La Gavotine - Réserver une table

There are a couple of positives – we liked the garden and to be able to sit outside in Normandy is always a bonus. The home smoked salmon was tasty. But: Many items on the menu were not available – we were warned about the magret de canard and foie gras but that took a lot of choice from the menu. On ordering we found the poitrine de porc was also not available. As a non meat eater I accept my choices in French restaurants are limited but this is made worse when the starters and main courses are virtually the same. So after a smoked salmon starter I chose a salad terre et mer because the meat parts were not available and I asked if I could have extra langoustines instead. Not sure if I did but what I got was 4 langoustines and some more smoked salmon on a huge pile of virtually undressed lettuce (all the same type of tasteless green leaves) and a ¼ tomato. No lemon. Nothing else. And then to finish off my disappointment the langoustines tasted sandy. Very unpleasant and I only ate the salmon. When the waitress (possibly the owner) came to collect our plates she saw my mostly uneaten dish, took a small intake of breath and said nothing. I am sure I am not the only person to have not eaten this salad. For the meat eaters their meat was tasty, served with chips and a tiny bit of salad but the filet mignon portion was very small. But no sauces and no garnishes on the plates of any sort. Likewise the amount of bread we were given was tiny. Yet the pictures on their website show far more interesting dishes with well garnished salads. We didn’t bother with desserts and still ended up paying €127 for 4 starters, 4 mains, house wine and an aperitif each. At best I could say passable peasant food but at fine dining prices. We won’t be returning.

• Utile
• Pas utile
• Répondre

Unpretentious little restaurant in a tiny village. Patio at the entrance must be pleasant in summer and indoors there are two small rooms in functional bistro style. The pleasant lady at front-of house speaks english and is helpful. Surprisingly comprehensive menu features a range of wholesome dishes, with some specials on offer too. After a busy, and lunchless, day, we were pretty hungry when we visited so felt quite able to manage three courses. Starter of very runny egg cocotte had the bonus of plenty of lardons but not much in the way of egg yolk; a small hard yellow blob in mine and none sighted at all in Mrs EPR's. My main course of pork fillet and bacon in a runny blue cheese sauce was ok, although Mrs EPR's monster -sized ham hock on a very large bone was rather stringier than expected. However, we did like the skin-on fries that came too. We shared a crème -brulee to finish. Well-glazed on top but, guess what, runny underneath. I detected a slight pattern here. House wine came from a supermarket-type box under the counter behind the bar. It wasn't very good. Subsequent bill was out by over 50% so fairly easy to spot and get corrected. Only a few tables occupied when we visited on a midweek night, although I'm told that often reservations are declined because it gets so busy. Non-dedicated off-road parking available nearby.

• Utile
• Pas utile
• Répondre

We had a wonderful meal for adults and teenagers on a Wednesday evening, and had the last two ham hocks from the rotisserie, among other dishes (steak, salads, pork fillet in camembert sauce). Our desserts were also gorgeous, including the best creme brulée, and coupes of mandarin sorbet with mandarin liqueur, and, of course for the region, of apple sorbet with calvados (Coupe Normand). Wine was good, and cider, another regional speciality of course. A lovely find.

• Utile
• Pas utile
• Répondre

Petit resto pittoresque dans petit village sympa. On reste quand même sur sa faim quant à l'accueil un rien pincé, ça manque de chaleur. On a l'impression d'un certain laissé aller. Il est vrai que le temps n'était pas au beau fixe mais plutôt frisquet pour la saison, embiance contagieuse?. Autrement repas correct sans plus. Pas un très bon souvenir. Dommage.

• Utile
• Pas utile
• Répondre

We arrived hungry after a long day of travel and were rewarded with large plates of delicious local produce, served quickly despite the restaurant being almost full. Lovely evening.

• Utile
• Pas utile
• Répondre