Decent lunch venue ?

[rossc]

Looking for inspiration for a decent lunch venue on the Friday to relieve the normal BBQ for every meal, have visions of a Chateau by a river with vast quantities of good food and wine with someone else driving back !

Any recommendations or am I dreaming ?

[Active75]

Try this in La Fleche, about 40 mins from Le Mans:

http://www.camilleconstantin.com/

[old'uns]

not quite a Chateau but terrace over the road from main building right next to Le Loir river

good enough for Michelin guide, good enough for me, booking essential though as with most good restaurants

http://restaurant.michelin.fr/restaurant/france/72...

[jonby]

You want to go to Chartre Sur Le Loir - the vintage racing teams used to base themselves at the hotel in the centre, now the square is closed to Astons only on the Friday but lots of other interesting stuff parks in the side streets - great place to eat and have a few beers away from the mayhem of the circuit but still with lots of interesting metal & people

About half an hour (great) drive from the circuit

It's part of my Le Mans ritual now....

[rossc]

Thanks all

Normally go to Chatre Sur le Loir on the Friday, agree its great around the square with the AM owners club there and a fantastic drive, was thinking of something different this year with a slap up meal.

First two suggestions look great, will put it to the group vote !

Thanks again

[lowdrag]

As a local I'd ask how far you are prepared to drive and how much you are prepared to pay. At 5 minutes from the Mulsanne straight you'll get the best meal you have ever eaten for 20€ at the Auberge des Blés d'Or at Ruaudin. If you want to eat on a terrace with fine views it's a longish drive to Saumur but the Prieuré at Chenehutte takes a lot of beating. I use both. Another , just like the Auberge aforementioned, that you would drive by without a second glance is the Panier Fleuri north of Le Mans at Sceaux. Worth stopping though. Close to the circuit the Belinois at Moncé en Belin is a thought. I could go on, but for me the Auberge des Blés d'Or takes the cake for quality/price, but you will be eating inside although air-conditioned if hot.

ETA I adore the Hotel de France (was there last Sunday) but it is so well known that getting a table outside on the terrace is unlikely. Lots of Brits and banter but the restaurant is also very good. You may have trouble parking though.

Edited by lowdrag on Friday 26th April 13:19

[djone101]

We'll be at the Hotel de France with the AMOC for lunch - what time does everyone arrive? I wanted to do a bit of the pit walk before - would that work out?

[rlw]

For a real proper French lunch you need to go to Chinon where there are two or three fabulous old style restaurants still going. Sadly, the very best one closed a couple of years ago - but is now open again under new ownership - the previous owners retired - see below.

Try L'Oceanic, Au Chapeau Rouge, Les Annees 30, or this one - Le Plaisir Gourmand - which has taken the name of the old one and remains in the same setting which is essentially a cave. This was our favourite and seems to be getting great reviews now.

[jonby]

djone101 said:

We'll be at the Hotel de France with the AMOC for lunch - what time does everyone arrive? I wanted to do a bit of the pit walk before - would that work out?

IIRC, it's 12.30/1ish normally and we have combined it with a pit walk in the morning before now

AMOC normally use the back room and outdoor courtyard and whilst I agree a table outside is difficult, it's not impossible though a table inside is far easier. I concur with the poster above - main restaurant is excellent. The AMOC do is lots of canapés - I've done both and they each have pros & cons

[artherdaily]

jonby said:

You want to go to Chartre Sur Le Loir - the vintage racing teams used to base themselves at the hotel in the centre, now the square is closed to Astons only on the Friday but lots of other interesting stuff parks in the side streets - great place to eat and have a few beers away from the mayhem of the circuit but still with lots of interesting metal & people

About half an hour (great) drive from the circuit

It's part of my Le Mans ritual now....

