Two fine meals in 24 hours – Le Clos de Jeanne (Genillé) - Part 1

We used to be great fans of the Agnès Sorel in Genillé but sadly this restaurant in the village centre has been closed for at least a year now. It stands sadly vacant and forlorn opposite the village church.

Passing through Genillé on one of my bike rides a couple of weeks I stopped to have a look at the menu of Le Clos de Jeanne (28, Bis rue Jeanne d'Arc). At one point there had been a Salon de Thé here and, I think, a crèperie. However, Le Clos de Jeanne, run by Alain et de Bernadette Auroy, has been a restaurant for for some years now. Looking at the menu I had to wonder why we hadn't tried Le Clos de Jeanne before. It was largely because we were so impressed by the Agnès Sorel that we didn't look elsewhere. 

We made up for that last night and had a very enjoyable meal. The service by Bernadette was excellent from her friendly and welcoming manner when I phoned up to reserve and this continued right through the meal last night. She was friendly and efficient with a fine sense of humour. 

While Bernadette looks after the salon, her husband, Bernard rattles the pots and pans to good effect and without assistance. See photos of dishes below.  

The short wine list includes a number of interesting bottles both from the Loire and elsewhere in France. We chose the 2011 Romo, AC Cour-Cheverny from Domaine des Huards. This is still quite lemony but is now developing some complexity. Romorantin, rather like Hunter Valley Semillon, needs time to develop.  

Two courses for 24€ – three course for 29€. Definitely recommended.  

2011 Romo, Cour-Cheverny, Domaine des Huards, 

Michel Gendrier 

The excellent bread is baked by a friend 

Tatin de magret de canard fumé aux pommes et foie gras

Saumon fumé sur lit de lentilles, oeuf poché et sauce gribiche

Flanc au crabe, tomates-cerise, mesclun et crème ciboulette

2014 Les Rouillères, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Frédéric Mabileau

Having dispatched the Romo we opted for the delicious 2014 Les Rouillères from Frédéric Mabileau. Lovely sweet fruit with enough acidity in the finish to stop this from being cloying. Although still very young so many 2014 Cabernet reds are drinking wonderfully well at the moment. They should also have the potential to age well but they are current so good that many bottles may well not survive for long!    

Rognon de veau émincé à la crème de moutarde

Rumsteak with butter flavoured with piment d'Espelette

Nos profiteroles sauce au chocolat 

Part 2: Le Pot de Lapin, Saumur (separate post to come)