Dinner here was a strange, wonderful, and terrible experience - at once an episode of Fawlty Towers…read moreand a religious gastronomic experience. Bottom line: service so awful it was difficult to focus on food so wonderful. The evening began with our greeting at the door by Chef and Mrs. Chef (a status we infer primarily by the bickering between the two). After being seated, we waited to be offered a cocktail or wine ... And waited ... And waited. During this time, we watched Mrs. Chef stagger across the room -- she had started her consumption early - to seat a few other guests. Others who had arrived after we did were offered cocktails and given menus. And given different amuses-bouches. Finally, we snagged a passing server who brought menus and the wine list. Then we ordered a bottle of Chablis, a grand cru 2006. Mrs. Chef returned to let me know that they were out of 1er cru (which I had not ordered), but they had a nice 2007 grand cru. Fine, done. Lovely wine, very fairly priced. Food begins to arrive, after significant and seemingly random delays. But oh, what food! Beautifully, and perfectly sautéed grenouilles - a specialty of the restaurant, dripping with garlic and butter and absolutely delicious. Lamb roast with a gorgeous Duxelles-like sauce, perfectly done. And then the cheese cart. The two waitresses confess that Mrs. Chef usually does the cheese, but she is indisposed (little question why) and they don't know which cheese is which. After some guessing, cheese is chosen from a large selection - and wonderful. Finally, a dessert straight from heaven - a citrus tower to raise the dead. And we were out the door for under 190 Euros, perhaps one of the best values. In summary, after ten minutes in this restaurant, we were ready to walk out. I was glad I stayed. It has a raft of regulars who seem to know Chef and Mrs. Chef and who tolerate what is generally very unprofessional and erratic service. The food is worth a try. If Mr. And Mrs. Chef were smart, they would hire somebody to run the front-of-house for them and Chef would return to the kitchen, where he obviously has some skills, instead of spending his time hobnobbing with the guests.
