La Salamandre

La Salamandre
84, Rue de Paris
89000 Auxerre

Tel.: 03 86 52 87 87

la_salamandre@wanadoo.fr

Saturday 25th August 2001

This was to be our first dinner in France on this holiday.

I had been waiting to try something a little special, not least so that I could review it here. I am always fascinated by seafood, and La Salamandre specialises in seafood.

I am a little surprised - we are, after all, some way from the sea. Nevertheless, I even manage to persuade Marg to try seafood. We have a couple of Pastis, and Marg opts for Sole Meunière, no starter.

I decide on the two-course set menu: Salad of Dublin Bay prawns, artichoke base and large white beans, Half lobster with Chanterelle mushrooms, Fromage ( see their complete menu)

The langoustines looked gorgeous and were artistically presented - à la nouvelle cuisine, and were excellent and obviously in fresh, peak condition. The accompaniments particularly suited the dish.

The lobster was again well presented, and was brimming with chanterelles. Perhaps a little too strongly flavoured for my taste - they tended to mask the flavour of the lobster. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the dish - there was nothing left on the plate!

Marg was not going to have any dessert, but I was tempted by their cheese trolley. I don't think there was a single cheese I was familiar with - they all seemed to be small, local cheeses, so I asked for suggestions: not too strong, not too mild.

A small selection was presented - I'm sorry but I can't remember what they were - one was covered in crushed peppers, and had an amazingly aromatic taste on first bite, with a wonderful creamy aftertaste, and the others were just as palatable.

La Salamandre provided us with an excellent first dinner on this holiday and we went to our beds replete. Together with coffees and a bottle of Calanges (?) the bill is 730 FF, absolutely excellent value.

Thoroughly recommended.

Sandro