Meu Fado Meu

Earlier this week, to celebrate life (apparently) beginning, Andrew and I went for lunch at Le Manoir.  I have been before, 10 or so years ago, and knew this would be good - but the food, service and setting really were excellent.  Well, you’d hope so for the price, but it really was worth it.

We had been preparing ourselves for Le Menu découverte - 10 courses of fantastic cuisine.  Yes, it sounds excessive but the portions and content are perfectly balanced.  We were full after 10 courses and an appetiser - taken over 3 hours - but contentedly so.  A walk through the lovely grounds and vegetable garden helped restore us.

Le Menu découverte végétarien

“More and more our guests want a voyage of discovery with new flavours and textures; all of these matched with lightness , seasonality and best produce.”   (Raymond Blanc)

• Beetroot terrine; horseradish and dill cream
• Vieux Lille cheese soufflé, apple and celery salad; walnut dressing
• Salade of Poivrade artichokes, aged balsamic vinegar and garden herbs
• Risotto of spring vegetables and herbs, grilled Sicilian tomatoes
• Roasted sweet Romano pepper, tabbouleh; artichoke confit and spiced pepper jus
• Fresh tagliatelle pasta, seasonal vegetables; rosemary and Gruyère cheese sauce
• Poached peach in white wine, granité and lavender sorbet
• Exotic fruit ‘raviole’ with kaffir lime leaf and coconut
• Coffee Panna Cotta; crunchy hazelnut praliné, anis crème glacé
• Café pur Arabica, petits fours et chocolats du Manoir

There was an optional cheese course after the tagliatelle (which was introduced as “the main course“).  No, don’t worry, we didn’t.  The cheese board did look sublime, though.  If the Vieux Lille in the soufflé (apparently, a variant of a Maroilles cheese) was anything to go by, they’ll taste every bit as divine.  In another 10 years, when I’m 40 again, I’ll perhaps return just for the cheese.

We enjoyed a lovely Côtes de Provence - a Château les Crostes rosé.  This, being fresh, light and full of summer, complimented the whole meal beautifully.

(Thanks Andrew!)

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