Cazenove - Lyon

I feel I should explain my first review (below) a little more. For neither the first nor the 'second' bottle were we SHOWN the bottle to approve (unusual?) I sniffing doubtfully, the tasting sample when to my surprise I saw the wine being hastily poured into my husband's glass without my approval. Rather than make a fuss, I let the (indeed usually very charming) sommelier serve me, but finding it truly undrinkable, I politely asked him to taste it for me. Our conversation was in French, 'Yes, it's corked, No problem, I'll bring you another' "I'd rather order a different wine because if a bottle is corked, others in the same batch risk also to be." 'Not in OUR cave, they won't be!' and he whisked away. Hmmm?????? Some minutes later, surprised that the 'second' bottle was ALREADY OPENED when the sommelier arrived back at the service table, I asked him - "Have you already tasted it?" 'YES! And it's GOOD!' Shocked by the tone of his voice, I said nothing. He didn't ask us to taste the wine but poured it straight into our (clean) glasses. Dear readers, the wine was really, really undrinkable. Seeing his pushy attitude, we said nothing, we were there for a pleasant evening, and apart from the wine, the food and service were, as usual, excellent. Without comment, my husband paid the bill, including the wine. We don't like difficulties. But suddenly, while offering us our coats, we heard le sommelier say 'It's because you're not used to drinking such wine. It was too strong for you.' "Yes, perhaps," I answered softly and we left. It's not to show ourselves off, but we had a deep wine cellar with at one moment 900 bottles, a good half in Bordeaux. We have also for many years taken part in the Medal-awarding Juries for Côtes du Rhône wines.Make of this what you will. Was it because Mr Orsi was away, ill, that night and we are foreigners, that it was the occasion to get rid of that wine? Remember, we were NEVER shown the bottle(s). I don't know, but it was upsetting. Let this be a warning to the wise - to the wise foreigner !

It's a wonderful restaurant, but we had a ghastly, very upsetting and humiliating experience there because of the treatment we received Admittedly Mr Orsi didn't visit that night, as he was ill, or I'm sure this would not have happened. The Maitre d'Hotel totally and charmingly agreed that our Bordeaux was corked but then treated us quite horribly. We kept quiet, we were there for a nice evening, and PAID FOR THE UNDRINKABLE and UNDRUNKEN wine without a murmur. BE WARNED! if your wine is corked - make sure to re-ORDER a TOTALLY DIFFERENT wine to avoid the abuse we received. Advice to the Md'H - a few minutes in a wine-saver is not enough to save a badly-corked Bordeaux! We were so sad, because this restaurant is otherwise, simply wonderful. We've known it on and off over the years and yet we can't go back to be submitted to such aggressive treatment by such a tyrant. I think the waiters would all (secretly) agree.

The only thing that is not changing is the price. This second Bistro of Chef Pierre Orsi used to be excellent. It is now only good

Such a treat - certainly one of the best meals I have had in years. Lyon is the gastronomical capital of France - it even has an imitation Eiffel Tower known as the Metallic Tower of Fourvière (1894). The Cazenove is outstanding - a menu (see their website) to dream of, and a truly remarkable chef (who spends significant time talking to his diners). The only thing I can add is that the only way to really appreciate this restaurant is to try it - there will be no regrets!

This restaurant serves amazing food and the service is Michelin-star worthy. On top of that, their somelier is outstanding!