Initial - Reviews

Chef Olivier and his team make you discover this alchemy that is the Cuisine!!! To be enjoyed in closed eyes. Bravo and thank you read more Chef Olivier and his team make you discover this alchemy that is the Cuisine!!! To be enjoyed in closed eyes. Bravo and thank you

We had dinner at the Magma family, the restaurant was known to my parents who had made us a gastronomic praise. We had a very good time, we enjoyed white champa... read more We had dinner at the Magma family, the restaurant was known to my parents who had made us a gastronomic praise. We had a very good time, we enjoyed white champagne of white is excellent. The young woman who served us was very professional. The chef has come to present his kitchen and various suppliers, we have all been packed and will come back with pleasure.

We went to eat for our 9 years of marriage. The quality of the dishes and the table service is an impressive quality! It was a delight and thanks to the waitres... read more We went to eat for our 9 years of marriage. The quality of the dishes and the table service is an impressive quality! It was a delight and thanks to the waitress as well as the chef who offered us a coupon for our anniversary accompanied by a word signed by the whole team. I've never lived this and I'll come back for sure.

Very nice discovery. A nice concept with a 5-course surprise menu (We are still asked what we don't like), the Chef comes to introduce us the dishes. The desser... read more Very nice discovery. A nice concept with a 5-course surprise menu (We are still asked what we don't like), the Chef comes to introduce us the dishes. The dessert was a great discovery. The service was very well, attentive and available servers. I highly recommend you go to discover this restaurant.

Home service meal nothing to say!! It was a treat! Bravo to this superb team read more Home service meal nothing to say!! It was a treat! Bravo to this superb team

We had the lunch menu at 21 euros, which was mind blowingly good. Small gazpacho for intro followed by the entree, then a free small cuplet of mussels which wer... read more We had the lunch menu at 21 euros, which was mind blowingly good. Small gazpacho for intro followed by the entree, then a free small cuplet of mussels which were cooked to perfection, then main course of filet of sea bass (fantastic) and finally a dessert to crown the whole gastronomy experience. Wow! On ly the french can cook this good.

This was the second Michelin 1* restaurant we ate at on consecutive nights in Caen. The menus are imaginative and exciting, very different from more traditional... read more This was the second Michelin 1* restaurant we ate at on consecutive nights in Caen. The menus are imaginative and exciting, very different from more traditional high end establishments. The name of the restaurant gives a clue that the Chef is going to surprise you with flavors and combinations that are hard to guess, and the waiters quiz you after to see if you passed (one sauce with tomatoe was easy, the other with courgette impossible for us to identify). Overall the food is excptional and very good value. The only minor downsides are that the wine list is a little bit sparse, but still good; and the bread service acceptable, but not exceptional. The ambience and service is a bit more relaxed, that fits well with the style of the food. We would happily eat here again, and recommend highly. The number of tables is small, so advance booking probably essential.

Good location, close to city hall. Contemporary decor, view over the kitchen. Set menus with the best local ingredients at an affordable price. Colorful and tas... read more Good location, close to city hall. Contemporary decor, view over the kitchen. Set menus with the best local ingredients at an affordable price. Colorful and tasty plates worth its one star Michelin. The service is nice and efficient. Lunch for about 40 euros per person with a glass of wine and coffee.

The chef focus his cuisine on fresh food, so you never really know what you will eat, and you rarely it twice the same dish. I have to admit that the concept is... read more The chef focus his cuisine on fresh food, so you never really know what you will eat, and you rarely it twice the same dish. I have to admit that the concept is fun as you choose the number of dishes you want to have (4, 6 or 8) and then the only thing you know is the main ingredient, the rest is a surprise.Little by little you discover the dishes and you can enjoy great food, cooked perfectly well.The only downside for me was the wine list, which seems a bit short, but still good.So, I would definitely go back, as I found the pricing in line with the top chef quality.One restaurant to try.

We found this restaurant while on a short stay in Caen. It was our anniversary and we could not have asked for a better meal! Every bite was exquisite. The food... read more We found this restaurant while on a short stay in Caen. It was our anniversary and we could not have asked for a better meal! Every bite was exquisite. The food was so fresh and beautifully presented. The attention to detail was impressive, as was the service. They had a very interesting wine list and we had some special selections that we are also still talking about. The only regret about our evening was that we chose the 4-course menu. If we had known how wonderful the food was at Initial, we would not have eaten during the day so that we could have enjoyed the 6- or 8-course menu! This restaurant is worth a special trip to Caen.

We had a family dinner Food was very good We were 6 and our 15 years daughter do not like to eat many items they were very flexible and adjust her dishes per he... read more We had a family dinner Food was very good We were 6 and our 15 years daughter do not like to eat many items they were very flexible and adjust her dishes per her request All dishes were very original, beautiful presentations very tasty!!! It is clear why they got a Micheline start!

Very competent cooking in the center of Caen, convenient for a treat before catching the ferry. The service was very kind they were aware we had time constraint... read more Very competent cooking in the center of Caen, convenient for a treat before catching the ferry. The service was very kind they were aware we had time constraints and the service was efficient and well paced. We were the only table in the downstairs area that evening the ambience was a bit cold. Nevertheless an enjoyable meal.

We booked a table for 4. We opted for the 4 course tasting menu at €56 per person.my daughter and her partner added the wine pairing for €28 per person. There w... read more We booked a table for 4. We opted for the 4 course tasting menu at €56 per person.my daughter and her partner added the wine pairing for €28 per person. There were 2 waiters for the whole restaurant. Apperitives were lovely but it was downhill from there, First course was sea bream with a Luke warm watery stock poured over- no explanation given.First wine tasting poured- no explanation. I asked what it was and was told the ‘chef likes to keep it secret’.This despite the fact that a table behind us was getting a full explanation in English of the wine. The next course was a reasonable ,but not great, sea bream.Second wine poured as we finished again no explanation. Third course pork bright pink raw and tough- I didn’t eat mine and wasn’t asked why.Third wine served at this point. About 70 mls,if that.i asked what the wines were we were then presented all three bottles and given a 10 second name check on each wine. The pudding was passable but not great Total bill€333 euro . I complained about the service ,the meal and the lack of explanation. Was told I should know 1 Michelin star restaurants don’t have the same level as 2 star. We have been lucky to eat in one Michelin starred restaurants before.This is not one . We were charged€14 euros for water.This despite the fact that the waiter shared the bottle he opened for us with other tables. The bill was reduced by €66, that was not the point.It was a miserable experience which was supposed to be a real treat. Don’t eat here

My wife and I called spur of the moment driving back to Caen from Mont St Michel. We ordered the 16 euro dejeuner menu along with a bottle of Morton Beaujolais.... read more My wife and I called spur of the moment driving back to Caen from Mont St Michel. We ordered the 16 euro dejeuner menu along with a bottle of Morton Beaujolais. The owner and staff were wonderful: 3 amuse bouche and a complementary dessert. The white asparagus with Camembert sauce was one of the best dishes we ate over the past two weeks in France; the duck breast in a light beet reduction was perfect. And the total bill, all in, was 55 euros. We'd return in a heartbeat.

A cosy inviting restaurant for sure. They specialise in “degustation” or grazing menus. Our friend could not eat various items but they adapted and adapted and... read more A cosy inviting restaurant for sure. They specialise in “degustation” or grazing menus. Our friend could not eat various items but they adapted and adapted and succeeded. The staff are very knowledgeable and give a running commentary on the different dishes. The cod and lobster combination is superb. Another plus is the apple dessert. We only had limited time which was a shame but ferries wait for nobody. If you visit Caen and are a foodie then definitely come here.