We mostly associate the word Guinguette with the riverside eating and dancing establishments of 1920's Paris, as seen by Renoir or Van Gogh.
But I recently noticed that a lakeside restaurant that we often frequent is now using the word for their establishment. I've never seen dancing there, but the rest of it fits the bill quite well.
It's a pretty rustic joint. Plastic tables and chairs, simple menu, cheap wine, and pretty waitresses who rush around trying to keep on top of everything. Dogs and small children play between the tables, and people come and go in a very relaxed fashion. Some just come to drink at the wooden-shack bar, and others (like us) come for a very good, and inexpensive, meal. The atmosphere is much as I imagine all modern-day Guinguettes to be.
We usually visit on Friday evenings, when Moules/Frites is de rigeur. But this week we went on a Thursday and ate Duck-n-Chips.
The restaurant is considerably bigger than my photo suggests, but it's all rather haphazard and not too photogenic. One thing I did notice was there were a lot of people smoking there. Something one now never sees back in Blighty.
I must say, I do prefer this type of dining rather than the more formal restaurants around.
I don't like formal restaurants at all, I just don't fit in at those places. We grew up often eating in front of the tv and fingers were used as much as forks a lot of the time. We were a sloppy lot then, but I do use knives and forks properly now.
ReplyDeleteWe're quite formal in this house. We always eat at table, and always with knives and forks. I was brought-up like that, and continue in the tradition. I always had two rules with my children, firstly that we always ate at table, and secondly that they always had a night time story.
DeleteI did that with my kids and we ate at the table even when their dad took his plate to eat by the TV because the news was on or the footy or anything else that meant he couldn't stay at the table. Night time stories fell away when they could read for themselves.
DeleteI like a relaxed way of eating. However, I have to admit to enjoying formal dining if there's a cocktail piano playing in the background.
ReplyDeleteI can hardly remember the last time I attended a really formal dinner. It must be over 50 years ago.
DeleteWith us, it was always at the table and with a knife and fork, and it is still the same today. If I see correctly there is a river or a lake near the restaurant then it is a perfect place.
ReplyDeleteIt's a small lake the size of about 2 Football pitches. Very tranquil and relaxing.
DeleteRelaxed with good food..you can't fault that
ReplyDeleteNo, it's lovely; and we had a very good old friend with us too.
DeleteSounds just like a family taverna here, children, dogs and smokers. No moules/fritters here though, or duck on the menu.
ReplyDeleteA nice place to relax, enjoy the atmosphere and the good food
Yes, it's exactly that. And it's a family run affair too.
DeleteI hate the stink of cigarette smoke when I am eating but at least you were outside so the stench could easily float away.
ReplyDeleteI didn't actually smell any, but just seeing them enough. I'm always surprised when I see people smoking.
Deletewith a view like that Cro everything would taste good.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely situation. Ducks on the lake, etc. All they need is some quiet accordion music, and it would be perfect.
DeleteDining outside with a lake view sounds lovely on a nice summer night. I never see people smoking in restaurants. It might be banned.
ReplyDeleteI suppose as this was all outdoors, smoking can't be regulated. It does look odd these days.
DeleteYou need a pleasant summer evening to enjoy alfresco dining, and a good view helps too.
ReplyDeleteI too, am of the generation where we always ate "formally" sitting at the dining table, knives forks, etc. No TV blaring in the background. Now I'm on my own I occasionally eat casually, but find eating at the table aids the digestion!
People seem to have money to burn these days and live off 'take-away pizzas' etc. I think they have less respect for what they eat, and will eat anywhere; generally in front of the dreaded TV. If you prepare everything yourself (as I do), eating is more respectful and needs to be given attention. This can only happen at table.
DeleteA nightime story..above...pray tell ..yours or from a book?
ReplyDeleteSometimes the classics (Blyton etc), and occasionally my own. Mostly I would read lesser known stories and change all the names for theirs. They loved that.
DeleteWe always came to table, which we children had set, and ate dinner as a family. There was plenty of conversation and often a story from our father after the meal.
ReplyDeleteSame as in our household. I think it's the best way, and many children now never experience it.
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