La Ficelle sur Caen

22/03/2026: There are some places you sense even before you set foot in them. The moment you enter the dining room on Quai François Mitterrand, you understand that Anthony Caillot hasn't just moved his pots and pans: he has rebuilt, with the same team, a setting worthy of the dishes on the plate. The silver birch wallpaper, the dusty rose velvet chairs, the wooden bowls on the tables—everything suggests that you will be nourished as much as moved. Anthony Caillot's story deserves to be told, because it reveals something about the man himself. His restaurant on Rue des Croisiers (Michelin-starred, renowned, beloved) was taken from him overnight due to structural issues with the building. Others would have given up. He bounced back, quietly, without any apparent bitterness. And Michelin hasn't yet followed suit. But no matter: the reality of fine food doesn't wait for guides. You choose between five or seven courses. In reality, you choose to trust. The amuse-bouches set the tone: everything is there from the start—precision, generosity, a playful spirit. You smile even before you begin. What follows adheres to the same guiding principle throughout the meal: clean flavors, never overwhelmed by technique, always serving the product. The pollack, the squab, the desserts—each dish tells a story, without ever trying to impress for the sake of impressing. This is the cuisine of someone with an unerring ear for flavor. It is generous, precise, and luminous. You can't talk about À Contre-Sens without talking about Jeanne. The young sommelier has that rare gift of bringing wines into the conversation as one would invite someone special to sit down at the table. Her pairings are deliberate choices, always spot-on, sometimes surprising, that elevate each dish to another level. In a time when the world of wine can sometimes be intimidating, Jeanne brings warmth and connection. À Contre-Sens is one of those restaurants where you leave feeling transformed. Anthony Caillot cooks with a generosity that feels entirely natural, a technique that prioritizes flavor over show. Whether Michelin approves or not is irrelevant. Talented people always find their audience in the end. So if you're ever in Caen, be sure to try this wonderful place!

13/03/2026: We went there yesterday for lunch. From the appetizer to the dessert, including the bread, butter, and little treats with the coffee, everything was delicious. A wonderful discovery! The staff were very attentive and professional. In short, a real delight for our taste buds. Bravo to the chef!