Disappointing formel B


[This blog post is from 2007. Formel B has since changed its style to that of a gourmet bistro. More casual but with the same fantastic quality of food as always. I highly recommend it! Love, Trine]

On the occasion of my brother-in-law’s birthday, I had dinner at the restaurant named formel B, Saturday evening on 27 January.

This visit was actually the reason for my wanting to start my own blog. To write about my experiences and share them, if anybody would be interested in reading about them.

formel B - the new frontside

[UPDATE, 12 March 2007
Many thanks to Kristian and Rune for letting me shoot the photos for my blog!]

formel B is a Michelin star place situated in the Versterbro part of Copenhagen. It has been if not the one, then least amongst my very favourite restaurants, in Copenhagen. I’ve been there three times prior, first in 2002, and then in 2004 and 2005.

The Menu

The menu this evening, and with the wines we had, partly selected ourselves and partly recommended by the sommelier:

*cod with oyster èn gelé, cucumber & cream oyster sauce
1998 moet & chandon dom perignon

*Danish lobster with celeriac and foam lobster and saffron
pinot gris of some kind – see update of 1 February 2007 below

*terrin of foie gras in salt caramel crust with apples
same wine as above

*monkfish with smoked lard, tarragon and sherry sauce
barbera d’alba, cascina francia, giacomo conterno, piemonte

*coquelet with pearl onions, carrots and black truffles
2004 vosne-romanee engel, bourgogne

*blood orange, sorbet and tart of fresh cheese
2004 beerenauslese cuvee, alois kracher, burgenland

I love, love, love foie gras terrine, I admit that. The little salad that came with the foie gras was fantastic, quite rough leaves and crispy and sour-ish at the same time, and the crunch was so good and nothing that I’ve had like that with foie gras before. In particular I liked the small cubes of fruit of some kind, berries or whatever (don’t remember now).

Truffles are a delicacy to me. The winter truffles from Umbria (Norcia, I guess), which are in season right now are so tasty. And the truffles served this evening seemed very fresh, succulent – not dry-ish, I mean, which they could have been if they had been hid away in the fridge too long. The dark browned truffles with wonderful and powerful smell were sliced over the white poultry and orange carrots and the colours made it a beautiful plate.

Outside formel B

What I liked so much about this restaurant in the past was first of all that it was small, and second cosy. It had personality and uniqueness. In the meantime the place has expanded and employed a couple of more waitresses.

About the waitresses. Educated, yes, but stiff and dull, and not perfect. Not that it always has to be perfect, but indeed to have empty glasses because of the bottles being kept far away from the table and disabling you to help yourself, that shouldn’t happen at such a place. I had finished my glass of champagne with the tasty snacks and nice pre-dinner lobster ravioli. I had nothing to drink with my first course, not even water.

And what is this about changing the serviette every time one goes to the loo? Stressing. I always drink at lot of water, and so I must have gone 4-5 times during the evening. Eventually, they ran out of towels, most inappropriate. (Probably they haven’t had a guest with such a need like me before).

I couldn’t help noticing the priority of giving people new dry cloth for their mouths instead of drinkable liquids.

Portrait of the owners

The last four dishes were the best. The quite substantial selection of sweets that accompanied the (good and strong) coffee was lovely, almost too lovely after so much food at that point.

I also really liked the dessert. It had what I think should characterize all desserts, sweet and sour at the same time. The creamy tart was delicious and matched the acid-ness of the blood oranges sorbet and (I think) fruit gelé cubes very well.

The smoked lard surrounding the little monk fish steak suited the fish, and the daring slices of garlic, which had been blanched in vinegar to remove the pervading taste of those tiny onions, gave the dish an extra dimension, in my opinion.

I have said nothing about the wine. It was good and harmonious with the various dishes, but not spectacular. Liked a lot the dessert wine and the champagne – of course (another favourite of mine).

