Best resto we ate at in our 5 days in the sud-ouest. The dinner was better than Michelin starred…read morerestaurants we are at later in our trip. Don't miss this place if you are in Angoulême.

From the owner: La gastronomie dans la rue Discrète de l'extérieur, la Ruelle est en fait et sans conteste l'une…read moredes meilleures tables d'Angoulême, et ce depuis plus de 25 ans. Cet ancien passage est aujourd'hui coiffé d'un toit. Ceci explique la hauteur des salles, et le charme des grosses pierres, de la cheminée concordent parfaitement avec la cuisine proposée : authenticité, originalité, qualité et élégance sont les mots d'ordre.

"Chez Paul" is a fine place to have lunch or dinner. In a big place several mood blend together,…read morebut the most impressive is the backyard where there is a great garden and calm foutain. The menu is full of French gastronomy. With light dishes, the plate isneither full neither empty, just the amount you need. Prices are not so high and are what you expect of the quality you see. The best way to enjoy is to take the "plaisir" menu. Waiters and waitress are polite and aware, they never hesitate to come check if everything is fine. Definitely a good place if you are looking for a distinguished restaurant.

I was born in France but now live in California, just back from a two week trip in the old country…read more On our way to Sarlat, my girlfriend and I happened to reach Angoulême on a summer Sunday at lunchtime. After walking through the market hall in the upper old town and looking around for some local food, we found "Chez Paul" inviting. It was fairly early, maybe 12:30pm, and only a few tables were occupied in the backyard. One of the French comments says the decor is out of fashion, but I liked the bistrot style. It is modern and clean, but friendly, welcoming and not pretentious. The place is neat with attention to details, and the tables are nicely separated. The blue giraffe in the middle of the vines was a nice surprise. We started reading the menus in French, but when the waitress heard us speak English, she immediately proposed some translated menus. That is one additional star right there! Thank you. The menu looked good for summer, I would certainly try some of the meats, and the salads looked quite nice. After a week on the coast splurging on seafood, I was more than ready for the 200gr (7oz) foie gras "de nos grands-mères" (our grand mothers' way) and some great south west half bottle of wine out of the very adequate list. Since we just saw market prices, I would say the markup is definitely worth sitting at a nice table with a very friendly service. The foie gras was perfect as far as I can tell, super clean, super soft, the right amount of salt and pepper. My very health conscious American friend now has a new perspective on this devilish creation. Along with a salad and some coffee, that turned out to be enough for us feeling full and happy. Only tiny wrinkle, the place was full (good for them) when we left and we had to wait a bit to get the check. So yes, it was summer, we were on vacation and the weather was great, but going back to our car, I was quite glad we had picked this place and not another one.

From the owner: Courrez place des Halles et attrapez-la ! Un bar jeune et original dont le thème est...la souris…read moreverte ! Entrez, et découvrez ses banquettes de velours, vert bien sûr, ses accueillantes tables de bois foncé, et ses tableaux mettant en scène la mascotte du lieu. Ce cadre élégant s'étend sur deux étages ; vous pourrez écouler la soirée à votre goût, sur une musique agréable.