There is a little restaurant in the village of Auriac sur Dropt, between Sauvetat du Dropt and Duras.
A family-owned and run business, La Camélia has a simple menu showcasing wonderful, home-cooked meals.
It is another example of cuisine bourgeoise.
It is open for lunch and dinners, but closed at the weekends.
At night, there is a five course menu for 20 euros. Wine is extra.
Sitting midway through a stone village that clings narrowly to the D668, La Camélia has an unassuming exterior.
The interior decor is austere, with pine panelling on the walls and a few photographs.
There were about 20 people in the restaurant last night ... equal numbers of English and French.
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| sunset near Auriac sur Dropt |
Owners Marianne and Thierry have had the place for about 14 years.
She serves, he cooks.
She says at lunch time, when the place is full of workers and the menu is fixed, he has time to come out of the kitchen and help on the floor.
We start with split-pea soup. Cliona has an entrée of chicken liver pate and I have a local version of a Greek salad, with some hot chorizo.
The main course is a choice of haddock, duck or steak. We both go for the magret and it is superb, served in a mango sauce with pommes de terres sauté, a little parcel of green beans wrapped in bacon and a tiny flan of jerusalem artichoke.
The cheese course consists of Brie, Cantal and St Nectaire.
Dessert is nougat ice-cream or lemon cheescake or apple, cooked in orange juice.
We leave La Camélia well-satisfied.
We are happy to have discovered yet another special little eatery in the Lot et Garonne.
It's 10pm and as we walk to the car, a sickle moon and Venus are shining brightly in the night sky.
Just like you, Tony, I'm touring Lot-et-Garonne but in my case it is the northern part of it and I think it is beautiful country. Le Camélia sounds like a good restaurant. My late friend vernissage was a succès and I greatly enjoyed it. I'll be back in Paris tomorrow night.
ReplyDeleteBy now, Tony, you must be dans vos meubles in your dream house. Can't wait for photos!
ReplyDeleteDear Charles Henry ... we are in the process of furnishing our wonderful house with pieces bought locally, while we wait for our shipment to arrive from Australia. No photos yet. But soon.
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