The maximum temperature here today is 23⁰C, minimum 12⁰C. Dry. Wind 21km/h icy North-Easterly winds with gusts up to 50 km/h!
We decided to celebrate on Saturday with an evening meal! Due to the French COVID restrictions over the last 16 or so months, I cannot remember the last time we went out for anything other than outdoor lunches (and those only when the restaurants recently reopened, that is!). We returned to L'intemporel in La Rochefoucauld, as we so enjoyed the last visit there (see the previous post), We picked the 5 course tasting menu, so it was all rather exotic cuisine and very different from our normal meals out.
Sitting relaxed at the table looking at the fabulous view of La Rochefoucauld chateau....
and the Tardoire river, which flows under the 15th-century stone bridge (see the last post).
This is the menu that we chose.
The amuse-bouches, a delightful choice....
followed by yet another amuse-bouche of ham on creamed pea, with a piece of pea stem and grated black truffle for decoration.
First course - Seared foie gras, Thai juice, shitakes and Nori seaweed.
Second course - Tuna with tartare of strawberry and fennel, very unusual, and wow it hit the taste buds.
Third and main course - local French beef, creamed carrots, sliced vegetables with peppered meat gravy. Cooked to perfection (very rare or "bleu" in French) and it melted in the mouth!
Spoiling ourselves after 40 years with a bottle of champagne. Because of driving home afterwards, they were kind enough to give us a cork to enjoy the rest back home!
Cheers!!
Fourth course - Sorry, I slipped up here with the cheese course and had a couple of mouthfuls before I remembered the camera! This of course was served with French bread, which we had on the table for every course - we wiped our plates clean!
Last, but not least, was dessert, described as douceur de cerise au chocolat and a special slice of orange cake in a separate dish with a candle because it was our anniversary. They discovered this because we asked for the photo. Such a lovely thought and obviously a last-minute idea of theirs!
Finally, as the evening light faded and the lights came on - here we are in the reflection!
Apologies for the slow blogs at present, but time just seems to disappear with gardening and the kitchen. As autumn approaches, I hope to have more time to go through the many photos which I have taken over the last couple of months.
Take care everybody, keep well and stay safe.
My local list of wildflowers. (91 Species 20/06/2021).
See also my
Wonderful meal to celebrate a very special day x
ReplyDeleteThanks Gaynor, wish you could have celebrated as well. Maybe we should plan a foursome celebration for 45 years.
DeleteHope that all is going well and that Tim will soon be up and running around.
Take care, Diane
Oh Diane and Nigel - how delicious that all looks ... so many congratulations and I have loved that you put the photos up for us to drool over - and they are excellent too! Brilliant news ... enjoy the autumn and those fruits and veg you've been nurturing. Happy week too ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Hilary, I feel bad that I am not keeping up with blogs but I just do not have the time at present. Will get there when the garden cools down. It was a fab meal and we both so enjoyed it. Keep well, Diane
DeleteSo beautiful post
ReplyDeleteThanks so very much. All the best Diane
DeleteA very special meal, artistically presented to commemorate an equally special relationship. Congratulations Diane and Nigel. Miriam joins me in wishing you the very best. Now, if only the powers that be could install high speed internet as a special gift that would really make the day perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks to you both, it was a special day and one that will not be forgotten. Yes if only we could get even better internet then 0.5 I would be happy. Take care, Diane
DeleteCongratulations on your 40th anniversary Diane, oh la what a wonderful repas du soir 💙 I can quite understand how busy you are in the garden, from tomorrow it is officially spring here in Australia and I have just had a huge new flower bed prepared for planting, so looking forward to it, planning lots of new roses 🌼🌸🌹 Take care ✨
ReplyDeleteThanks Grace it was a lovely evening. When we get back I have two tree loads of figs to dry and a very loaded quince tree to sort out. I am not looking forward to winter as we have only had a few odd days of summer here this year. Keep well Diane
DeleteBelated anniversary greetings. Well done, you two.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful you could finally enjoy an evening meal out after such a long and strict lockdown. Enjoy the garden while summer into autumn lasts!
Thanks Marie. Eating out has so much more meaning than it used to!!! Keep well Diane
DeleteLooks more than perfect and absolutely delicious! Happy Anniversary! Hugs to you both.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gaelyn, a fabulous evening, great food and excellent service. Hugs from us both as well D & N
DeleteA belated congratulations on your fortieth, Diane and Nigel! That looks like an absolutely superb meal in a wonderful location too. I can see that you had a splendid evening. I'm sure that, like me, many of your readers will be jealous of such delicious fare!
ReplyDeleteTake care and stay safe - - - Richard
Thanks so much Richard, a very special meal, and day for that matter. One we will not forget.
DeleteHope that all is well with you both, take care Diane
Happy 40th wedding anniversary. A wonderful dinner. It is good to be able to dine out after so many months of lockdown.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy, we are so enjoying being able to get out. Keep well Diane
DeleteWow, that's some fantastic looking dishes! Happy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!
Thanks very much it was a special day. Cheers Diane
DeleteCongratulations on your40th anniversary. Wow what a splendid meal. Very exotic. One of the benefits of living in France.
ReplyDeleteThanks you, yes not many places where you will get a view like this sitting in a restaurant 😉
DeleteHope all it well. T'other Diane
What a beautiful and glamorous evening out! An absolutely perfect anniversary treat .
ReplyDeleteThanks Sallie, a special day, a special place and a special meal. Keep well Diane
DeleteFabulous place Diane! The food is beautifully presented. Lovely to see you and Nigel also, a super photo! Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary to you both!
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise it was an amazing meal. Hope all is well Diane
DeleteWhat a fine dining experience! Everything looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly a place we will return to. Thanks for the comment. Cheers Diane
DeleteLooks fantastic! The things we took for granted.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
You are so right. We have missed going out for so long and this was very special. Cheers Diane
DeleteOh my love this, Happy anniversary and you looks wonderful, lovely place and food indeed, Love champagne!
ReplyDeletehugs xo
Thanks Gloria, a very special day. Hope all is well, Diane
DeleteWhat a dreamy restaurant. I love the glass walls and how the food is plated so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing evening and the meal was fabulous, certainly a night to remember. Cheers Diane
Delete