Between Chambord and Blois, the Maison d’à Côté is one of the references of gastronomy in the Loire Valley. Christophe Hay was awarded his second star there in 2019.
Christophe Hay moved to Montlivault, on the banks of the Loire and not far from his native Vendôme, in 2014, after several years at Paul Bocuse. With one ambition: to work exclusively with local products, to make known this land that he loves so much but also to preserve it.
After a first star in 2015, it got the second in 2019, shortly after moving a few meters, on this charming little church square. It must be said that Christophe Hay is rigorous, a perfectionist to the extreme, perhaps even to the point of obsession. Precision is a value that he transmits to his brigade, which the guest sees working in a kitchen open to the room in a monastic silence. Perfection is also there.
The chef relies on his own garden of nearly 5,000 m2 located a few steps from the restaurant. There, his gardener cultivates a large number of species, allowing La Maison d’à Côté to be completely autonomous from spring to fall. As for the fish, there’s no need to look any further: they are on the plate at lunchtime when they are still swimming in the Loire that morning.
And in the Loire, Christophe Hay likes to find rare species, like carp or catfish. His carp à la Chambord, moreover, remains one of his signatures: filleted and quenelle, swimming in a Cheverny wine, truffle and crayfish sauce, it embodies this vision of a sustainable, technical and creative cuisine that respects the culinary tradition of the land. Served à la carte, it is also served through the magnificent Fleur de Loire tasting menu. On the wine list, the local proposals are obviously privileged and the discoveries are happy.
> 17/25 rue de Chambord, 41 350 MONTLIVAULT
