I have been very remiss recently with blogging and I put this entirely down to work, as since the 19th February I have been working my socks off, including a two week tour of England. To make up for this, I will review one local restaurant that we were taken to just before I went away and tell you about three gems in England as well.
We were taken out to dinner at Le Ranch at Boce in February - this is an old favourite of ours. It is to be found just off the road from Bauge to Le Guedenieu and has good car parking. They have live music there from time to time and there is also a pool table as well as a separate restaurant. It is open at lunchtime all through the week with a menu at 9.70 Euros and from Wednesday to Saturday evening as well. The evening menu is more expensive but is also more extensive. I would recommend the lamb chops and the chips are very good too, the moelleux au chocolat is more like a brownie but gives the required chocolate hit. Wines are good and the pichets of house wine good value. It won't set the world on fire in cullinary terms but is good value and better quality cooking than many classier joints in bigger places.
In the UK, I have to recommend the following fine pubs with rooms or pubs with ambitions to be proper hotels:
The Loco at Haxey in North Lincolnshire - very nice rooms with excellent and free WIFI, and a brilliant Indian menu. The naan breads are made on site and are huge and delicious (I've never managed more than three fifths of one), and the rather unexcitingly described Mixed Special is wonderful.
Bants at Upton Snodsbury in Worcestershire - lovely rooms, brilliant breakfasts, delicious dinners, a fabulous atmosphere, fires in winter, free WIFI, a good selection of wine by the glass - this is my home from home when I am in the UK.
The Poachers Inn at Piddletrenthide in Dorset - I've only been there once so far (the other two have been tested extensively) but I was extremely impressed. The room I had was divine, with the most amazing bathroom and conservatory, the house white was crisp and delicious and the food well prepared and generous. I am still in awe of the beurre blanc sauce with lemon and dill which was exquisitely balanced.
I am still inundated with work, but hope to resume normal service towards the end of next week. There is all sorts of Spring news to share after all!
I want to go to Piddletrenthide - what a wonderful name!! Oh - the food sounds good too!!
Posted by: Anne Donald | 19 March 2010 at 07:48 PM