Lunch at Maison Chabran - La Grand Table with Chef Louis Chabran and his Father Chef Michel Chabran in Pont d l’Isère, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

We had lunch at Maison Chabran - La Grande Table. This restaurant has been a French institution for decades. Since 1977, the restaurant had been Michelin-starred, until 2000 even with 2 stars. In the Michelin Guide 2023, they withdrew the star. 

Until recently, Maison Chabran was run and owned by Michel Chabran. A few years ago, he started to step back and to hand over to his son Louis Chabran. Chef Louis Chabran is now fully in charge. As it often happens during such father-to-son transfers, the Michelin Guide withdraws the star or stars.

We started lunch in the beautiful garden area with a glass of Champagne and an Amuse Gueule. We then moved to the dining room for lunch with regional wines. One of the highlights was the impressive cheese tray at the end the lunch.

Louis was in the kitchen, Ms. Chabran in charge of the service and Michel Chabran meet us when we left the restaurant. 

Maison Chabran/ Annette Schiller

This is a truly beautiful place. When you approach the restaurant you see a façade with different ochre hues that enhance the traditional pebbles of the Rhône river. You enter and you find an elegant dining room, decked out in sunshine colours, an open fireplace, a garden with many different flower and herb beds - that Michel loves to show you after a meal -, patios and a sumptuous wine cellar. And then there is the exquisite cuisine that draws on excellent products every season in the Dauphiné and Provençal traditions. 

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

This traditional restaurant is well known in the area. Classicism depicts the culinary approach, which is perfectly paired with fine Côtes du Rhône wines. Delightful welcome and service.

L'avis de Gault&Millau (17/20)

 

Michel Chabran et son fils Louis conservent pour les soirées du week-end la "Grande Table" afin que les locaux puissent se régaler de produits et de mets d'exception orchestrés, comme se doit, de mains de maîtres. Seulement à ces occasions, le grand style se remet en marche et les toques s'assument, le temps de quelques repas où l'on célèbre les saint-jacques et les truffes, le homard, le ris de veau, le pigeon et les plus beaux gibiers qui font le bonheur de la rareté. Dans la courte carte du moment, un tartare de veau aux senteurs asiatiques, la langoustine et sa déclinaison de carottes, le pigeon Chabert "comme à Marrakech", la figue pochée au porto sphère chocolat caramel et framboise. Grande cave rhodanienne, ambiance à la fois stylée et familiale, avec la bienveillance du grand Michel toujours attentif.

 

Michel and Louis Chabran (Chefs4thePlanet)

 

Michel Chabran is a starred chef who belongs to a generation that likes to harmonize tradition and modernity, drawing generously on the riches of its land, to which he will remain faithful the rest of his life. Over the years, he transformed the small family café into a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant. He transmitted his passion to his son Louis, and under his leadership the next generation of Maison Chabran arrives with the same values and desire to grow.

 

Interview with Louis Chabran

Michel Chabran (in La Dophine.com):  « C’est sûr que ça ne fait jamais plaisir. La Maison Chabran était étoilée depuis 1977 [elle a même eu deux macarons jusqu’en l’an 2000, NDLR]. Mais c’est une chose à laquelle on s’attendait. Nous sommes à un vrai tournant, notamment pour La Grande table à Pont-de-l’Isère. Mon père [Michel Chabran, NDLR] a annoncé, depuis deux ans, dans la presse et aux guides, qu’il se retirait des cuisines. On est en pleine période de passation donc ça me paraît logique : j’arrive et il faut que je fasse mes preuves, que je relève ce défi. Une étoile, il faut la mériter. »

Arriving

In the Garden

In the Dining Room

Cheese Tray

Dessert

Bye-bye

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