La Charette Bleue

OK, so I just can't resist the chance to go out and eat. It's Sue and Graham's last night - so they're off to the Charette Bleue. I'd originally said no ... but with a little nudge my resolve crumbled.

Not that I have to go far - this restaurant is literally 50 metres away from Le Colombier. So no worrying about who has to drive.

It's great food. When Martin is around (to follow the Tour de France - another story) he has a standing (or should that be sitting?) reservation.

.....

a little later

so what did I choose? I went for the 24 euro menu (so sharing a bottle of wine between three of us my bill came to 30 euros). Graham went for the garlic mussels (think snails in garlic butter, but substitute small shelled mussels, and serve like the snails in those little dishes with 6 to 8 holes and you get the picture ... great way to get your fix of garlic butter; you could also substitute mushrooms and get the same effect). But I resisted as I wanted to try a new starter of warm poached pears served with soft fresh goats cheese, lightly grilled to warm through and just slightly brown, served on the mandatory mixed leaves, and a drizzle of rich balsamic vinegar reduction. Really good!

As I was trying to stick to the lowest price menu I skipped over the fillet of venison (like steak, you have to decide whether you want it saignant, a point or bien cuit) - served with chestnuts and a thick pumpkin puree. I also said no to the lamb, the cod, the tajine of monkfish and prawns ... and happily tucked into a roasted stuffed supreme (fillet) of guinea fowl served with quince crisps and on a bed of lightly stir fried savoy cabbage and bacon bits. (On the cheapest menu yes, but I didn't feel at all deprived).

And then time for cheese; local goats cheeses, reblochon, munster, a blue cheese. Well, we had to finish off the bottle of 2004 domaine de moulin Vinsobres..

Still on the pear theme, I had an amazingly tender poached pear in its individual almond sponge dessert, served with pear ice-cream in a little brandy snap basket.

It'll be soup for the rest of the week.