Auberge Bienvenue - Doué-en-Anjou

May Day isa very popular holiday in France and one in which most restaurants are shut down and the ones that are open are packed. With the help of La Fourchette and our Michelin Road Atlas, we estimated where we would be in transit and booked a table at this very congenial hotel-restaurant. In the U.S.A. I usually avoid hotel restaurants unless the city is under siege. In France, they can be very fine choices patronized by even more locals than transients.The Bienvenue certainly is welcoming, a charming and serious culinary way station on the outskirts of a small historical town. It has been our experience that Logis Hotels, independent and usually characterful, are often a place with a decent kitchen and a favorable relationship with their town or region. This restaurant, however, has a very serious and talented chef and a dedicated wait staff. The restaurant was packed on the holiday and deservedly so. The cooking, plating, wine list and overall service confirm that this is a venue with genuine excellence. We chose fish dishes, which were superb. It was quite clear that plenty of beef was also going to neighboring tables and bringing much satisfaction to other diners.For the level of sophistication, gracious service and attractive ambiance, the prices were very fair. We chose the restaurant because it suited our travel plans. Now that we know how good it is, we would consider it a culinary destination as well. While we did not thoroughly appraise the attached three star hotel, it would make a very good stopover while visiting nearby chateaux and vineyards.

Tries to be modern but the food and ambience felt quite dated. Perhaps it's just because English restaurants have overtaken French ones but we were very disappointed. Silver service still? Please!

We had a great stay at the hotel. The service was impeccable and the room was fantastic. Very neat and tidy hotel with most of the little details very well taken care of. The hotel offers good and safe parking and its at walking distance from the bioparc which is definitely worth visiting.

Hot escalopes of foie gras served on roasted mango, followed by fillet of goose accompanied by a half-bottle of good quality Chinon red, with a delightful parfait glace to finish. Excellent value and quality.

Beautiful restaurant with an original menu and excellent amuse bouche. The service was impeccable and the food tasted as good is it looked. Great choice of Loire wines. Prices are adequate to the quality but reasonable overall.