Where to find an excellent meal on a Sunday night in the Cher Valley: Le Bon Laboureur!

Single menu@51€ on Sunday night plus à la carte

Trying to find somewhere to eat in rural France on a Sunday night is all too often a real challenge. It is even more of a challenge to find a restaurant where the food is excellent, the service impeccable and the wine list has many interesting bottles. Even highly-rated restaurants can be a considerable disappointment on a Sunday night with the reserve team on. 

It is little wonder that Sunday lunch in France is frequently a long drawn affair as it may well not be possible to find a square meal until at least Tuesday lunch time, especially in the winter as many restaurants are closed on Monday as well as Sunday night. An ancien régime! 

Fortunately we are just a ten minute drive from Chenonceaux and Le Bon Laboureur, which is not only open but really maintains its customary high standard both in the kitchen and the service headed by Fabrice. We enjoyed a really excellent and relaxed dinner there on a Sunday evening in mid-March.  
  

Amuse bouche

Velouté de cresson, oeuf mollet et lomo feuilleté à la fleur du sel

(my choice)

Terrine de lapin au foie gras, betteraves colorées 

et vinaigrette acidulée

Apéro and entrée: very fine 2011 Les Argiles, Vouvray, François Chidaine 

Epaule de veau confite, choux vert et rutabagas

(our choice)

2008 Le Vau Jaumier, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Gérard Vallée:

less opulent than, for instance, a 2009 but lovely texture 

with fine acidity to balance

Gratin d'ananas et orange, sorbet pomelos

(my choice and a lovely dessert – refreshing and not rich)

Dacquoise praliné, glace 'Guanaja'

(above and below)

Alcoholic cherries à la finale!