The story
On the heights of Belley, in the small hamlet of Virignin, La Fine Fourchette occupies a spot that makes the most of its setting. The restaurant’s vast panoramic terrace looks out over the Rhône canal, a view that frames a meal built on local produce and modern technique. The interior is convivial and contemporary, matching the cooking that comes from the kitchen.
Chef Mickaël Brinioli, a native of the Cher, found his vocation alongside Michelin-starred chef Xavier Mathieu at L’Hostellerie Le Phebus in the Luberon. The years that followed took him to the three-star kitchens of Relais Bernard Loiseau and La Côte Saint Jacques, then to the two-star Table du Kilimandjaro in Courchevel. In 2018, he and his wife Maëva bought La Fine Fourchette, making it their own.
The cooking is rooted in the Bugey terroir, with menus that change with the seasons. Brinioli’s aim is to “sublimate quality products without denaturing them.” The menu is a series of wordplays on the Ain department: “Ainpression” (32€), “Ainstinct” (38€), “Ainprenable” (52€-68€), and “Ainspiration” (78€). Standout dishes include scallops in a chaud-froid preparation with cauliflower and herb broth, Duroc pork from Valromey served as a cordon bleu with gribiche and local Comté, and quail with a foie gras-stuffed flank and confit leg alongside a celery-parsnip risotto with arabica jus. Desserts like the vanilla plombière perfumed with marc du Bugey or the Chantecler apple tatin with chestnut-potato bubble show the same care.
La Fine Fourchette has earned a place in the Michelin guide for its modern cuisine, consistent execution, and the strength of its local sourcing. The restaurant’s outdoor terrace, ample parking, and the warm welcome from the dining room team complete the experience.
Recognition
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