[UPDATE, 1 February 2007
I’ve nosed out what kind of Pinot Gris we had.
We would like a wine to go with both the foie gras and the lobster. Rather challenging, I know. The Pinot Gris we chose from Alsace, the 2001 Pinot Gris, Clos Jebsal, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht was full-bodied in a good way and twisted with a sweet after-taste, like swirling around, almost, in my mouth. In my opinion perfect for the rich and highly intense foie gras. To some people it is religion whether they prefer a sweet or a drier wine with the terrine. I have a sweet tooth, so that’s mostly my choice, and I also really like Gewürztraminer, or Traminer for that matter, to accompany the duck when it’s prepared like this.

But for the lobster it wasn’t the best selection. I wonder what wine would have been. Indeed it was drinkable with the shellfish and fine with the celeriac and the powerful saffron, but it didn’t add anything to the completeness of the experience of this dish. Not like the foie gras, where the wine lifted the whole thing.

Perhaps, I should also add that this Pinot Gris is entirely something that goes with food. I wouldn’t enjoy it as much alone.]

Anyways, I’d like to stress that the food is good at formel B. It’s just sad that it has lost its charm, the wonderful atmosphere, and has now become just another fancy restaurant.

28 Responses to “Disappointing formel B”


  • Hej Trine

    Tack för en fantastisk blog! Nästa vecka åker jag över till Köpenhavn. Har bokat in Formel B och Mêlée. Formel B var jag på 2006, det var då helt outstanding, vet dom har nytt koncept med “enklare” mat nu, har du varit där och testat det? Hann du prova Trio i Malmö innan dom stängde?

    • Hej Thomas

      Formel b har skiftet koncept og serverer nu enkeltretter som hver koster 130 DKK. Jeg har kun hørt ekstremt godt om den nye stil. 🙂 desværre har jeg ikke selv haft mulighed for at prøve det endnu men jeg glæder mig rigtigt meget!
      Fik ej heller prøvet Trio 🙁
      Tak for de flotte ord! 😉

  • No, already too late for noma? Tim, that’s bad news, sorry to hear that. In case you do rearrange for a lunch I (believe I) can arrange for that as well.

    Paris: Yep, but I’m only in centre for about a day and then for the rest of the trip far out of town. Anyways, I’ve made reservations for La Regalade and Ze Kitchen Galerie so really hope to make it. Have you been there? Oh, by the way I think we’ll be going to Dîner Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole one evening as part of a sightseeing tour or something.
    (What does Cheers/A+ mean? — sorry for my ignorance).
    Salut
    Trine

  • Thanks Trine
    Alas, I’m afraid I’m already too late to get a dinner reservation at Noma for the last week of October. My only hope is to reschedule work commitments and slip in for lunch — but that’s unlikely. Company for dinner or a drink would be delightful. I’ll keep you posted as I refine my schedule.
    Glad to hear you’re enjoying some 2005 Rully. Coincidentally, I’ve been drinking a lot of it lately — both red and white; and both the luscious 2005s and the surprisingly impressive 2006s.
    Despite your heavy work schedule in Paris you must be eating somewhere. So, where? I see that your friend Laurent has just dined at the new L’Agapé, (just around the corner from us). We’ve been meaning to try it since the space changed hands but probably won’t have an opportunity now for several weeks.
    Re Brussels – thanks to both you and Laurent. Of course by now I’ve gone back and read your Blog and corrected my fuzzy recollection about a recommendation for “Brussels”. It was indeed In de wulf near Lille and I have it down on the list for a week-end away as soon as we can get there. Laurent: I’ve used the Sensum site for several years and it’s great. I was just trying to supplement it with the observations of kindred spirits I’ve encountered through Trine’s Blog. I travel to Brussels often but rarely allow myself the luxury of an overnight stay. It’s usually just meetings sandwiched between two trains.
    Cheers/A+
    Tim

  • If i may add something, here is a link with the most interesting website referencing quality restaurants in Brussels and Wallonia :
    http://www.sensum.be

    Some of the top restaurants around Brussels : Air du Temps, Pastorale, Couvert Couvert. And in Brussels : Bistrot du Mail, Le Chalet de la Forêt, …

    In de Wulf is fantastic as said by Trine, but located at 180km from Brussels.