apparently its getting quite difficult to get in to the main area as its a ticket only event now with lunch and champers
but i will be going down for a look around
pit walk normally starts about 10 and its a mad rush into the pit lane and crowded
AMOC at the hotel is midday ish for lunch
but the pits are normally open on the wednesday aswell which is a much better day to go have a look

[turbo-ww]

lowdrag said:

As a local I'd ask how far you are prepared to drive and how much you are prepared to pay. At 5 minutes from the Mulsanne straight you'll get the best meal you have ever eaten for 20€ at the Auberge des Blés d'Or at Ruaudin. If you want to eat on a terrace with fine views it's a longish drive to Saumur but the Prieuré at Chenehutte takes a lot of beating. I use both. Another , just like the Auberge aforementioned, that you would drive by without a second glance is the Panier Fleuri north of Le Mans at Sceaux. Worth stopping though. Close to the circuit the Belinois at Moncé en Belin is a thought. I could go on, but for me the Auberge des Blés d'Or takes the cake for quality/price, but you will be eating inside although air-conditioned if hot.

ETA I adore the Hotel de France (was there last Sunday) but it is so well known that getting a table outside on the terrace is unlikely. Lots of Brits and banter but the restaurant is also very good. You may have trouble parking though.

Edited by lowdrag on Friday 26th April 13:19

Hi LD,


Auberge des Blés d'Or sounds like a sepaarate plan. Is it a stupid question to ask if they understand the word Vegetarian?

Thanks, Martyn

[lowdrag]

Well, vegetarianism covers a number of avenues these days, from non meat eaters to vegetables only to vegan. The last you won't get, but if you can explain no fish or meat they are a charming couple and surely will knock something up. As a devout eat-anythinger, the last time I went there for dinner I had prawns in filou pastry, civet of lobster, and a lovely collection of raspberry desserts all for a severe £27. Plus the usual things to whet the appetite too. Wine list isn't gourmet but good. We had IIRC a premier cru Burgundy for £65

Vegetarianism isn't really understood here in France excpept perhaps Paris, but they are starting to catch on and will always try to help out.

[turbo-ww]

lowdrag said:

Well, vegetarianism covers a number of avenues these days, from non meat eaters to vegetables only to vegan. The last you won't get, but if you can explain no fish or meat they are a charming couple and surely will knock something up. As a devout eat-anythinger, the last time I went there for dinner I had prawns in filou pastry, civet of lobster, and a lovely collection of raspberry desserts all for a severe £27. Plus the usual things to whet the appetite too. Wine list isn't gourmet but good. We had IIRC a premier cru Burgundy for £65

Vegetarianism isn't really understood here in France excpept perhaps Paris, but they are starting to catch on and will always try to help out.

Thanks Tony, I'm from your 'eat-anything' school but partner is of the veggie persuasion. We were in a restaurant further south in France where the waiter actually laughed when asked about a veggie option.

[FredericRobinson]

Lowdrag, the place in Ruaudin, looks quite smart on a google search, would shorts & t shirts be frowned on at lunchtime?

[lowdrag]

Personally I prefer my little black number, but since you are a foreigner they'll not turn you away in shorts and t-shirt

In France smart casual is the highest level of dining gear, and in summer I too have put aside the above and worn the t-shirt.

[FredericRobinson]

Ta, did feel a bit out of place among the smartly dressed locals in the Auberge des 7 Plats the other year, food was excellent though

[turbo-ww]

FredericRobinson said:

Lowdrag, the place in Ruaudin, looks quite smart on a google search, would shorts & t shirts be frowned on at lunchtime?

Sir, shorts and t-shirts are for circuit dining, have a little class and find a pair of trousers and a shirt please. For England. (or wherever actually)

Edited by turbo-ww on Tuesday 30th April 23:59

[Skywalker]

Rossc,
If you fancy a trip out, about an hour west, try:

http://www.restaurantlaforge.fr/

a decent drive across, and a stunning meal.

[rossc]

Thanks all, much appreciated.

Tempted to extend the trip and have a gourmet tour now !!