We were celebrating a friends birthday and decided to try a new restaurant - well new to us any way, the restaurant and hotel have been in existence since 1973 but we have only just got around to going and we are so glad we did.
Les Pigeons Blancs is set on the edge of the town of Cognac (of the drink fame) which is an easy 20-30 min drive from our family holiday cottages here in the Charente Maritime region of France. The hotel has been home to the Tachet family since the 17th century and has been a 'relais de poste' since Francois 1st. Family member, Jaques Tachet is the chef.
It is set in beautiful gardens filled with oak and walnut trees, rose bushes and well manicured lawns. We visited on a perfect day, the sun was shining, the temperature a very pleasant 28c with a gentle breeze - perfect for a long lazy birthday lunch.
We chose the 5 course degustation menu at 59€ a head with one of us choosing a supplement of 16€ for the lobster - the menu was excellent value but the lobster supplement was not, it was a very small lobster dish and not worth the extra 16€ on top when the perfectly cooked sea bass alternative was included in the menu. We had a foie gras starter, the fish course, then duck, cheese and dessert.
It was a refreshing change to find the cheese course included as so menu restaurants these days seem to be offering it as a supplement.
We also had a childrens menu (19€) which was a delicately cooked piece of salmon served with risotto followed by a choice of desserts from the dessert trolley - we always think its a sign of a very good restaurant when they offer a grown up childrens menu which any adult would be happy to eat.
The dessert trolley was fab - we were told by Jean-Michel that we had to choose a MINIMUM of 3 desserts so here is our youngest with his strawberry creme brulee, raspberry charlotte and coffee meringue
One of our party also chose the 38€ 'le nez du marché' menu which is described as 1/3 of fresh produce, - 1/3 of Skill, - 1/3 of Friendship ... Jean- Michel describes the options in detail and it is all the more charming and feels more 'spontaneous' than being written on a board. Catherine and Jean - Michel are so relaxed and friendly, you feel very welcome; despite it being a 'gastronomic restaurant' there is no stuffiness; we had a very relaxing and enjoyable meal.
Since we welcome families with children, toddlers and babies to our holiday cottages here in France it would not make sense to simply go for a gastronomic meal and then go straight 'home' again so we recommend working off some of those desserts with a walk around the André Mermet park, just a couple of km away from the Pigeons Blancs restaurant. Its a bit far to walk with young children although you could take the river bank walk with a buggy which would be beautiful on a sunny day (we were lazy and took the car !)
Being a very sunny Sunday the park was very busy, filled with families barbecuing, picknicking and eating in the onsite café/bar . There are bouncy castles (optional extra fee)
a play park, petanque court, huge sandpit, football ground, zip wire, lots of trees, park benches and tables and lots of space to run around and work off that lunch
all set on the edge of the Charente river where you can hire pedaloes and canoes, go swimming or go for a walk
All in all a lovely family day out, you could really make a full day out by visiting one of the many Cognac houses in the morning before lunch !
Content by Wendy Blakeman