    Enjoy.
    Laurent

  • Hello Tim

    So great to hear from you and that you’re already coming back. I keep my fingers croos and hope you succeed to noma this time. By the way, do let me know if you need company there (end october would be perfect as that’s when my noma quarantine is over;) or at a pre-diner drink somewhere. verygoodgoodfood at gmail dot com
    I’m right now in Edinburgh and exploring this fantastic city full of gothic and mediaeval grey buildings and history. Not tried haggis yet, but some good oysters and fish flush down with a nice 2005 Rully. But, I’ve also tried a couple of whiskies to the world of which I’m a total novice.
    Next week is Paris. Unfortunately all days will be packed with bussiness arrangements, so I’ll vicariously through your wonderful French foodie pictures. You are not the first person I hear praising L’Astrance.
    And, you’re going to Brussels. I have never been there. It’s In de Wulf very close to the Frech border and not far from Lille, where I dined this summer. IT’s HIGHLY recommendable.

    formel B – really want to go back there.

    Cheers
    Trine

  • Hi Trine
    I will finally be getting back to Copenhagen end-October and will try hard to get in to Noma and perhaps Geranium too. Your Blog, and comments by Klaus, inspired me to get a new Cannon and the 50 mm f/1.4 which has been getting a workout but I have a way to go to match your pics….and unfortunately no time for my own Blog yet, so I don’t have any on display. Highlights of summer dining for me were the simple platters of succulent oysters that I strapped to the back of my bicycle for a daily appetiser during our annual beach vacation on Cap Ferret. But we also had memorable meals at Jean-Luc Rabanel’s Atelier (and Bistrot à Coté) in Arles, superbly-fresh and flawlessly-prepared fish at the funky 1 star Youpala in Saint Brieuc, Bretagne and the richest and most flavourful Coq au Vin I have ever eaten, on the edge of Villié-Morgon in Beaujolais. (A visit to l’Huilerie Beaujolais just down the road in Beaujeu, for the finest nut oils in all of France is imperative if we are ever within 300 km of this town!) The return to Paris offered a chance to celebrate a landmark birthday with a near perfect meal at Pierre Gagnaire.
    By the way, I agree with your comment on the quality of Wine Menus in Copenhagen. I often avoid the wine pairings in even top restaurants. But the wine selection and service I had at Formel B (yes, I’m still raving about Formel B!) was outstanding. In Paris, the best wine pairing I have had, and one of the best meals too, was at l’Astrance.
    Now I must recheck your Blog for some Brussels recommendations. I have always enjoyed Jaloa but I think you have mentioned some other places I haven’t yet tried.
    À bientôt, peut-être…
    Cheers
    Tim

  • Hi Paris Tim

    Wow, what a long and lovely comment. I’m sorry it took me a couple of days to reply this time. I am on my way to Jutland for my first Chef’s Table dinner. It’s a family birthday celebration. Am VERY excited.

    Your Parisian life sounds wonderful I must say, and I’m jealous. You’re right, fine dining is very much about finding inspiration for the home cooking.
    It’s a pleasure to read of your favourite dining places and white Burgundies. I don’t know André Bonhomme or the Bret Bros. but the Macon that Merlin produce is great value in my opnion. I am also very keen on the white Givry 1er Cru Clos de la Servoisine from Joblot. I have a 2005 one that I can’t wait to find an opportunity to try. Actually, now I think of it, I have never tried a white Grand Cru from the Burgundy appellation.
    It was my plan to visit Burgundy this summer, but the route goes through the Netherlands, Belgium to Omaha Beach and Bayeux and offers some great dining, so Burgundy is a bit too far for this trip. Next year I hope.

    Please, please tell me about the reds Bs and of formel B of course!

    cheers
    Trine

    Ps. Let me know if you need company when you succeed in booking noma.

