France: La Fine Fourchette, Falaise

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I was told about La Fine Fourchette by Ian at a friend’s party in June so it was on our list of eateries for the holiday being based in our nearest town, and birthplace of William the Conqueror, Falaise. We dropped by a couple of days ago while shopping and liked the look of the place and the fact there were a number of fixed price menus to choose from, with a range of prices. It’s quite formal and has a very French feel to the decor so it was an excuse to dress up a little too.

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We ordered Kir aperitifs to begin and then looked at the menu, deciding on a €33 local seasonal produce menu.

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Unusually, we all opted for different starters: Lyndsey choosing snail stew, Nicola cured salmon and skate with rocket sorbet, Jonathan a ballantine of guinea fowl and for me, fresh oysters. However, first an amuse bouche of velouté of cauliflower came and it was wonderful: smooth and perfectly seasoned.

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Then our starters.

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Each dish was excellent. With wonderful oyster beds not far to the north at places like Cancale, it wasn’t surprising to be served such lovely ones. But nevertheless a great pleasure. We drank Sancerre from the Loire area with the meal – also very good. Then to our mains. Jonathan and Nicola had lamb with provencal sauce, Lyndsey fish with Nantais sauce and for me, duck.

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They were stunning plates of food to look at and pleasingly the ‘decoration’ was edible and part of the dish – having experienced random bits of greenery on food in other restaurants which I don’t like. The dishes were also delicious: tender meat with rich, deep sauces and interesting vegetables with little twists. Then came the cheese trolley – always a delight in a good French restaurant and this one excellent.

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And then desserts … and how to choose from the wonders on offer. Lyndsey looked delighted by her raspberry macaroon.

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Jonathan was equally delighted with his apple sorbet with Calvados poured over it (I was impressed too with my taste of it; something to try to make once home).

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Nicola chose poached apple with raspberry coulis and ice cream.

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And I had a compote of rhubarb and raspberries with a lemon Madeleine (divinely light and lemony) and creme brûlée ice cream. Yes, it was very wonderful.

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Gorgeous little petit fours came with coffee and we were also given glasses of the house punch, made of blackcurrants and raspberries steeped in calvados.

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We all agreed it was one of the best meals we’d had in a while and excellent value. The final bill with aperitifs, wine, bottled water and tip was €50 a head – only about £40 with the current exchange rate. On the way out I told the owner about my blog and that I would write a review, giving her one of my cards. She went and got her husband and son chefs and they talked to us and gave me a signed copy of a little book of their verrine recipes.

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We loved La Fine Fourchette and it will definitely be on our list of restaurants to go back to next time we’re in this lovely part of France.

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A lifelong lover of good food and travel; writer and book editor

4 thoughts on “France: La Fine Fourchette, Falaise

  1. Your post made me hungry just reading about the lovely food … and great photos too, by the way. Thank you for pointing out La Fine Fourchette to us!

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