to be offered the lead role
she is absolutely thrilled to have won the role of Christine and is determined to do all she can to bring the character to life
Maika says Christine is one of many characters in the Phantom who display traits that everyone can relate to: passion
Maika has loved every minute of rehearsals so far
diving deep into understanding exactly who her character is and challenging herself as a performer
This task has been made easier by the fact that Amdram is "such a supportive and caring environment"
and the cast is "an amazing group of people"
Maika is sponsored by Terry Lobb Colour and Design Ltd
Terry is vice-president of Amdram Theatre and has been involved in numerous productions over the years
using her artistic talents in numerous ways
and Amdram has benefited greatly from her expertise
with the final of the eight performances on September 25
Tickets are available from the Royal Whanganui Opera House website and the box office
Low temperatures are forecast to temporarily return to double digits this week
welcomed Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The new Production of The Phantom of the Opera
Back in the ‘90s the original The Phantom of the Opera opened in the Princess theatre
An apt theatre because what many people don’t realise is that The Phantom is set in Paris’s Opera House which was built at the same time as Melbourne’s Princess Theatre which also has its own ghost
The latest version is playing at the State Theatre Victorian Arts Centre which is possibly the only theatre in Melbourne to handle the Melbourne theatre goers
A lavish production with amazing sets ranging from the far east to the caverns under the opera house of Paris
Sets flowed smoothly and is a credit to the behind stage staff who handled all the changes with promptness which showed in the production
a brilliant performance added to by a wonderful singing voice not to mention great acting
was given an excellent performance by Amy Woodford
An amazing performance which was loved by the opening night audience
the Vicomte de Chagny was given a magnificent portrayal by Blake Bowden
Bowden lived up to the aforementioned in his acting and voice
This role was increased in this newer version of The Phantom of the Opera which made the story far more satisfactory
The two new owners of the Opera House were Monsieur André
played excellently by Andy Morton and Monsieur Firmin
was given a wonderful interpretation by Jayde Westbury
performed by Paul Tabone who handled the role with expertise
handled her role with ease and gave a stunning performance
The ensemble lived up to the Melbourne audience’s expectations and your correspondent highly recommends
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Discover what it’s llke to dine at Maison Lameloise
A three-star Michelin restaurant in the heart of Burgundy France
We approached our meal at Maison Lameloise with a certain degree of trepidation
We like to enjoy culinary experiences that strike at a country’s heart
we had never delved into the level of French food we were about to encounter in Chagny
We didn’t originally plan to dine at a three-star Michelin Restaurant. Our last meal of some expense was at the highly touted Vetri in Philadelphia
While the food and service at Vetri were excellent
the restaurant lacked a certain degree of monumentality
and the meal blurred by like a speeding bullet
One moment we were standing in the waiting area and the next we were contributing a substantial portion of our bank account to pay the check
we had never splurged on a three-star Michelin meal before and this was to be our first sampling of one of the 25 such restaurants in France
We had a healthy skepticism about the whole Michelin star system and had been aware of some of the media backlash
we selected Maison Lameloise for a few reasons
we liked the history of this restaurant insomuch that it was founded in a 15th-century building in 1926
lost the three stars in 2004 and earned them again in 2007
we liked the location in the heart of Burgundy close to our hotel in Chaudenay
the menu looked expensive yet affordable compared to other three-star restaurants
The meal was to be the biggest splurge of our trip
We received our confirmation (under the name ‘Veryl Hirsch’) and we were all set to experience destination in France
Upon arriving for our 7:00 reservation (early by French standards)
we were warmly greeted and escorted to the lounge for an apéritif
Our drink server recommended a Bougognone – a local variation on a Kir Royale
The drinks came with starters including a savory mackerel spread
green olives and escargot flavored popcorn
Then came the hors-d’oeuvres plate with four tasty treats
especially the heavenly foie gras lollipops
provided a symphony of introductory flavors
but we decided to go to our table so that we could enjoy the main dining room – a room that blended the traditional features of the age-old Burgundy inn with modern light and simplicity
we noticed that Daryl’s menu appeared with prices and Mindi’s without
Was there an expectation that the man always pays
Or was there a fear that exposing the menu prices would induce a certain degree of feminine panic
but you’re certainly welcome to leave your opinions in the ‘comments’ section.)