  • Hi Trine
    I certainly admire your ability to dine in some of the finest places in the world and still find time to write a great Blog, massage the photos and respond almost instantly to every comment you receive.
    Yes, Paris is home and we chose to live in France since food and wine are essential elements of our lifestyle. Where do I like to eat here you ask? Well my tastes run across the range and I’m not committed to the three star temples. Recently I’ve much enjoyed l’Astrance and Apicius in Paris and Roellinger in Bretagne, but I’ve also had memorable meals of seared boudin noir on some fresh greens or succulent cuisses de grenouilles at a simple place like le Père Claude or even a perfectly roasted chicken and lentil salad at the café on the corner. On Saturday we’ll often pick up a few dozen freshly shucked oysters from the huitrier down the street and pop some Chablis, Sancerre or even Muscadet corks in a local wine bar and have lunch at the counter with friends. When the Fines de Claire are “fat” as they were throughout April and May, that’s an inexpensive feast that is off anyone’s rating scale. But often the best food we enjoy here is at home since my favourite fish markets offer me the freshest Bar, Rouget, Langoustine or whatever, according to the season. Sometimes I think I go to places like formel B and, soon I hope, Noma, as much for the inspiration as for the food itself.
    And what are my favourite Burgundian whites? Just like for the restaurants, you don’t have to open a Grand Cru to enjoy a great wine. Lately, I’ve been finding tremendous value in Macon with simple, inexpensive yet incredibly rich wines from André Bonhomme or, my current favourites, the intense mineral-lemon gems of the Bret Bros. , (Yes, they’re French and they call themselves the Bret Brothers), particularly the 2005 Climat “La Roche”. Moving up (North) the Saint Romains of Alain Gras are some of the most balanced whites with the longest finish I’ve had in years. Incredible value for money! Further north, the steely acidity and length of Hubert Chavy’s 1er Cru Puligny-Montrachet “Les Folatières”, never fails to impress our guests. I also adore Chablis where I fill up the trunk with good-value 1er Crus from Pommier or the intense, mineral-rich Grand Crus from Defaix that require some patience before they are consumed. Of course, I visit the producers to taste and buy all these wines so the pleasure is magnified.
    In addition to great wine there is some decent dining in Burgundy too. I love le Benaton (Beaune) and the Charlemagne (Pernand-Vergelesses), but Dijon and the entire Côte d’Or are filled with ambitious, chefs that are not only good, but always trying to be better.
    I haven’t even discussed the Burgundy reds and I haven’t, yet, told you what I ate at formel B. That will come, I promise. In the meantime your photos, and Klaus’s advice, have inspired me to get a real camera again so my spare minutes are consumed with camera research. I think I’ll take the easy, and lightweight, route. I need some quality pics to go with all these restaurant notes I have been taking for years!
    Thanks again for introducing me to great dining in Copenhagen.
    Cheers
    Tim

  • Hi Tim
    I cannot tell you how happy I am to hear this. I have wanted to return to formel B for so long, but haven’t succeed yet for several reasons. Not because the service disappointed me last time, however. Thank you so much for writing me! Please, by all means, I’d LOVE to hear what you ate and drank.

    Burgundy fanatic? Ooh. Yeah. Easy for me to understand. 🙂 I’ve always been impressed by the wines at formel B, did you know that the chief of the restaurant Martin Bek was rewarded the sommelier of the year 2007 in Denmark? In fact so was formel B – restaurant of the year.

    Since your base is Paris you’ll have to reveal me your favourite places there! 😉

    Ciao
    Trine

  • Hi Trine
    Fortunately, I stumbled into your Blog en route to Copenhagen for a couple days of meetings earlier this week. I had no idea that CPH was such a hot restaurant city and I had not expected to travel there from Paris to have a good meal. But your notes changed my mind and I soon found myself begging for a last-minute reservation. Noma tried hard to squeeze me in but it was impossible. They get full marks for phone courtesy, though, and I’ll certainly book ahead for the next visit. Geranium, too, couldn’t feed me. I had formel B lower on my list due to your “Disappointing….” story and the fact that it was labelled as French cuisine. (I live in Paris so I’m not starved for French cuisine). Well, they blew me away with some of the best food and service I have had anywhere in years. I’d love to take you through the whole meal but this is your Blog, not mine. When I questioned how the Chef had prepped the skate I was enjoying, he carved up a new raw portion and sent it out so I could see how he handled it. These people recognised my interest and responded with impeccable service. Furthermore, the young Sommelier did a superb job and when I questioned one of his choices, before I had tried it, he poured me two options. His match was perfect. This was definitely the right place for a Burgundy fanatic like me. I hope you reconsider your “disappointing” viewpoint; my glasses were tended to assiduously all night long!:-) Thanks for turning me on to Copenhagen dining. I can’t wait to get back there to try Noma (your photos are fantastic) and some other places …. and to revisit formel B too!
    Salut
    Tim

  • Hi David

    Thanks a lot for your comment!

