Maximum temperature 12C, minimum 6C. 9km/h NE winds, 19km/h gusts. 1 mm rain measured. Foggy all day.
Leaving home at 12pm the mist was swirling in all directions...
making driving not a lot of fun!
Arrival at Domaine Des Etangs...
Nigel and I ready to go and enjoy a fabulous lunch.
The dragonfly emblem is on the door step and all the crockery in the restaurant as well....
Luckily we were sat right by the fire 😊
Nigel with friends Erica and Brian .
Amuse Bouche
Top left radishes, top right foie gras cherries and below mushroom soup.
Starter which we all chose - Braised artichokes, river trout and hazelnuts the other choice was celeriac and black truffle.
Main course - braised leeks with Barbezieux chicken or....
John Dory roasted over charcoal, Parmesan foam and mushrooms. Nigel and I both had this dish and it was delicious and full of amazing flavours.
The dessert - this was called Earl grey tea and chocolate but I asked for no Earl Grey (I don't like it!) or
Nigel's choice of Grapefruit iced parfait, but note, he had - "Joyeux anniversaire 70 Ans" written on his plate with a candle to blow out 🍷
Finally a coffee with petit-fours.
Great lunch, great company - Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure and we thoroughly enjoyed our day. Diane and Nigel
DeleteSuch delicious looking and sounding fare. Happy birthday to your sweetie!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie message passed on. Diane
DeleteHappy birthday, Nigel, and congratulations on having that fetching young thing by your side. And I can see that, as is your wont, you left no gastronomic stone unturned in your quest to satisfy your discriminating palates. Apart from cooking it well, the French sure know how to make it all look perfect. I shall see if I can arrange my egg and chips artistically on my plate!
ReplyDeleteHa ha that young thing by his side - he has a few years to catch up with me. The food there was excellent but it does have Michelin star :-) Enjoy the weekend Diane
DeleteYour food looks so delectable. My mouth is watering. And the dragonfly is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe dragonfly is an interesting slogan to the plates, and even with charms tied around the serviettes. The food was very special. Hope you have a good weekend Diane
DeleteWhat a fabulous restaurant and the food looks divine.
ReplyDeleteThe whole place is stunning Penny and the food was really the best. Have a great weekend Diane
DeleteA charming place to celebrate a special birthday Diane. My birthday greetings to your dear husband, even though a little late. I like the dragonfly in the stonework and on the dinnerware. The food looked sumptuous and lovely photos, especially of you with Nigel, and the one with your friends.
ReplyDeleteNot often you see a photo of me and even less often of us together! The food was very special and thoroughly enjoyed by us all. Hope all is well Denise and that you have a good weekend Diane
DeleteEven your food looks so different from our food here in the southern part of the US. How interesting..thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe noticed the difference in food when were were in the USA last year. Serving are so much bigger there and we never managed to finish a meal which seemed to us such a waste. Hope your weekend is a good one. Diane
DeleteHappy birthday to Nigel. You both look beautiful! Interesting meal, so different from ours. I like the dragonfly emblem.
ReplyDeleteVery different to your meals. it always fascinates me how food can be so different in other parts of the world. Take care Diane
DeleteHappy Birthday to Nigel. The food looks delicious and very elegantly presented.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very special meal Kim and we will return for another spacial date. Not an everyday place to eat!! Keep well Diane
DeleteHi Diane, please wish Nigel a happy happy belated birthday from Perth.. what a wonderful lunch you enjoyed to celebrate the occasion. I see things are getting a wee bit chilly over there since I've been away.. it's warming up a little too fast over here 😀
ReplyDeleteYes it is getting colder and colder, we both hate it!.. Will pass the message on. Diane
DeleteBrrr! Look at that mist! It's a perfect day for a warm meal inside.
ReplyDeleteand what a great meal :-) Diane
DeleteOh what a delightful place!
ReplyDeleteLove dragonflies. "Area of the Ponds"... :-) Thought it might be, "Home of the Dragonflies." But of course, dragonflies love areas of water, sooooo.... :-)
What a wonderful dinner. A world away from our weekend dining experience. But then again, we weren't 'going for' fine dining! ,-)
Belated Happy Birthday to Nigel!!!!!!!
Luna Crone
Thanks for the good wishes. Not often we dine quite like this but it was a special occasion. He still has a few years to catch me up though :-) Diane
DeleteHappy Birthday to Nigel, 70 the new 50 :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda.
Delete