L'Authentique - Espalion

Travelling through the Aveyron on Dec 31 and Jan 1st, L'Authentique was one of the restaurants recommended by the staff at Hotel de France for a New Year's Eve dinner. I was able to check out the proposed menu online and made a booking by phone. Fortunately the restaurant was only a 2 minute walk from the hotel as it was freezing cold. Service was full of smiles and the restaurant was fully booked. The single menu at 49 euros allowed for 2 choices per course. A foie-gras and fig macaron served as an amuse bouche was extraordinary. We all chose the asparagus velouté for entree, and we had deer for main. Both dishes were excellent and copious. Loosening our belts, we tackled the red fruits Charlotte for dessert and were glad of the light, refreshing taste. A very good winelist, from which we sampled some local wine, married well with the food. Add to that a glass of champagne to toast in the New Year and some homemade chocolate truffles to finish. A most enjoyable evening for us and from what I saw and heard, for all the other diners in the restaurant as well.