    I’m sorry to hear that the service is no better than when I visited this place 7 months ago.

    Yes, Paustian is good food too. I went there a few years ago, and have only been there once. Unfortunately, that evening one of the waiters were more busy chatting with the two girls a the table next to us than waiting ours. I was lucky that my favourite waiter could step in instead. 🙂

  • We eat at formel B two days ago and I must say that even though it was good food the atmosphere was not the best (it did not help that the birthday girl by the next table kept answering her mobile) and the service was also a little bit confusing and missed a relaxing attitude.

    We have also been eating at Paustian which was very good and enjoyable compared to formel B and I would recommend people going there instead.

  • I wanted to meet an American icon, and I did.

  • Going back to Paris and the Four Seasons Hotel. This place seems to have a special place in your heart, too. I wonder what made you choose this one in the first place? I mean amongst the many other extravagant (European) alternatives.

  • Falsled is wonderful, the settings unbeatable, but the same goes for Fakkelgaarden, have the best breakfast in Denmark, in their garden – overlooking Flensborg Fjord. Somehow the sun is always shining when we are there. However, the winelist at Fakkelgaarden is VERY expensive and to my taste limited. For example a normal Ornellaia was priced double as high in Fakkelgaarden as in Munkebo, same year.

    But I celebrated my wedding at Fakkelgaarden, so that will always have a special place in my heart. Even though Christian Bind has left.

    I have never been to Era Ora, just heard that it was expensive.

    As to Casa Antonio, I dont remember the food either, only that it felt like stepping into an “Italian restaurant”….you could almost see Anthony Soprano sitting in the corner.

  • Tough business, the stars.

    Casa d’Antino, I’ve been there too. But just once (four years ago I think), because I wasn’t exactly thrilled about it. I must admit that I don’t now recall what that was. However, I enjoyed the very Italian feeling about it, a bit like walking into a little piece of Italy. The wine. They have the nice shop around the corner. One of the few places in Copenhagen where you can get the Franciacorta. It’s not Champagne, a little different, but as good as Champagne. I’ll have to have a bottle next to me to really define the taste. What I taste. Now I think about it, the food was very good alla casa, but my impression was that for that kind of money, I would have a bunch of other great places to choose from. ‘De Gaulle‘ for one (but not necessarily these days).

    I wonder why you say that Era Ora is too expensive. I mean if you have been to Falsled, absolutely adorable surroundings, idyll, but never been inside unfortunately. Falsled is at least at Era Ora’s level, in my opinion. Munkebo Kro has your favourite Burgundy on their list, by the way. Fakkelgarden, only read the many good reviews of that place. Funen has handful of nice places.

  • Yeah, thats the wonder and beauty of it. They make you fell at home right away.

    As for the stars… I guess you are right in some fashion. Its well know that the prices get a step up with any stars awarded. And in the little country where I live its a well-known fact that you need to know a lot of the right people whereas other less fortunate will unjustified never get there. I have been to two-stars restaurants a few times, even 1 3 stars, and said what the heck was that all about…. but in general its a nice system that gives you a chance to judge by yourself or discover gems. In general their guide is very god to bring a long on any trip. Even if you are not looking for the stars so to speak.

    You may mail me whenever you get to the planing of your trip through Germany and I would be happy to give some advice. Rural Germany is cheap in compare for “stars” eating…

    To my knowledge 3 stars have never been awarded to any Scandinavian restuarant, but the ignorant French people only consider the capitols, which leaves out the top of Danish gastronomy anyway…such as Fakkelgaarden, Falsled Kro or Munkebo Kro.

