Empreinte, the gourmet restaurant at the Hôtel Napoléon in Fontainebleau

Just a stone's throw from the Château de Fontainebleau, the newly-opened Hôtel Napoléon unveils "Empreinte", its gourmet restaurant, with head chef Romain Fabry at the helm. We take you there...

On Fontainebleau's main street, close to the Jardin de Diane, the Hôtel Napoléon, a local institution that has undergone a complete makeover, opens its doors to us once again. With it, the Empreinte gourmet restaurant is unveiled. Located right in the center of town, this historic establishment, which dates back to the 16th century and welcomed Napoleon Bonaparte in his youth, has combined old-world charm with modern comforts.

The Empreinte restaurant, which takes over from the Table des Maréchaux, is run by chef Romain Fabry, whose career includes several Michelin-starred establishments. His career began under the aegis of Tomy Gousset, a mentor who taught him the basics of simple yet refined cuisine. He then honed his skills at Michel Rostang's prestigious establishment, where he learned rigor and excellence from Nicolas Beaumann. His stint at Fouquet's, alongside Bruno Guéret, marked a turning point, enabling him to develop a culinary style all his own. Today, Romain Fabry offers a cuisine that celebrates taste, rooted in tradition yet embracing modernity, a testament to his exceptional career path and constant quest for excellence.

When it comes to decor, nature awaits. You're in a forest, sheltered by trees. Wooden pendants, green walls, tree branches and dried flowers form a welcoming ensemble overlooking the central patio, green by day and illuminated by night. A space that promises a sunny terrace in fine weather.

Empreinte's culinary philosophy focuses on highlighting raw, local produce, with a menu that changes every three months to guarantee freshness and seasonality. Chef Fabry aspires to a cuisine that is "simple, easy to understand, accessible and tasty", transforming all products on site for an authentic experience.

We start with the starters: a veal tartare with herbs, enhanced by a gribiche condiment and turnip pickles, offering a light, fragrant appetizer. Agria's gnocchi, served with a yellow wine sauce, mushroom duxelle and caramelized onions, are deliciously mellow.

For the main course, we opt for the supreme of duckling, a finely-prepared, pinkish poultry dish with glazed vegetables. My sidekick is tempted by the roasted scallops, carefully prepared and accompanied by broccoli purée, wild broccoli, kumquat and bard jus.

As a good cheese lover, you won't want to miss the cheese platter with goat's cheese and Saint-Nectaire.

The dessert menu features original creations such as the soufflé comme une Suzette (with citrus, as you'd expect), proudly bearing the N of Napoleon. Gourmet delights include brioche perdue , a sweet and comforting end to the meal.

Empreinte offers quality cuisine that brings out the best in the ingredients. An attentive and varied wine selection completes the offer. If you're looking for a good restaurant in Fontainebleau, this is a new address to take note of.

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