Dining in France

@JudyEv (339591)
Rockingham, Australia
July 26, 2023 8:58pm CST
When we toured France in our motor-home, we stayed in Availles-Limouzine for a few days and chanced upon a marvellous little restaurant. It didn’t appear to be a huge town but the restaurant was everything we imagined a French restaurant would be – only more so. When we arrived, a young waiter took our coats and ushered us to our seats. The table was beautifully set and while we were reading the menu and trying to make sense of it, the dish you see in the image was brought out. We were a bit embarrassed as we hadn’t ordered anything at that stage but the lovely maitre d’ (who happened to be a lady) explained that it was free. I can’t remember exactly what we were served but on the left is a quail egg, then an avocado ‘mash’ topped with something fancy and served on a little pancake affair and shavings of some sort of meat on the right. We had a two-course meal then, before they brought the account, we were given tiny morsels of sweets. These too were free. Needless to say, we went back again while we were in the town.
23 people like this
24 responses
@rebelann (112780)
• El Paso, Texas
27 Jul 23
OH darn, your photo skipped out on the discussion. I suppose that's probably good for me because some of what you were served sounds really good and seeing a photo would give me cravings.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 23
That's twice I've had to add the photo a second time. I always get hungry when I see nice food photos.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 23
@rebelann It looks a bit like beef to me but I couldn't say for sure. They used all ingredients from the region too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 23
@rebelann Anna knows what it is. I thought she probably would.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471355)
• Switzerland
27 Jul 23
That meat is called "Bresaola" in Italy and simply "Viande Sechée" in France. It is an air-dried, salted beef that has been aged two or three months until it becomes hard and turns dark red, served sliced paper-thin and at room temperature.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 23
Thanks for that, Anna. It was certainly paper-thin.
2 people like this
@rebelann (112780)
• El Paso, Texas
27 Jul 23
You always find out what things are @LadyDuck From your description it reminds me of beef jerky only those are never paper thin which they probably should be.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471355)
• Switzerland
27 Jul 23
@JudyEv It's only good if it is paper-thin.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
27 Jul 23
It sounds delicious. I'm glad you two enjoyed the food/restaurant enough to go back again.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 23
We went back some years later and they were still giving free tiny delicacies before and after.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
27 Jul 23
@JudyEv Oh, wow! I'm glad they were still in business.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 23
@DaddyEvil It was very popular both times. I often wondered if all smaller towns had such wonderful eating places.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (105977)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Jul 23
No photo but it sounds like a wonderful place
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (105977)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Jul 23
@JudyEv I do that too
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 23
Twice now I've had to add the photo a second time. I need to get into the habit of checking that the photo loads.
2 people like this
@Ronrybs (19186)
• London, England
27 Jul 23
Last time I was in France, I had an omelette and chips in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and very nice it was too
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 23
And we bought two tiny cakes once and came away with them individually wrapped in a cardboard carrier complete with ribbon and a bow!!! We were blown away and could hardly bear to undo it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
@Ronrybs The food was amazing but I could just have easily lived on bread and butter in France. Especially the baguettes.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (19186)
• London, England
28 Jul 23
@JudyEv Ah yes! Near Gare du Nord I had a wonderful apricot pastry with coffee
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
27 Jul 23
It’s always nice to receive free food.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 23
We weren't used to it. And the waiter used a crumb brush and pan between courses. Very swish!
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
28 Jul 23
@JudyEv That was neat. I don’t see them doing that here.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46925)
• India
27 Jul 23
Quite a fine dining and exquisite looking products! Was this event of a few years back?
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46925)
• India
28 Jul 23
@JudyEv Quite nice memories! So what and where to is your next planned trip?
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46925)
• India
29 Jul 23
@JudyEv Yes that's very true. So you would stick more to the urban areas or the countryside?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul 23
Yes it was. We were there with friends the first time then in 2015 the second time.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136100)
• India
28 Jul 23
Could it be that it was a newly established set up? - just saying
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
The restaurant had been going a couple of years at least. I think it was just the way they did things.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121548)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 Jul 23
The food in your photo looks absolutely delicious. I can only imagine how good the main course was!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
We were blown away. It simply wasn't something we were used to. We were just glad we didn't go in our jeans! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121548)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 Jul 23
@JudyEv Was it a fancy restaurant that you had to dress up for?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jul 23
@moffittjc Not really but being our age, we'd never be too casual going somewhere we didn't know.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
28 Jul 23
It sounds like you had an enjoyable meal. I'm glad the service was more than you expected.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
29 Jul 23
@JudyEv I agree. It's good to have great service.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
It's nice to have such service occasionally. No wonder they call it 'fine dining'.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178131)
• United States
27 Jul 23
Interesting. The only time we had been away from our shores was when we went to Bermuda. Enjoy your day. (We've also visited Mexico and Canada on our continent.)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jul 23
@LindaOHio Thanks. That's really nice of you.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
Anywhere is a long way from Australia.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178131)
• United States
29 Jul 23
@JudyEv Wishing you a VERY Happy Birthday!!!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35574)
29 Jul 23
Small portion sizes. Hope they had dessert, lol.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
This was before we even started our meal. We had these then two/three courses and then the tiny sweet things to finish with.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Aug 23
@dgobucks226 We were very impressed by it all.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35574)
3 Aug 23
@JudyEv Ah, now that sounds like a typical French meal, lol.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Aug 23
The food would be a great reason to visit France. I would love all of these delicacies.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Aug 23
The bread there was the best I've ever tasted and the delicatessen counter was about 20 yards long with a whole array of different terrines, pates, cold meats,etc.
@thebos (5960)
• Kisumu, Kenya
27 Jul 23
Sounds delicious indeed, do french fries originate from France
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
I don't know about French fries. Possibly they were.
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@thebos (5960)
• Kisumu, Kenya
29 Jul 23
@JudyEv Maybe, how is your day
1 person likes this
• China
27 Jul 23
The dishes look delicious and ingredients go well together !
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
All the foods were sourced locally where possible so that was a nice touch too.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89863)
• Arvada, Colorado
27 Jul 23
Oh how posh Judy.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
It was very posh indeed. we were pleased we'd dressed up a little and didn't just wear our jeans.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79714)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Jul 23
It all looks very good, Sort of like food art,
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
That's a good way to describe it - food art.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39268)
• Gouverneur, New York
27 Jul 23
It sounds like a wonderful experience. You have the most delightful trips.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
We have certainly had some lovely trips and lots of memorable experiences.
1 person likes this
27 Jul 23
The food looks awesome. I have never gone to France. I wish to go one day
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
I think that France is one country that I would be happy to live in.
27 Jul 23
It's wonderful that you enjoyed the experience so much that you returned to the restaurant during your time in the town.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339591)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 23
I suppose in fairness there weren't a lot of restaurants to choose from but we were very happy with this one.