    As to Era Ora, I always heard good of it, but also that it is too expensive. I have been to the one at the end of Dronningens Tvaergade a few times. Hes got quite a nice wine list. I think the name is Casa Antonio.

    Now all this talk made med hungry, think I will fix myself an onignon omelette….

  • An escort to the loo like you described, it really made me laugh, sorry, but I would love to try that once. Amazing. Yes, I guess I’ll have to save up a fortune, then. They’d probably hate me there. What entertaining stories you have. And surprising.

    I’m not driving to Marseille, but to Northern Italy, later, still from Copenhagen and through Germany. Would you by chance have a suggestion for something nice in Germany? I assume Switzerland to be even more expensive than Paris.

    Have you ever been to Era Ora? If so, I wonder what you think about that place. Their new (well, not really new anymore) location and interior, also the outdoor terrace, really nice during summer time. Good food. I think my hobby saw light for the first time, when I dined there. Being Italophile, it was a wonderful evening, not least because I thought that I was going somewhere else and was brought to this restaurant unexpectedly. I love surprises. But then, who doesn’t.

    Stars. I like the stars and the concept, it’s an interesting study. But don’t you think sometimes that you pay too much only for the name and the stars of it? Or maybe, they are just not professional enough in Denmark. I mean making every effort to achieve the one or two ones (I’m not too sure a restaurant in Denmark has ever got three, perhaps you know about that), but forgetting the nerve and essence, the basic pleasure of it? Are you able to relax in at Le Cinq?

  • I have indeed been to Restaurationen – but only one time. Very nice.

    No, I have never been to Marseille, so no help there…I presume you are flying. If in fact you are driving I would be happy to offer advice on a few nice spots on your route.

    Now, if you think Copenhagen is expensive try Paris…..I think the big menu at Le cinq is now priced at 280 Eruo, so with aperitifs, wine and cognac, you would be at least 1200 euros lighter when you leave assuming you were two. The good thing is all waiters will goodby you with your sir name. Funny thing there…whenever you leave for the toilet – which in your case can be rather often I understand, a waiter will pop out of nowhere and escort you through the restaurant. Him or a colleage will then escort you back when you return to the room. Not only ladies but also men get that attention.

    Their sommelier level is also extraordinary. I spoke to the 2 or 3 that serviced our table, one of them a young fellow I asked, what about ambitions….you are 23, working as a sommelier in a 3 star michelin restaurant which holds the world best sommelier as well as prior champions in that sport….what can you want more ???. He said without to blink…..To be number one myself. After work he studied each night 2 hours when he got home, and the same in the mornings before going to work. Now I do believe study meant reading about wine, not drinking.

    And do not even try to compare service level of that restaurant to anything in Copenhagen…that comparison would leave Formel B closer to the standard of Macdonalds. But then maybe thats a good thing. That they have realized that a level like that is so far out of reach. Still I agree with you, simple things should be handled correctly at all times, and us the consumers should not really need to think about the way they place things on the table – or the wine out of reach. Guess I could ramble on forever…….will stop here for now.

  • Ensemble is definitely on my list, too!

    Søllerød is nice, that’s right. I sometimes, during summer, go there in the afternoon to have coffee and a sweet, just to enjoy the cosy-ness, old-ness and historic atmosphere there, cool inside, away from the summer heat. Their desserts are excellent.

    Another really lovely gourmet place is the one of your name-friend Bo Jacobsen’s one, the ‘Restaurationen’. (Had a star for a couple of years, but lost it again). I like Bo’s restaurant because it’s honest and sincere and not at all posh in the negative sense of the word. Absolutely great food. Was my favourite place before I tried formel B, but haven’t dined there since many years. Like Søllerød.

    Speaking of Paris, France – can you recommend something in Marseille? Going there and have never been before.

    Problem is though, with Copenhagen, that it’s exorbitantly expensive to dine real gourmet here!

  • No such thing as recognition. I am a sucker for that. I have 5 stayed in one of the top hotels of the world George V in Paris. They are so good at that. After seeing you one time they know who you are and why…. Going back end of March…also to dine in their now 2-star Michelin restaurant (it lost its third this year to big surprice).

