Shining like a Michelin's star

Since 2007 Belgium and Luxembourg have had their own Michelin Guide. It was a natural consequence of Belux high status in matters of fine dining. Did you know that Luxembourg is the country that currently has the highest amount of Michelin restaurant stars per square kilometer (and per head of inhabitant as well)?

Luxembourg (as a country) has one two-star restaurant ("Mosconi" in Luxembourg-city) and 12 one-star restaurants in the capital and smaller towns (lets enumerate those from the capital: Clairefontaine, Le Bouquet Garni, Le Sud and Patin d'Or). It's worth underlining that "Mosconi" is the only Italian restaurant outside Italy to hold 2 Michelin stars and has something unique in the world: the 8-course “pasta” menu... Lunch menu is for 44 euros (with wine), evening one for 110 euros (with wine).

Want to have a look at Mosconi? (the photos 1 and 2 are from the Mosconi's website and nr 3 of its surroundings is mine).

Michelin has awarded its "Bib Gourmand" rating (which highlights restaurants offering "good food at moderate prices") to 8 other restaurants in Luxembourg (among them: Bottega Mi&Ti, Caves Gourmandes and Kamakura in Luxembourg-city). Price range for those Bibs: 25-145 euros.

As for everyday food most visible influences in Luxembourg canteens, supermarkets and restos are French (Alsacian) and Belgian. Some luxembourgish specialties are:
* "tarte fromage luxemburgois" (cheese cake),

 (photo by Neuceu)
* "petits bonhommes" (kind of sweet small bread) especially in the winter,

( photo by Cornischong )
* cakes "sablés" with luxembourgish Luxlait rose butter,
* plum "tarte" in the summer,
* local bio honey, herbal teas, beers and wines.

You can find a wide variety of green salads, milk products (cheeses and milk drinks), seafood, fishes, hums, "pâtés" (spreadable meat or vegetarian pastes), creamy soups (the one of green been has a status of a local specialty)... "Raclette" and "fondue" as well as lovely "tartines" are popular for evenings with friends. In the shops are many ready-made salads, sandwiches, pizzas and pastas that are popular among those busy and/or lazy workaholics. Bio food seems to be very trendy and there are many, many options for vegetarians.

Why talking about food? One of St Valentine's ideas is to go to the restaurant and enjoy special menu.
Here's an example of love menu, proposed by the restaurant "Le Bouquet garni":

The aphrodisiacs included in this delicious proposal are: truffles, seafood (langoustines, scallops) and chocolate.

By the way don't you find "cappuccino de pomme de terre a la truffe" (creamy potato cappucino with truffles) interesting? Mhmmm... If sb would like to try to do it on their own, here's the recipe.

Bon appétit for food and for love!