L’Auberge Fleurie, Villeneuve Loubet
You would probably only come across Villeneuve Loubet if you had a serious interest in French cuisine. This little perched village, a few kilometres inland from Nice, is the birthplace of the ‘father of French cooking’, Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935), creator of the Peach Melba and head chef at Ritz hotels across Europe. These days, his natal home has been turned into a museum, celebrating his life and also the work of modern-day Michelin-starred chefs. A few steps away is the Auberge Fleurie, a small restaurant in an old, stone house with a geranium-draped terrace – a place that pays decent homage to the grandmaster. There are several menus to choose from but I decide on a la carte – pork loin ‘savoyarde’, topped with cheese, accompanied by roast potatoes and green beans fried with carrots, followed by a Peach Melba – fresh white peaches poached in lavender, cinnamon and honey resting on two scoops of vanilla ice cream. The main course was faultless, but although attractively presented, the dessert was slightly disappointing – while the peaches were delicious, the ice cream wasn’t top quality and the dots of chantilly cream cheapened a dish that cost 9 euros. Judging by the groans of ecstasy coming from the pensioners on the next table, I should have gone for the ‘melt-in-the-middle’ chocolate pudding. What with the friendly service and relaxed atmosphere, I’ll definitely go back to discover my own plateful of heaven. And looking at the photos on the walls inside, I’m not the only one – the chef/proprietor has cooked for the likes of Rod Stewart and Jacques Chirac.
rue des Mesures 11/13, Villeneuve Loubet, France
Contact tel: +33 (0)4 93 73 90 92, fax: +33 (0)4 93 73 90 92
Cost 2 course set menu: £10 - £25 per person
Added 2008/06/10 @ 23:44:16
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