L'Émotion

L’Émotion opened 3 December 2019 on Place Cadelade, Le Puy-en-Velay, with the stated ambition of "evoking emotion" and delivering gustatory pleasure through carefully crafted plates. Front of house is Amandine Ruat, trained at the Yssingeaux hotel school, responsible for the restaurant’s wine service and warm hospitality. The restaurant emphasises sourcing from local producers and offers over 150 wines and champagnes; it holds a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand. Guests dine on the terrace or in an air-conditioned dining room where elegance informs decor and plates. Contemporary French cuisine uses seasonal ingredients and fresh preparations transformed on site; the carte changes every six weeks; prix fixe and tasting menus are offered. Michaël Ruat leads the kitchen; he worked at Le Pont d’Alleyras and La Pyramide, owned Bambou et Basilic and joined the Toques d’Auvergne in 2018. Specialties include Magret de canard du Sud-Ouest, girolles; Thon rouge juste cuit, tomato tartare and sorbet; Foie gras de canard du Sud-Ouest, apricot compote and brioche; Gravelax de truite, pickles and beetroot gel; Les perles rouges du Velay, raspberry sorbet; and dishes featuring lentilles du Puy, verveine, agneau noir du Velay and veal from Monts Velay.