One certainty was that we knew that we were in a different world
a world where the wine menu is as big as a novel and degustation menus rule the day
Although we had already enjoyed the hors-d’oeuvres in the lounge
First came what was described as ‘amuse bouche’ – an egg custard with beef carpaccio
this was the only red meat in the tasting menu
Next came the first official course – Homard Bleu & Tourteau
featuring lobster claw meat topped with a delicate truffle gelée
The sweet lobster meat surrounded the centerpiece of the dish
a seafood ‘marshmallow’ that evoked all the flavors and memories of the ocean in one luxurious bite
Our second official course was sea bass with mushrooms and artichokes – Bar de Ligne & Couteaux
The server performed a little show as she completed our plates by dragging the sauce across our dishes
The head waiter was quite concerned that one of us (Mindi) didn’t finish this course and wanted to know the problem
We explained the problem was lack of stomach space
This response prompted the wait staff to put on the brakes
We weren’t going to finish our dinner marathon at an Olympic pace
but we would victoriously cross the finish line
The third official course was duck with a blackberry sauce
The duck was so thinly sliced and perfectly cooked gloriously rare with a crispy crunchy skin that provided a perfect counterpoint to its outer layer of fat
The duck was humbly surrounded by ringlets of duck confit
but there was no way that we could refuse the extensive cheese cart
And cheeses that were completely unique to the region such as Epoisses aged in ash
The server said that we could have as many as we wanted
We would have been completely happy to stop at this point
but then mango granita and the petits fours arrived – a palette cleanser and conditioner for our dessert
we still had a full dessert course which had yet to appear
We could have picked the crepes suzette (which were flambéed tableside)
but we each decided on more modern options
Daryl had a peach dessert in a style of Melba that came with vanilla pannacotta
and Mindi had an apple dessert that came with caramel and gingerbread ice creams plus a glass of apple ‘jus’
We both agreed that the apple dessert was the winner with its many
so the waiter graciously packed our chocolate course in a pretty pink box for us to enjoy later as we traveled by car through the glorious French countryside
Discover the best French desserts and pastries
We thought that this three-star dinner would be a once in a lifetime experience
It was indeed special – a grand event that will not be forgotten
The food was excellently prepared and presented
plus the meal had an element of great theatrical permanency
this was not a meal that we could eat every day or even every year
but it was certainly a special experience that will linger in our culinary memories
Maison Lameloise is located at 36 Place d’Armes
Article UpdatesWe update our articles regularly
Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections
Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.FundingWe self-funded our dinner at Maison Lameloise
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on their website 2foodtrippers
they've traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world
should have listened to Bob’s comment
Had dinner there two years ago and loved it
We’re so glad that you had a memorable
Can’t believe how great this meal sounded
Hi guys – it looks like an amazing dinner!
I can’t wait to follow the rest of your journey to see if we had any overlap
If we didn’t – you know what that means…
Well…since I’m finally reading “the blog” and no one else has piped up….here goes….in answer to your comment about the prices/check….of course it’s social custom in France that the women should be kept out of the pricing game and the man should pay
but I can’t disagree with him 🙂 Now I want to eat
Some people think it’s the best restaurant in the world
Don’t know how you’d prove that without eating at every restaurant in the world
but I also cast my vote for Best in the World
A menu without prices is called a Lady’s Menu
No as common today as it was many years ago
Loved the pictures but kept waiting for you to tell us the cost of the dinner
Is it one of those “if you have to ask
then you can’t afford it” issues
They have a website with posted prices. Here’s the lastest menu they posted. https://www.lameloise.fr/docs-lameloise/carte-et-menus-lameloise-fr.pdf
You say you had a duck dish of Rouge barbet
The picture also looks like fish fillet and not a sliced duck breast
Please note that the article is 10 years old and we’ve seen much food in that time span
if you asked us in 2012 we probably wouldn’t have known where Bretagne was
WE live in Europe now and promise to never make the same mistake again
even to this day the meal we enjoyed at Maison Lameloise was one of the best we’ve eaten
Eric Pras came later and the restaurant kept its three stars
The good news is that the authors enjoyed their meal
Lameloise is truly one of the greatest restaurants in the world
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