RELAIS DES GROTTES

The Relais des Grottes has changed hands since we were last there but that hasn't meant a drop in standards, in fact, if anythingit has slightly improved. The restaurant is situated in the centre of the village of Azé and has a lovely shady (wisteria...covered) veranda. They normally do the usual plat du jour courses) for but were not doing this during the holiday season. Fine by me, I wanted a salad anyway and the salad de la chef was excellent. My husband had what was supposed to be a piece of charollais faux fillet. It has to be at least It was massive and beautifully thick (like a British or US steak) and very unlike a French cut. He said it was the best steak he has eaten in a long, long, time. We live in Normandy and find that they steak, although tasty is usually pretty tough. This was tasty AND melt in the mouth, cooked to perfection. The owner is originally from Normandy and also does moules et frites from Normandy on a Friday night; quite a rarity in Burgundy. I hope I don't wait another ten years to return to this lovely little restaurant.

We visited Aze to buy some wine at the local co-operative and decided to have lunch at this village centre restaurant. The terrace area was full (we arrived after which was later than most locals), but the owner invited us into the comfortable bar...area. Service was a little slow at first as he attended to those outside, but he made us know he was aware of us and soon had his full attention. We had the menu at euros and chose charolais steak and frites, white cheese and a dessert. It was routine French bistro food, but pleasant with friendly service in an airy modern room. Very informal and French and a pleasant place to spend a leisurely lunch hour.

We ate at the Relais des Grottes a few years ago and enjoyed a second and third visit this week under new ownership. A cracking local bistro style meal. We sat on the terrace with a lovely bottle of local wine, honest food well cooked,...in the Burgundy sunshine until late. What more can we ask!

We had a great meal at this restaurant in the heart of Macon's wine country. We booked a table (worth doing in advance if you're there on a Sunday, as it's the famous homemade burger night), and had a great meal. The service was cheerful...and efficient, the food tasty (I had the best salad I've had in years, and other members of the family had the stuffed chicken and the burger), and the wine, a Jules Richard Macon Aze, was delicious. We love Aze, and this unfussy, charming restaurant was the icing on the cake.

They serve good food for a reasonable price. Ofcourse some things could be better but overall we had nothing to complain. Very friendly staff. And a very nice terras outside. If in the neighbourhood we'll eat here again.