We have been frequenting the Le Scorlion restaurant in Saint Jean d'Angely for 20 years and have enjoyed the food there from all the three restauranteurs that have owned it during that time. We are incredibly lucky to have such a top class restaurant in our little town of St Jean with it's population of just 8000 people.
Thomas and Claire Routhieau
Le Scorlion and it's present owners Thomas and Claire Routhieau are really pulling out all the stops to really put the restaurant on the map. Having travelled all over the world and working at the Georges V in Paris no less, Thomas is putting all his experience into his menu and dishes and it really shows. The food is becoming more and more refined and has this year been awarded the new ' l'assiette Michelin' for recognition of a really good quality meal. The restaurant also has two knives and forks which recognises 'good quality' in terms of the restaurant itself - table setting, greeting, service etc
Worth a babysitter
We always recommend this restaurant to our families staying with us in our family holiday cottages here in the Charente Maritime. It provides a lovely grown up ambiance all year and in summer has a delightful wooden deck terrace at the front, inside the old Abbey cloisters - perfect for a warm summer evening. If our families ask for a recommendation we generally send them here as the quality of the meal is worth paying the babysitter (me !) Alternatively you could go for lunch and take the children, they have a high chair but no childrens menu.
Recent visit
We ate here quite recently with the boys and had a lovely Sunday lunch. It was very busy with both the terrace and inside full so it's important to make a reservation (we will do this for you when staying with us) We all chose the Menu Gourmand at 39€ (there's no childrens menu and our two wouldn't choose it if there were !) which includes 'La Surprise' if you are adventurous - which we are and it was a delicious piece of ............. (shan't spoil the surprise) They will suggest a wine to accompany the surprise if you ask.
Amuse Bouches
We love restaurants where they bring you the bite sized hors d'oeuvres and we always get at least two at Le Scorlion. It makes you feel like you are getting really good value for money ! They change regularly so it's always a treat as you never know what they'll be.
The Menu
Thomas has three menus: menu de l'abbaye at 26€; menu Gourmand at 39€ and their mid week lunch menu is just 16€50 plus their occasional brunch menu individually priced dishes such as eggs benedict, pancakes, grilled fish with potatoes, ceasar salad with confit of duck and a variety of desserts
The future
We'd love to see some home made rolls of different flavours - walnut and fig for example and butters to go with them as we have experienced at some Michelin starred restaurants and a dedicated wine waiter too.
We love their themed nights with Jazz and their regular brunches where they offer a completely different menu and hope those continue.
Content by Wendy Blakeman
