Marseille | 3-Michelin-Starred | The Most Information-Packed Meal

【AM Par Alexandre Mazzia】 I can rattle off a list of 3-Michelin-starred restaurants that feel like "textbooks" of fine dining—but when it comes to one that’s more like an "encyclopedia," AM Par Alexandre Mazzia stands alone. Finding such an avant-garde, bold restaurant in Marseille already came as a surprise. But the moment I stepped through its doors, every stereotype I had about French 3-star establishments shattered. No grand hotel lobby entrance, no high-ceilinged chandeliers, no sprawling white-linened tables. AM felt more like a cozy Brooklyn wine bar 🍷: a humble, understated storefront; a compact interior that gets pleasantly chaotic once four or five tables fill up; and a no-fuss decor of dark wood, black accents, and—most eye-catching of all—vintage car models lining the wooden shelves 🚗. It’s the kind of space any neighborhood café could replicate, yet it holds three Michelin stars. Go figure. The service? Equally unconventional. We arrived 15 minutes early for our reservation, only to be left unattended—no water, no wine list, no menu—until our scheduled time rolled around. It was quirky, to say the least 😅. But the real "oddity" lies in the chef himself: Alexandre Mazzia is a (prodigy) in every sense. Hard to believe this self-taught culinary master was once a professional basketball player 🏀—yet his command of ingredients and spices is nothing short of genius. He wields flavors with wild creativity, blending unexpected elements with the ease of someone reciting a familiar poem. Watching him work the pass, you sense his intense self-assurance: he rarely glances at diners, his eyes fixed only on his dishes 👨🍳. It explains why, I think, this isn’t a restaurant easily enjoyed by casual diners. Here, "courses" aren’t really courses—they’re chapters. Each is a collection of small dishes, with clear flavor boundaries between courses, but little harmony within them. The plating is dense with elements; the seasoning leans bold, even heavy. By the end, the meal felt exhausting as watching a chaotic, unfocused play 📖—and the bill? A menu as densely packed as a screenplay, listing every component in meticulous detail. Do I regret going? Not one bit. Nor do I question its 3-star status—Chef Mazzia’s skill and talent are undeniable. But this "firehose" style of dining, where every bite bombards you with information, feels almost divorced from the joy of eating. It’s impressive, yes. But is it enjoyable? That’s a different question 🤔. #Marseille#FrenchMichelin #MichelinRestaurantReview #SouthernFranceMichelin #MarseilleFood #3MichelinStars #MyFoodDiary