Brilliant Meal.

[Caran]

Still in France went for a meal at a restaurant our gite owners recommended.
They had what they call a formula menu. €13.90 for three courses. Buffet starter with a choice of about 40 dishes that you could have as much as you wanted. Ranging from large prawns, pate, chorizo, black pudding, lots of rice dishes and pasta, salads and lots more.
Main course was chosen of the menu. I had fish cooked in butter(don't know what kind) with assorted veg, rice, mushrooms and mash.
OH had veal kidneys in sauce, with sautéed potatoes, salad and veg.
Then there was a dessert buffet, again as much as you wanted.
There was a man sitting near us who went to the starter buffet three times with a piled up plate each time, then he had a main course.
We left before he went for dessert. It looked as if there was no end to the number of times you went back for a refill.
After we had finished our starter the waiter cleared the plates and said something to us, thinking back he could have been asking if we wanted to get a refill.
Including a carafe of wine it came to €34.40. Well worth it, feel stuffed now.

[Buenchico]

>>>the waiter cleared the plates and said something to us

Most things that French waiters say to English tourists are neither translatable nor repeatable!

;-)

[jno]

wow, I hope you've got someone to wheel you back to the gite!

[tonyav]

Sounds excellent value, Caran. You'll sleep well tonight.

[Hopkirk]

Oh go on, just have this little wafer to finish.

[mikey4444]

Sounds really great vaule for money Caran...wish I had been there !

[Caran]

Just going to force myself to open a bottle of Rose now.

[shoota]

'La formule' is what some pubs/restaurants over here call a 'prix fixe' menu - one price but restricted to what is on that menu.

[shoota]

If you like rose, hunt out some Cabernet d'Anjou, if you have a 'Super-U' near you try their 'Plessis-Duval Cabernet d'Anjou'.

[Caran]

Thanks shoota will look out for that one.

[marval]

That sounds lovely Caran, I have had some great meals in France.

[ummmm]

The hotel we're staying in does a buffet breakfast. I'm amazed every morning at some people's gluttony....

Someone needs to remind some of the guests that it isn't actually free!! Cheap food to feed the piglets....

[Retrochic]

They've paid for it in with their Hotel why shouldn't they eat as much as they want? often people on holiday fill up on Breakfast so they don't have to get a big meal at Lunch. Since when have you been so high and mighty?

[Retrochic]

Sorry Caran but that sounds like the sort of place a French person would steer clear of. The French Equivalent of a 'Happy Eater'. IF you want some real French food try a local village bistro

[ummmm]

I'm not being high and mighty. Like I said...I'm amazed. There is only a certain amount of food I could eat in one sitting regardless what I'm having for lunch or dinner.

Anyway....these people are all inclusive.

[B00]

Retro, lol, do you EVER have owt nice to say?

[Svejk]

As long as they eat it all, I hate to see food wasted.
Even worse, if you go somewhere with a free bar and you watch them clearing away hundreds of untouched drinks off every table.
Especially if you've paid for the free bar. ;-(

[ummmm]

There was a free bar at my grandad's funeral. I don't recall seeing any untouched drinks....

[Svejk]

Was it in Ireland, ummmm?

[Retrochic]

Boo yes frequently, that's why I have quite a few 'best answers'.

[Retrochic]

Svejk -clearing away hundreds of free drinks lol! Was it a methodist wedding lol!