Two of the things that most of us look forward to on holiday are absorbing beach sunshine, and eating out.
Lying around, doing nothing in the sunshine is simply a question of choosing the right destination. Finding somewhere nice to eat out in the evenings is another matter altogether.
Good restaurants are becoming rarer by the day. In tourist destinations they are almost non-existent. The restaurant business has totally changed over the past few years, and most of what you are now offered is delivered to the kitchens in chilled 'bags', or frozen. You would be amazed by how many dishes are now dropped into a 'Hot Water Bath' for 10 minutes, or re-heated in a microwave, and presented as home made. Most of which is on offer these days is designed for the quick tourist trade.
The area where I live in France was always regarded as one of the great gastronomic areas of the world, and we ate like kings for very little during our first few decades living there. Superb restaurants were everywhere. However, over the past two decades things have totally changed.
I just googled it and see it is temporarily closed. Hopefully, it opens in summer for you
ReplyDeleteThere's no trade through Winter. I think they re-open in June. It's basically a farm.
DeleteThere is still a lot of great food in France, we have had a wonderful two weeks here.
ReplyDeleteIt's not as great as it used to be; I can assure you.
DeleteDuck is one of my favourite treats. I suspect that here too it is Boil in the Bag.
ReplyDeleteReal home-made Confit is absolutely wonderful; I can remember the very first time I ate it, at my next door neighbour's. I could hardly believe how good it was.
DeleteTwo friends locally run guided tours of the region using two 1950s Traction Avants.... they include lunch in their fee....
ReplyDeleteSusan, like you, wants authentic French food for their clients and have a series of lunchtime "halts"... but, they are changing hands and becoming exactly what you describe above... Susan calls them "boil-in-the-bag eateries"
many of them have lots of white vans parked outside, because the French do do lunch, even the tradesmen.
When they started the business however, the sight of a troop of white vans outside a restaurant at lunchtime were a sure sign that the venue sold good, traditional and local, genuinely home-cooked food.... but no more... and most of the real ones that are left are either far more costly [especially if close to any of the chateaux] or a "ferme auberge" selling their harvest directly to the customer like yours, above.
It's such a shame. French chefs used to take real pride in their craft, but that has mostly given way to ease of production. This doesn't always mean that what they serve is inferior; it simply isn't home-made and continuing that tradition of craftsmanship. The restaurant above is now literally the only one around that continues that tradition.
DeleteIf I say, "Cro sent you" they will probably bring out anchovies on toast with a wedge of Trappe d'Echourgnac cheese.
ReplyDeleteThey'll probably send you off with a flea in your ear!
DeleteHeaven! A five course meal for 25 euros is a damn good price. And you know the meal will be superb.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately our tavernas are changing too. There are only 2 that I can think of that have authentic Greek food, freshly cooked, and a good price. Any sort of meal has gone up from 15 euros to 20 this year. Most are around 25
Yes, the food is excellent, and the price very attractive. Such places used to be common; sadly no longer!
DeleteOh goodness...the food looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteRestaurants here in the States are dropping like flies. The economy is making things SO hard to stay in business.
hugs
Donna
I rather wish that some of the French ones would close, there are too many bad ones!
DeleteHad so many great meals at that place - everything was delicious!
ReplyDeleteWe've never had a bad meal there. It must have been your closest restaurant!
DeleteHow true that is about the falling standard of eating out. It seems to be the same wherever you go these days. There no longer seems to be any pride in serving up mouth-watering, locally sourced food. It's especially noticeable in tourist areas of course, a case of serve them up any old rubbish and charge them the earth! Friends and I have eaten in some restaurants where we've been forced to complain and point out that we are residents and not tourists! All the decent places we once knew seem to have disappeared.
ReplyDeleteIt's all very sad. There are good places, of course, but they often charge a fortune. This restaurant is still sensibly priced.
DeleteYour best alternative is try everything on the menu there. For now. When you have an opening on your posts schedule . Tell us where you eat in the summer .
ReplyDeleteThere's one other local restaurant that we frequent, but it recently changed hands and the standards have really gone downhill. So annoying.
DeleteEven our local restaurants are not the same. All seem to be focused on their profit. Ingredients change all the time and not for the better. A friend is talking about a farm-to-table restaurant and I have to try this soon.
ReplyDelete'Farm to table' is the way to go, as long as they're not too pretentious. Be honest and keep prices reasonable!
Deletehttps://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantsNear-g1497922-d6677142-Ferme_Auberge_de_la_Serpt-Frayssinet_le_Gelat_Lot_Occitanie.html
ReplyDeleteA LIST OF RESTAURANTS NEAR THERE
I know ALL the nearby restaurants, and although some are OK, none of them is 'memorable'.
DeleteThat duck looks lovely
ReplyDeleteConfit is one of my favourite things. Home-made Confit is heaven.
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