La Tour Duguesclin - Grand-Fougeray

As you approach the restaurant within its own grounds you can't help but appreciate the surroundings and the sight of the tower in front of the restaurant's windows. You can be forgiven for thinking you may well be in for a treat and that you made the right choice to stop here for lunch. They say all good things must come to an end and they certainly did once you took a table in this establishment. Firstly, it took absolutely ages for someone to come and take the order, my partner wondered whether the Marie Celeste crew ended up here and were trapped within the walls. After the order was taken another twenty minutes or so passed before the waitress arrived with the canapes and the wine that we ordered. The canapes for want of a better word were two insipid pieces of bread or mangled blini type offerings with what appeared to be a tiny dried slice of duck with chopped kidneys that had a disgusting smell of urine that clearly had not been washed through. We didn't dare touch it, the food that eventually followed was supposed to have been the fresh fish of the day (Sea Bass) I'm not a fisherman but you had to be in a coma not to have noticed it was far from fresh, I was surprised it didn't walk out of the restaurant to the morgue. For me, the food was well below standard, probably one of the most disappointing lunches I have ever had. Sorry, but not for me.

They were very hard to pin down to make a reservation but we were finally able to visit. The food was very nice if a little stayed. The service was polite and efficient. But thank god my husband speaks French as they spoke no English. A little austere in the restaurant itself due to its age more than anything.

Sadly the food is mediocre, and our steaks were overcooked, we asked for 'a point ' and they were 'bien cuit ', when we said this we were told that was how it was. my Salmon was dry, and this was the 24 euro menu, The menu has not changed in ten years.

Lousy weather for motorway driving, we went the pretty route . Got a bit lost from Caen to home and ended up at lunchtime in Grand Fougeray. Circled the town to come across La Tour. What a delightful find. Even in the drizzle, it looked a lovely spot. The food was excellent, albeit apple orientated (this is apple country! , friendly service and reasonably priced. The one downer was there was very little heat and it was pithering cold outside. Had to keep my jacket on, as did a number of other diners. However, well worth a visit and we recommend it.

Very good food and a lovely outlook to the ancient tower some 30-40 metres away from our terrace location. Very warm welcome and lovely gardens to walk with the dog after. Absolutely recommend what was an excellent lunch.