A group of friends over here in Najac have decided to make a regular sortie for lunch at different restaurants and agreed to keep a record....after the next one we will include marks out of ten. Anyway, thought you might like to include this in your blog under the restaurant section?
Hope all is well,
Best,
Sue Cutter
Val says great idea, we look forward to the next as well.
Val says great idea, we look forward to the next as well.
Friday 13th. A dangerous date for some, but for the band of happy pensioners, recently branded 'les seniors plus', who met in an ancient small town in the department of the Lot, today was a good day, a day for reaffirming old friendships over a convivial lunch.
The restaurant, Arts et Galets, in Villeneuve was chosen for the first of, what we hope will be, a regular outing to sample the best cuisine the region has to offer. A large, partially ivy-clad stone building under a terra-cotta roof, typical of the region, it's interior has been updated in a cool, contemporary style. After a warm welcome and the offer of an appero we were seated on comfortable chairs (not common, with the norm being cane seats notoriously unkind to aging behinds).
We all chose the menu du jour - and what a delight! We ordered a light white gascony and a red corbière mas 66. A first course of gambas with courgette marinated in a lemon mixture, slices of banana and an orange sauce with fresh bread rolls. The Main course was cod on a bed of spinach and/ or sorrel with an asparagus mousse, a piquant jus with petits pois and haricots, some little savoury beignets and a home- made pesto. Dessert was stunning - slices of fresh pineapple, shards of pear, apple balls, strawberry quarters, a crouistillante, red fruit coulis, little scoops of apple, apricot and fromage blanc ice cream and stars of pistachio cream; quite lovely to look at and divine to taste. All the courses were beautifully presented and explained, plates were warm, service prompt. Top marks I think and may be hard to beat. Our hostess was a bit stern and difficult to engage and the young waitress lacked a little finesse, but, hey, nothing to upset and for around 23 euros a head, including the wine and coffee, was excellent value.
Above all, it was such a good decision (made last weekend whilst sampling a delicious cream tea at Terry Tippett's Parisot nursery) to make a regular date to meet for lunch in different restaurants every week or two. The question now is - where next?
Sue Cutter
Val says sounds great, a TOF report gives marks out of 5
