La Luzeraise - Chalais

Met by the chef and shown into what looked like someone's front room. Everything relaxed and plenty of time to enjoy all the flavours. The fish and guinea fowl were outstanding

Thanks to TripAdvisor reviews we booked for Sunday lunch. The sign at the roadside, pointing up a track between abandoned tile factory buildings, was the only indication we were at the right place. Nothing on the actual restaurant indicates that it is other than a private house. There was only one other, decrepit, car in the area in front. We pushed on the door of the house and entered a France which is rapidly disappearing. We were ushered to the empty dining room by a smiling lady of a certain age and given a choice of tables set for two. Aperitifs were served with excellent rillettes de porc while we considered the menus at, if I remember rightly, 19, 29 and 39 euros. All offered fairly limited choices so you might not want to eat there every week. We chose the middle menu and ordered the feuillete d'escargots, and the roast guinea fowl. Brilliant choice. The escargots were plump and juicy and accompanied by light as a feather pastry and a delicious sauce. The guinea fowl was prepared with a honey glaze and was tender and perfectly cooked, accompanied by sautéed potatoes and a courgette dauphinoise. The cheeses were in perfect condition and delicious and the peach sponge which followed a delight. The portions were generous. The service neither too attentive nor lacking in attention. An offer to recork the bottle to take home meant that we could enjoy a glass or three of Madiran with the food. The only slight downside was that we ate in splendid isolation throughout. According to our hostess there had been a large party the night before but it seemed strange to us that more people were not flocking there for the excellent Sunday lunch. The dining room is decorated in traditional French provincial style and a number of interesting paintings adorn the walls. Really this is a restaurant not to be missed and we will be back.

The sign indicating the restaurant along the road is slightly faded; the path one follows runs through an abandoned old tile factory and leads to what looks like a private house, not at all like a restaurant. One feels sorely tempted to turn back: don 't ! Knock and a charming elderly lady will open and confirm that this is indeed the restaurant you were looking for; she 'll also ask whether you 've made a reservation: neither the dining room nor the kitchen will have been made ready if no customers are expected today... There are only a limited number of items on the menu, but we can recommend the sandre au beurre blanc (firm fleshed zander river fish without hesitation, preferably with a local Reuilly wine. Note: no credit cards accepted in this backwater (they do have a working phone, though ! .

Super restaurant a safe value in the corner with authentic menus. I can book before his well-deserved retirement

It's good to have known this place before closing. Although it was the end, the passion of the kitchen and the reception were there. Thanks for the good time. Good retirement for both of you...