A few remaining vines in Le Petit Pressigny

Village sign and autumnal colours (CRM)

We had the recent pleasure (5th October) of visiting one of our favourite restaurants – La Promenade, run by the Dallais family. Fabrice is increasingly taking over from his father, Jackie Dallais, in the kitchen after working in some top restaurants in Paris. The food, as usual, was a gastronomic delight – inventive, delicious, and impeccably presented. The wine list is equally stunning. There is a strong emphasis on the wines of the Loire but the sommelier, Xavier Fortant, has introduced an increasing number of wines from Burgundy and the Rhône. Having considered a Vieilles Vignes from Burgundy, Xavier persuaded us that he would find something better suited to our chosen dishes! The wine he chose, a 2005 Auxey-Duresses from Coche-Dury, proved to be a perfect accompaniment for both our pigeon and turbot – pinot noir at its best.

We didn't have far to stagger home to the chambre d'hôtes that we have come to love, Au Fil de l'Aigronne. It is just across the road from the restaurant and run by the very friendly and welcoming Valérie and Loïc Bobon. At breakfast the next morning we discovered that, like us, all our companions had eaten at La Promenade!

On an evening walk to work up an appetite we stumbled upon a small patch of well-kept old vines on the outskirts of Le Petit Pressigny.

 Old vine on the outskirts of Le Petit Pressigny (CRM)

What first caught our attention were the figures in the vineyard – an amazing band of arm-waving dancers in strange costumes. Are they very ornate scarecrows or inventive sculptures?

 Scarecrows or sculptures? (CRM)

(above and below)

My favourite! (CRM)

 

Across the road from La Promenade - poitron velouté demain? (CRM)

Le Petit Pressigny: some photos mainly of Jacky Dallais' La Promenade

 

 Sign@the southern entry to Le Petit Pressigny

Bienvenue au Petit Pressigny

Au Fil de l'Aigronne (left) – Jacky Dallais' La Promenade (right)

Yesterday we had a wonderful evening at Jacky Dallais' La Promenade. I don't know how many times we have been there over the years – probably a good 30 and it never disappoints. Fortunately there is now a very welcoming Chambres d'Hotes just opposite – Au Fil de l'Aigronne (tel: 02.47.91.69.19) run by Valérie and Loïc Bobson. They only have three rooms so early booking is advised. Staying there means we can go for dinner and avoid the long drive back to Epeigné.  

 Flowers in the courtyard of Au Fil de l'Aigronne

 

Butterfly over the bike shed

 

Menu du Jour@Au Bon Coin, PP's other restaurant

La Promenade in distance

Au Bon Coin – café - restaurant

Au Bon Coin – menu@11.50€
La Promenade in distance

 La Promenade in the morning sunlight

Au fil de l'Aigronne (B&B) makes dinner@La Promenade possible

Just a few steps from Au fil de l'Aigronne (left) to La Promenade

Readers of Jim's Loire may well be aware of our enthusiasm for Jacky Dallais' wonderful restaurant – La Promenade in Le Petit Pressigny. Hitherto we have virtually always had to have lunch there as it is around 60 kilometres from Epeigné-les-Bois to Le Petit Pressigny. We have stayed in the area a couple of times but it was never a great success. The first time must have been nearly 20 years ago in a chambre d'hôte just across from La Promenade. The other time was in a château chambre d'hôte in the next village – La Celle Guenand – which meant a four kilometre walk along the road.

Fortunately the original chambre d'hôte opposite the restaurant has been completely revamped, having changed hands a couple of times. The very welcoming present owners – Valérie et Loïc Bobon, who are originally from La Mayenne, took over about a year ago at Au fil de l'Aigronne. We booked the downstairs suite for last night – 70€ including breakfast for the two adjoining rooms with shared facilities, so were able to enjoy the customary excellent meal at La Promenade without having to worry about a long journey home that evening.
    

I'm sure this won't be the last time we opt to spend the night in Le Petit Pressigny at the Bobon's B&B. Amongst the other people staying there last night was a couple from Tours, who hearing how good La Promenade is, caught the bus that runs from Tours to Tournon Saint-Martin. They had dinner at La Promenade last night and were planning to have Sunday lunch there before heading back to Tours on the bus that passes around 5.30pm.