This Famous "Splurge" Restaurant Does Not Disappoint
- August 9, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
NiceGinna from Evanston, Illinois
We found Cancale easily and walked along the waterfront, eyeing the many restaurants and stalls selling many kinds of huitres (oysters). But the restaurant we searched for was not there. Finally we spied a sign pointing up the hill. A young man at the door greeted us and ushered us into the lovely interior. Chef Olivier Roellinger has his restaurant in his childhood home. We were led to the solarium where all the windows faced out to the garden and a pond where ducks swam. Inside the floors were marble and across from us was a small antique iron stove used as a side table for flowers and butter dishes.
We ordered a good Fume Blanc and the "menu". They brought in grilled scallops to go with our aperitif. Then another bouche amuse: served in three conical shells on a bed of sea salt were three tastes of the sea: sea bass, cockles, and scallop each in its own sauce; there was a tiny silver spoon to eat them with. One of the prettiest presentations I've ever seen. Then the entree (first course): David had the foie gras de maison while I opted for the soup with potatoes and asparagus with a mound of crab in the shape of a crab on top. For the main course we were both served three fish: turbot, sea bass, and salmon, in a delicate sauce with leeks. By dessert we were nearly swooning! Dessert was a custard served on top of pamplemousse (grapefruit) with colorful berries scattered around the plate. Just right after a very substantial meal. We ended with cafe au lait and a glass of port which were accompanied by an apres-dessert of sweets, coffee-, lemon-, and chocolate-flavored. A meal to remember forever.
From journal A Tour of Normandy and Brittany