Ardres Hotel-Restaurant Le Relais, Pas de Calais Review

“You wouldn't think there is much to commend the area...”

Written on: 01/05/2008 by arbsterama (3 reviews written)

Good Points
Fantastic food!

General Comments
You wouldn't think there is much to commend the area around Calais, with its booze warehouses and to be honest quite boring scenery. But drive for 15 minutes to the village of Ardres and you'll get a delicious taste of authentic France. Le Relais is a hotel and restaurant, but we only ate there at a midweek lunchtime. As with most French establishments, you need to arrive promptly for lunch. We got there at about 12.30 and by the end of our meal Madame was politely but firmly speeding us on our way! The setting is a long dining room decorated in a traditional French country style, with an eclectic mix of rustic antiquities, paintings, tapestries and even a slightly moth eaten stuffed duck! But to the food. There's the usual selection of fixed price menus and we went for four course, for about 20 euros each. There is a good range of fish and meat dishes on offer for both starters and main courses. I thoroughly enjoyed a Cassoulet Gastronomique, which was simply stunning. Good local cheeses followed, and the meal was finished with a Creme Brulee. Friendly old fashioned service, great food, and relaxing surroundings.