호텔 르 도팽 세

We went there having been recommended by Hotel les Ducs in Alencon. The room, if it had been 80 euros I would have said what do you expect but it was 120 and swinging the proverbial cat was not a possibility. There was plenty of amenities in the room but no where to move, a kettle with a short lead but no where in sight to plug it in without balancing it on a chair. "One night, oh well lets hope the restaurant makes up for the inconveniences of the room" I said to my wife. The wine was good, all started well with a muses bouche but then the days special soup arrived, ok not too bad but something was not quite right. The main courses, my wife was quite happy with her "paleron" (slow cooked piece of beef from the shoulder). I ordered a "fillet de Sandre" or white or yellow pike-perch fillet, I have never been served in all of my life such a minuscule piece of fish. It was the tail end of the fillet, it also had a rather pronounced taste far stronger than I was expecting, knowing that the fish is renowned for having quite a lot of taste for a fresh water fish. Why did I eat it? well there was only two bites to be had floating upon four pieces of asparagus and three or four small almost empty potato skins. They could be almost flattened with the knife, I ask my wife if this was some new fashion, I tried one, not very good so I left the others, I think they had been deep fried in their skins, odd especially as the overall presentation was of a traditional French style and we My wife noticed that I was somewhat disappointed so she only told me the next day that the chef had said to the only other table occupied on the other side of the room when one guest wanted the Sandre, "I'll give you L'Omble Chevelie" instead to the gueste's reply that it was not on the menu, the chef said that's ok it will be at the same price for you. Good job she didn't tell me and that I am hard of hearing. Well dressed up but.... not to be recommended and empty for a Friday night, we didn't have the breakfast.

We stayed only 1 night with friends and their dog (Blu) on route for the Loire Valley. We wish we could have stayed longer. We began with a very friendly welcome by the owner helping us with parking. We next met madame when aperitifs were quickly served outside. Our decision to eat outside was quickly scuppered by a downpour but nothing seemed too much trouble as everything was moved inside. The food at dinner was top class with many additional amuse bouches. Here is a chef de cuisine who is clearly passionate about what he does and loves pleasing people. Service was attentive. Our rooms were very clean with comfortable beds leading to a good night's sleep. Breakfast was extensive and delicious with omelettes cooked to order. We thank our hosts very much for a wonderful stay.