Assa - Blois

Assa is located in a nondescript building on the western edge of Blois. Inside, however, the restaurant displays a spare, modern, Japanese-influenced design. Th... read more Assa is located in a nondescript building on the western edge of Blois. Inside, however, the restaurant displays a spare, modern, Japanese-influenced design. The tables are spaciously arranged on two levels giving all of them access to a direct view of the Loire flowing slowly past. The kitchen is open to the restaurant where the two chef-owners can be seen busily creating the meals. The menu has several format options allowing for the selection of different combinations of appetizers, main courses and desserts; the specific menu contents change based on the available produce. The wine list mainly focuses on Loire Valley wines arranged geographically from the Muscadets of the coastal region to the eastern-most Sancerres. It took some time for the server to acknowledge us when we entered, then take our order, because there was only one person serving all the tables. But, once the dinner began, the experience was wonderful. The dishes are among the most inventive and flavorful we have encountered over the years in many other Michelin-starred restaurants. The non-traditional flavor combinations worked extremely well. The two main courses that night—dourade and veal—were spectacular. Assa is a French, not a Japanese, restaurant, but with a Japanese influence in the flavors and the plating of the dishes. All the dishes we sampled were light and fresh without heavy sauces. The menu was written in French only, and the server spoke very little English, but any sophisticated diner with a broad palate will have a wonderful experience by sitting back and letting the courses flow. As each course is small (a few bites), if you are there for dinner, we do suggest choosing the options with most or all of the courses. Sticking to the classic French “formule” of a starter, main course, and dessert, will be fine for lunch, but perhaps too little at dinner. If we return to this region of the Loire Valley, Assa will be first on our list.

We last eat at Assa just after it opened. Today was everything we expected. Superb cuisine snd excellent service. Looking forward to the next time. read more We last eat at Assa just after it opened. Today was everything we expected. Superb cuisine snd excellent service. Looking forward to the next time.

Run by a French-Japanese couple, the restaurant overlooks the Loire Valley. We did the full degustation menu and there was not one missed step. Each dish was be... read more Run by a French-Japanese couple, the restaurant overlooks the Loire Valley. We did the full degustation menu and there was not one missed step. Each dish was beautifully plated with flavors to match. There was close attention to flavor and texture with a fine Japanese sensibility. The only unfortunate element was the service. While everyone did their best, they were too short staffed and so, service was rushed when they finally got to you. A pity because that would be one element that would elevate the evening to a truly fine dining experience. However that being said, it was clearly our best meal in the Loire Valley. I would go again.

Not in the position to deposit the required guarantee with our credit card that we wrote and explained the problem. shortly afterwards we received a message tha... read more Not in the position to deposit the required guarantee with our credit card that we wrote and explained the problem. shortly afterwards we received a message that confirmed our reservation. super! we have not informed about the strong Japanese influence in the kitchen, but left everything. the excellent service staff and the chefs. and, young, what an event! an unforgettable experience for palate, eyes and nose with an excellent selection of weeps for a very happy couple.

First I would like to say that eating is excellent and definitely worth going. as others have said, it is expensive, but within each course we found three small... read more First I would like to say that eating is excellent and definitely worth going. as others have said, it is expensive, but within each course we found three small dishes/aways of cooking the ingredients all very interesting and excellent....presentation was nice where some hard points must be, the service and the young servedeam is a certain direction to give, it was stressful to observe and experience. our table was reserved for 7.30 and it seemed like everyone else. we were the second table to take place. Unfortunately, the staff did not seem to have a system to serve everyone in time, it was all very haphazard. before we left, we had already decided that we would make the complete tasting menu and I would weep it with the paired weeps (it is what we always do) like my man drove. So I didn't feel that I needed another wee while waiting for the menu. we just asked for quiet water, the waiter didn't seem impressed. our snack was delivered and was nice with little leaf shaped cracker on a bonsai tree, sadly the waiter took the tree away before I had a chance to taste my cracker and did not hear me recall, he returned with that tree and cracker a few minutes later. we then noticed that other guests had a second “snack” our never appeared. we were left for at least 15 minutes without menu to penetrate or something, while most other guests who sat after us (and ordered wein) were given the menu history. when our first cure came, I had to ask for my paired wee. once the staff was in the services of the courses, the dinge went much smoother for us but twice we noticed that they were mixed on the table next to us. the plates down and take them away again, like for the wrong table. we were sad to many michelin restaurants in our time that the service in this is the worst thing I have experienced and it definitiw distracted from the food. Please give the servedam a certain direction, especially at the beginning of the evening.