Dining Experiences

While visiting the Loire Valley we suggest you should have the 'French restaurant' experience at least once --or more if your budget can stand it! Here in Southern Touraine you are spoilt for choice with many village restaurants offering lunches for under 15 euros.

Barrou has its own restaurant, Les Tilleuls serving 12 euro lunches, dinner and a pizza

carryout service.

Neaby Le Grand Pressigny boasts three good restaurants with lunchtime and evening menus to suit most pockets. Both offer opportunities for alfresco dinning on their respective terraces. 'Chez Grand Ma' ( pictured above ) which has inside and outside eating areas and lunchtime and evening menus to suit most pockets. They are only a 10 minutes drive from the house.

La Savoie Villars went through a major refit in April 2013  and now offers good quality food in very pleasant surroundings.

'Chez L' (below) the bistro in the town offers pizzas to take away or enjoy on the premises, They also offer a menu that includes hamburgers specially prepared in-house.

Check out some other local restaurants, of which there are many, here...

If you are celebrating something special and want a dining experience then you can dine at the 'Mitchelin Star' “La Promenade” in the nearby village of Le Petit Pressigny.

An unforgettable experience.

Check out this blog post...

https://jimsloire.blogspot.fr/2016/03/brilliant-meal-at-jacky-dallais-la.html

Booking is necessary here :

11 Rue Savoureulx, Le Petit Pressigny‎. Tel: 02.47.94.93.52‎
 

Don't be put off with the idea of snails, frog's legs or tete de veau, all of which we feel you should try at least once, well perhaps not the tete de veau!

There are so many dishes to get your taste-buds excited that even with the debate as to whether French cooking is still the best in the world or not, you will, for the most part, be delighted.

Some tips:

Where?

Your choice of restaurant will of course depend on where you are visiting. If you have decided on a major tourist destination, Tours for example, then do not expect every restaurant to be a gastronomic experience -- you'll be disappointed! Seek out a restaurant aimed at French customers -- lack of English translation on the menu is normally a good clue. That said, we have eaten in many of the establishments aimed at tourists and been perfectly happy with the service and food. If you have kids you  are more likely to find something to keep them happy in the larger towns -- though try and get them to try something different -- it will enhance their holiday experience, ("that'll work", we here you say!)

If your holiday choice is a rural gite or village house then you should find that there are restaurants serving the local community -- many villages, like Le Grand Pressigny, have their own restaurant though you will have to drive to them if you have chosen a rural gite for your holiday. Many of these restaurants serve very good lunches daily, though many are closed on Monday -- normally from a fixed menu and/or buffet. Evening meals can be less predictable depending on where you are and how much they are supported by locals and tourists alike. It is best not to assume they will be open every evening - so check first and always book ahead, even though you may end up dining alone if off- season or in a more remote destination. Again if you have kids more and more villages are being visited one night per week by the enterprising 'travelling pizza-man' and (sadly perhaps) the golden arch of Macdonald's has found its way into the larger towns,.

When?

It is always cheaper to eat at lunchtime (12.00/2.30) and if you find a quality restaurant this could be the time to try it. Even for standard restaurants midweek is  best as they can sometimes increase their prices at the weekends. Always book evening meals where you can and don't expect to be served before 7.30 pm. Weekend lunchtimes are also best booked in advance.

What to choose?

You do not have to take the 'à la carte' option as most of what's on it will normally be found on the fixed price ( prix fixe) menu. In large towns or cities you will normally be shown the 'menu touristique' but again you are not obliged to take it. Although these can sometimes be good value for money you will not come away with a feeling of having had a gastronomic experience! Most restaurants have English translations but those that don't are happy to talk you through the menu --remember be adventurous.

Which wine?

This is very much a personal choice but in many restaurants this will be where a large part of their profit is generated. Don't be surprised to see familiar wines on the menu with a very inflated prices. Choice can be very much dependant  on your budget but opting for a  carafe of house red or white wine is normally a good option. If buying a bottle why not take the opportunity to try one from the region you are visiting. Many village restaurants offer a free wine (Barrou and Mairie do) with their excellent value lunchtime menus.

Where, when and whatever you eat and drink we wish you

'Bon Appétit'

Some previous guests comments

on dining in and around Le Grand Pressigny:

Restaurants - too many to choose but we thought the best in the village - 'Auberge Savoie Villars', not as reasonable as many but quality and lovely courtyard. Nearby, a must is 'Auberge du Vieux Port' in Maire - 5 courses for €11.00 including wine- madness!! Quirky place but a great visit.

Stewart & Heather Goulden,

Swansea,UK

We ate ate twice at the local eateries and enjoyed both.

Geof & Marg Williams, Phil & Pam Alexander and Mike & Elaine Irwin.

Mansfield, Australia.

We have pottered about in the locality enjoying just 'being' in France and dined at the Auberge in the village (lunchtime fixed meal sitting in the lovely courtyard) and 3 times at 'Chez Grandma's'! Villagers so welcoming'

Bill, Barbara, Louisa & Emily Taylor, Winchester,UK

We have dined fabulously at 'Grand Ma's' (snails!) and at 'La Promenade' where we had an exquisite birthday meal.

Catherine & Paul Bevilaqua, Geraldine & Marcus Elgin, Melbourne, Australia

Great dining at 'Le Promenade', Grand Ma's in the village and in La Roche Posay.

Eric and Linda Weston, Tennessee, USA

The village was welcoming and relaxing - great food at 'Grand Ma's' and 'La Promenade'.

Chris and Lisa Fulton, CA, USA

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