Auberge Gourmande - Gilly-sur-Loire

I eat here regularly, as I find it consistently has food and service of a very high standard. It was closed for 2 weeks for renovation over the Christmas holiday period 2016-7, and has now re-opened, looking very chic. The menu evolves gradually, so regular diners can often find something new to tempt them.

L'Auberge Gourmande hits a perfect balance between a comfortable, welcoming setting and delicious gourmet food. It's ideal for family gatherings. The servings are generous and perfectly prepared, and you can spend as much time as you wish at table without ever feeling rushed. The prices are very reasonable for such fine cuisine.

The reliability of this destination never falters. My wife and I returned today and found the food, service and ambience as excellent as ever. Today's menu included a lamb terrine or poultry samosas for starters, and a duck leg confit or a cod in lobster sauce for mains. All were above reproach. We paid 63 euros for the two of us and that included a glass of Cremant as an apero, a bottle of St Pourcain to go with the food, and two coffees. It's closed from tomorrow (22 April) for its post-Easter break and is scheduled to reopen on May 3.

We eat at l'Auberge Gourmande regularly, most recently on March 2 2014. The welcome is unfailingly warm, the ambience inviting, and the food above reproach. The menu changes regularly and takes advantage of seasonal produce, and the style is classic French with some modern touches. Great tastes and elegant presentation go hand in hand, and the prices are reasonable. On this visit my wife chose the pheasant terrine then lamb cutlets, and I ate poultry samosas then confit of duck in an Armanac sauce. We were offered a palate cleansing apple sorbet free of charge between courses. The cheese trolley always has a huge range of regional choices, the desserts are seductive (order them at the start as they are cooked to order). The wine list is well thought out and the costs are relatively modest. Booking in advance is recommended as the reputation of this restaurant is growing and with a maximum of about 26 covers this family-run enterprise is fast becoming a 'destination' place of choice. When we have visitors from the UK we always take them there, and no-one has ever been disappointed.

Found by luck, only for a bite to eat, wow was fantastic 3 curs meal for a bargain price, great service, delicious well balanced eating. will go out of the way to go back there.