Zonnebloem
01-11-2007, 02:14 PM
Reading Booshie's review of the place in Leeds and reading the menu on the link, it struck me how expensive eating in England can be. I saw main courses at typically £13 - 20. It reminded me of my holidays last summer in and around the Bordeax wine areas of western France.
I visited La Salamandre on the quays of Pauillac several times and was astounded by the quality and value for money of the daily lunch "formule" at a mere €12 per person (about £9) for 3 courses, each one with 3 alternative choices and a small pitcher of wine thrown in. Starters included some imaginative salads, terrines, shellfish. The menu changes every day so you can keep on going back but still have something new.
Kids menus for €7 is proper food, not some chicken nuggets or greyburger.
Air-conditioned room upstairs is a godsend on those very hot summer days.
The greatest thing there though was the wine list. Absolute top-notch Bordeaux wines for €15 - 20, which is cheaper than the same wines would cost in a UK supermarket. Château Lanessan for just €17. (I saw the same in a Brussels restaurant for €42). Grands crus classés for €20 - 25. Find out how much they would cost over there in Britain.
http://www.lasalamandre-pauillac.com/
They also have their own home-made ice-creams, on display in the freezer cabinets at the front and they are very good.
A bit obscure for most of you, I know but look it up if you are ever in the Médoc area of France. If you are not, just think of 3-course meal with wine for £9 in France when considering whether your meal was good value or not.
I visited La Salamandre on the quays of Pauillac several times and was astounded by the quality and value for money of the daily lunch "formule" at a mere €12 per person (about £9) for 3 courses, each one with 3 alternative choices and a small pitcher of wine thrown in. Starters included some imaginative salads, terrines, shellfish. The menu changes every day so you can keep on going back but still have something new.
Kids menus for €7 is proper food, not some chicken nuggets or greyburger.
Air-conditioned room upstairs is a godsend on those very hot summer days.
The greatest thing there though was the wine list. Absolute top-notch Bordeaux wines for €15 - 20, which is cheaper than the same wines would cost in a UK supermarket. Château Lanessan for just €17. (I saw the same in a Brussels restaurant for €42). Grands crus classés for €20 - 25. Find out how much they would cost over there in Britain.
http://www.lasalamandre-pauillac.com/
They also have their own home-made ice-creams, on display in the freezer cabinets at the front and they are very good.
A bit obscure for most of you, I know but look it up if you are ever in the Médoc area of France. If you are not, just think of 3-course meal with wine for £9 in France when considering whether your meal was good value or not.