After a morning visit to Cordes-sur-Ciel, our next stop during our weekend in the Tarn department was Gaillac, a colorful small town known for the eponymous wine produced in the surroundings.We stopped in Gaillac for just one reason: to eat lunch. Our hosts Nathalie and David Bolton of La Peyrecout had recommended that we try out "Cassis," a former café located on the main square. " Chef Justin Winstanley has turned the site into a charming restaurant.
For our meal, we chose the daily lunch special. The starter was a "salade gourmande." I must admit I am not always bowled over by salads bearing that name, as they are often smothered with greasy lardons and slathered in slimy store-bought salad dressing. (Mais oui! In the land of delicious vinaigrettes!)
The Cassis take on a salade gourmande was much lighter: cooked beets with red onions, steamed cauliflower, roasted red peppers, céleri remoulade with walnuts, an avocado purée and a few salad greens: a true feast for the eyes and the palate!
The main course, simple yet convincing, was a boneless pork chop, hot and crispy frites, and a delicious Swiss chard gratin.
To finish up, a classic dessert: tarte aux pommes normande.
All of the above can be enjoyed for a very reasonable 9.50 euros (about $13.00 or £6.50,) although more elaborate menus are available.
If you're looking for a tasty and affordable lunch or dinner in the area, I couldn't recommend Cassis more.
To finish, I must give a special mention for the fact that my teenage "kids" were allowed to order the menu d'enfants -- which is not always the case in France, where the cut-off age is usually ten, and enforced. Unlike many French kids' menus, virtually identical all over the country, it was as original and appealing as the adult choices.
Cassis Restaurant
80 Place de la Libération
81600 Gaillac, France
(0)5 63 57 62 67
8 comments:
I think my husband would have been in heaven had we eaten with you! He loves almost anything with the "frites", with mayonaise, ofcourse!
Thanks for visiting, I will visit often. Miss France. alot.:)
Lidy
Wow, that is a good deal. The salad looks great...I love cooked beets and roasted peppers. If I'm ever in Gaillac, I know where to go.
Awww those all look yummie, esp. the main course (I love pork chops). Mmmmm!
Betty,
You don't have to post this, but I was just wondering if you got my reply to your question...
This resto looks very good, by the way. :)
Lovely restaurant! The food looks just so yummy!
I have to ask your advice about France! We are going there for the summer holidays and we are thinking of La Touquet near Bolougne, which we loved, but is there any other nice beach resort around the west of France that you have maybe been and loved? Thank you!
Yes, it really was a nice meal without being too "fancy" -- a good family place and a cute atmosphere. They did have some more "haute cuisine" type dishes on their higher-priced menus, though.
Next time I'm in Gaillac I'll try that restaurant.
Have just found your Blog and enjoyed reading it. I,m a near neighbour, an englishwoman living near to Villefranche de Rouergue
Hello Helen M!
Thanks for leaving a comment. I know I have some local readers, and also Aveyronnais readers living in other parts of France, but usually only hear from them occasionally.
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