Southern France offers little in the Winter months, particularly around the holidays, so finding an…read moreopen restaurant is a lucky moment indeed. The Brit and I went on a recommendation from The Brit elders, though they had yet to dine there. We were desperate for a night out and willing to take whatever we got in this little, abandoned region.
Being dark and desolate, it was wise to follow the recommendation to look for the fairly lights, though it wasn't too difficult to spot. The restaurant is situated right next to a lake, which I imagine is lovely during the day. Probably a lot better view than the continuous flow of smokers who stood sucking their cancer sticks outside our windows.
Reservations are recommended, just to be on the safe side, and can be made if you're lucky enough to find the spot open - according to The Brit's parents. We arrived for an 8:30pm sitting, but saw quite a few groups come for even later sittings as the night wore on. There was no one to greet us when we arrived, which we quickly found out was because there was only one woman tending to every table. She did a fantastic job though, and you would be quick to forgive any slowness with how many tables she was serving. Our seat was drafty, and while I wanted a table closer to the fire, it's not often that a table of two will be given a table for four in places such as these (or really fancy places here at home for that matter), so we took it and later it didn't matter as the fire slowly died.
Between my one French class and The Brit's many, we did our best to navigate the menu and communicate with our server. It was quite funny when the best way she could explain a dish was to say "the baby of a sheep." I opted for the foie gras ravioli, which was originally a starter, but the server said would be fine as a main dish and The Brit had a steak with frites. The sauce for my ravioli seemed to be the same mushroom sauce that he was given for his fries, and it was yummy. We had salads to start... mine with goat cheese I think, but I can't recall exactly. The foie gras ravioli was nothing like anything I'd ever eaten. When in this area, of course you want to eat anything and everything foie gras! It was rich and the pasta , thin and delicate. While a tad salty, I couldn't say it was much of a bother. For dessert I had a fantastic creme brulee and The Brit a warm and gooey lava cake. We completely over indulged, but enjoyed every minute of it. Even polished off a bottle of wine with it all, but that's not uncommon for us, is it?
The final total, with conversion brought the meal to $125, which I think was around $99 euros. Typical for dining out fancy here at home, and very much worth it. The atmosphere is relaxed and romantic, but also a great place to celebrate, much like the table next to use celebrating a Birthday. If you find yourself here, go, whether you have a date, a Birthday or Anniversary to celebrate, or just for a fantastic meal.
