Constant Craving

The last few days have been lazy and comfortable.  We read a little, played some computer games, had naps, forgot to turn on the TV.  At the first stomach gurgle, however, we made our way to a restaurant to see what delicious dishes we could taste.  I'm not sure kd lang had our stomachs in mind when she wrote "Constant Craving"!

 

This is "Le Sucré Salé" in Égletons, a brasserie which is perfect for tourists and locals alike.  (Sweet and Salty.)  They serve a "formule du jour".  You order either an entrée and a main dish, or a main dish and a dessert, or all three, but at different prices.  Coffee is sometimes included in the price, sometimes not.  It's actually quite an easy way to order once you get the hang of it.

 

We ordered "paupiette de veau".  It seems to be like a veal meatloaf with lots of herbs and spices, encased in a sausage-type wrapping.  Very tasty.  That meat was served with a medley of veggies and a little tureen of roasted potatoes.

For dessert, a "chocolat fondant" with Chantilly, decorated with a half strawberry and a mint leaf.  That certainly went down the gullet very easily...

 

 

All this for 13,80 euros each, and 5 euros for a half bottle of wine.  With taxes the total was 32,60 euros.  Of course, tipping is always included in the total.  At an exchange of 1.4, that's a very reasonable price.

 

 

We sat in this church for quite some time, just enjoying the peacefulness.  We left when a few delicate drops of rain began to fall, so gentle it was like dew.

 

 

 

 

Government building across from the church.











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Another day, another feast.  This time we made our way to "Le Tacot" in Espagnac.  It's really not that far a drive.  This restaurant has quite a reputation, and reservations are highly recommended.  We tried to call, but the phone service at the restaurant had been out for a couple of days, since that big storm we experienced.

This is the "front desk".  If I'm not mistaken, it's a bread table where the flour was stored in the bottom and the bread itself was kneaded on the top.

Once upon a time, there was a well here.  The pumping lever is still there and the pulley set-up is solidly anchored in the stone.

The décor is soft, pastel, and ever so welcoming.

Each table has its own little cachet - a round, square or rectangular shape and a different flower arrangement.

 

The wine glasses are huge bulbs that are so elegant. The water glass more of a cut-glass design.  The chargers at each place setting are either purple or clear glass with a white linen serviette folded in the middle.

The soup tureen comes as a "help yourself" service.  Very wholesome pureed seasonal garden vegetables, delicately seasoned.

The salad was a bowl of lentils topped with salad greens and warm pork pieces.  Three slices of "boudin", or blood sausage, sat on the edges.  I refrained from eating the boudin because of its high iron content, but Karl said they were lightly fried and very delicious.

The main course was a tender duck leg with an incredible assortment of gently steamed then quickly sautéed veggies.  Please note the pretty checkered plate!

Dessert was a "tarte tatin" which is an apple pie without an upper crust.  It was baked to perfection with just the right amount of sugar and cinnamon.  Served with a generous dollop of Chantilly.

This piece of furniture was next to our table.  The top was a board once used by an "ébéniste", a wood worker.  The drawers were added at a later date and now hold the cutlery.  I love period pieces like these, especially when they have been repurposed to accommodate current needs.

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