Saturday 23 July 2022

Birthday Boy.


Yesterday was my birthday; I am now 76.

As is my wont, I 'celebrated' the occasion with a visit to my favourite local restaurant. We don't bother with the menu, as we always have exactly the same things. A Kir as aperitif, Entrecote steak chips and salad, and a Lemon sorbet to finish. The wine was a local Pécharmant.

I'm running out of superlatives for this modest eatery. The Steak was probably the best ever; thick, tender, and delicious. The chips came in a rather unnecessary basket (a new idea), but were superb. And the salad was exactly what one wants from a salad. The sorbet simply refreshes.

The wine was excellent. Pécharmant is a local wine, and I've never had an indifferent one. This particular example had a slight smokiness about it. It was perfect.

The restaurant can be found in the small town of Villefranche du Périgord; it's called The Hotel du Commerce. If you were watching the Tour de France yesterday, you would have got some idea of the area and its superb architecture, etc. Natalie is a lovely hostess; just say Cro sent you.


 

62 comments:

  1. Well done and many happy returns.
    That does look a very nice steak, I'd tip the chips out.

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    1. 'Chips in a basket', totally unnecessary. It wasn't like that last year. But at least they were pukka home-made chips. The steak was superb, I wish I knew where they bought them.

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    2. Try asking or buy some raw ones from them to take home.

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    3. Being in a basket seems to ensure that they stay nice and crisp

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  2. And may you enjoy many more of those perfect birthday meals. Kronia polla

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    1. My oldest joins us in about a week's time, so I'm certain that many more steaks will be consumed; birthday or not!

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  3. Your birthday dinner looks perfect. Happy Birthday.

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    Replies
    1. It really couldn't have been better. Lovely.

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  4. Happy Birthday and that would be my perfect birthday meal too

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    1. A pity you didn't join us, it was wonderful.

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  5. And another Happy Birthday greeting from me! I think that meal looks pretty darn good. May you enjoy many more of those Cro.

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  6. Penblwydd Hapus to the Welsh in you!

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  7. Oh and most importantly Happy Birthday

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  8. Seconding veg artist... Penblwydd Hapus!!
    That looks a well chosen meal that you can eat and appreciate...much better than a "blowout"!

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    Replies
    1. Diolch. Yes, a perfect meal in every respect.

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  9. Sounds and looks scrummy. Did they also bring you a bon anniversaire cake with seventy six flaming candles in it? Belated birthday greetings Cro!

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    Replies
    1. No, no cake thank goodness. The sorbet was enough.

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  10. You keep some funny company here. Enjoy your next steak.

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  11. Happy Birthday Cro and I hope you will continue to entertain us all for many more years. Looks the perfect meal to me but I agree, the basket is quite unnecessary. One of these new-fangled cheffy things I suppose, like the one where they serve up a burger with a knife stabbed through the top of it!

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    Replies
    1. Good food should stand on its own feet; not need added flowers, foam, or even baskets.

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  12. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
    That steak looked wonderful, so glad you had a good birthday!
    Wishing you many, many more of them! X

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  13. Well, happy birthday old man. Your meal as described matches my imaginings of rural France. I'm sure you enjoyed it muchly.

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  14. Happy Birthday for yesterday. That meal looks perfect.

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    1. It was. Nothing exotic; but totally perfect.

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  15. Happy birthday Cro. x (That was a favourite of ours too once upon a time)

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    1. Natalie is still as nice as ever. There was a new waitress who made rather a mess of un-corking the wine, but she was young and had a weird opener. We forgave her!

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  16. Hapoy birthday. Your dinner sounds delicious.

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  17. Happy birthday, Cro. There's nothing like a favourite dinner to mark one's birthday. For some reason I can't stop thinking about your lemon sorbet. I love cold, creamy desserts.

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    Replies
    1. Lemon sorbet always seems the perfect way to end any meal.

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  18. Wishing you a happy belated birthday. The steak, chips and salad looks superb. All the best.

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  19. Happy birthday wishes to you Cro and many happy returns of the day. Your birthday dinner sounded perfect. XXXX

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  20. I can't believe I forgot that yesterday was your birthday. You share the day with my brother in law. To be fair, I almost forgot HIS birthday, too, and only remembered to have my husband text him at 10pm last night.

    HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! I hope it's been a good one. Your steak looks wonderful!

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  21. Happy Belated Birthday Cro! Your birthday dinner looks excellent. The basket with the chips is cute - unnecessary, but cute! I love steak fries (I mean 'chips')!

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  22. Happy birthday Cro and many happy returns. I am a semi vegetarian nowadays (I know, I know) but I would not say NO to that steak.
    Our youngest son and family are now near where you are. They left last night at ten and arrived at the campsite this morning at ten. The roads were not that busy and the spot looks idyllic

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  23. Happy Birthday! Cake with candles would have been a fire hazzard.

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  24. Happy Birthday!

    Wouldn't it be fun if next year all your regular blog buddies were at the restaurant as well.
    hehe

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  25. Your steak looks good. Coincidentally, we had the sirloin steak for lunch yesterday but ours was accompanied by vegetable mash, mushrooms and Brussels sprouts. Glad you had a good day. Nice to chat.

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  26. Happy Birthday Cro! Your celebratory fave meal looks pretty delicious to me, too!

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  27. I like the little basket; it washes and reuses. No land filling. Happy 76th.

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  28. Happy Birthday to you ! Pleased you enjoyed your birthday dinner...looks great !

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  29. Belated Happy Birthday Cro, and many more !

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