    I forgot to mention that on all other occasions, which has been both pleasure and business, Formel B has been top level – both innovative and tasteful and until my last experience I have recommended it to many.

    Being a “foreigner” I dont come to Copenhagen that often…so I havent tried Paustian yet. I have tried Soelleroed Kro a few times recently, which I highly recommend. Fantastic. And expensive.

    I am looking forward to reading about your further disclosures of the Copenhagen gastronomy. On my wishing list I have Ensemble and Noma……so try them out for me please !

  • Hello Bo

    Thanks very much for your comment and for sharing your experience(-s) at formel B. It doesn’ at all sound nice with that duck odeur floating all over.

    I only know very little of Burgundy, but I absolutely would like to explore that area, so thanks a bunch for the tip about Meo-Camuzet. I’ll remember that!

    Btw, yes it was René Engel that (my) evening.

    A funny story about a proficient and wine-ly wise waiter at formel B. A couple of months after my second time there, I dined at another nice place named Paustian, perhaps you know that one too, and the waiter recognized me and also remembered exactly what kind of Marc I had with the coffee at formel B. He therefore recommended me something different this time. And I find that amazing and it being the little bit of something extra that makes it (also) so marvellous and adventurous to eat at such excellent places.

    Cheers
    trine

  • Congrats on your blog…..always nice to read about great food and wine. I have been to Formel B on many occasions, but must say that my last visit dates back to early 2006. That night there was a thick as a brick smell of duck in the restaurant and even though I like duck – more or less all dishes in their fixed menu was somehow “infected” by a piece of fois gras (which I normallly LOVE !) And if duck wasnt present the plate, it was as I mentioned – in the air and that put us all (4) off.

    The Engel wine….dont know if this is the one, but I have on several occasions drank Burgundy wines from a very famous cult producer called Rene Engel, from village to Grand Cru, and they are always lovely though my favourite Burgundy producer has to be Meo-Camuzet – check him out if you get the chance.

  • yo, brother!
    I did mention the little pre-dinner goodie, but OK, as a passing remark on my way to the waitresses’ bad feeling for serving me water. I liked it too, but not as much as the last four plates on the menu. It was delicious, however not pleasurably surprising in any way. And that’s mostly what motivates me to dine at such fancy places.
    Anyways, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
    your
    goodfood trine

  • You’ve forgot the lobster ravioli- starter we had, which I enjoyed 😉
    You absolutely right about the lack of perfection at Formel B. It was very very nice, but in that category one should demand nothing but excellence, and they couldn’t quite live up to the reputation and the Michelin star.

    Anyway, you guys made it an amazing evening anyway 😉

    /You’re brother-in-law

  • dear highly cultured sommelier
    Thanks a lot for your commenting my formel B experience. (Wow!, my first comment ever). What an interesting read!Actually, I don’t think the Vosne-Romanée was a cru one. I’ve checked the piece of paper I brought home with the menu written on it (nice thick paper, by the way, with the name of the restaurant formed in the paper, which makes the menu worth saving) and it doesn’t say anything about that – being cru. Unfortunately.I promise that when posting my next report(-s), I’ll elaorate more on the wines.
    your
    goodfood trine

  • It made me hungry just to read it! 🙂
    Nice report. Good luck with this blog.
    I was wondering if Vosne-Romanee wine that you had was a 1er Cru or village appellation. On top of that I have never heard of domaine Engel before – I knew an Alsace producer with this name but Burgundy? So… I checked on the web and I found this: http://www.burgundy-report.com/205/features/engel.html
    I also found out that it was probably one of the last bottles under this name. Wine Spectator on the September 22, 2006 announced that: “French businessman François Pinault, owner of Bordeaux first-growth Château Latour, has purchased Domaine Engel in Burgundy’s Vosne-Romanée appellation for an undisclosed price. The 15-acre domaine includes prime plots in the premier cru Vosne-Romanée Les Brûlées vineyard and the grands crus Echézeaux, Grands Echézeaux and Clos de Vougeot.”
    Anyways… This note was simply to congratulate you on your blog 😉

    Sincerely,
    Your sommelier

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