Breakfast in France: Saint-Jean d’Angély

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

Last evening’s meal, a long day driving and a pineau nightcap mean that we sleep well in this very simple but acceptible hotel. Breakfast is basic and typically French. The Hotel is called ” Hôtel Sweet Hôtel” is cheap, has parking, is very basic and clean… we needed nothing more. We get ready for the day, find the breakfast room and sit to eat….

then I notice the photos on the walls that have been taken in the town, they echo the same ancient buildings but have been taken in a different era, I adore things like this, I think I’m a secret History buff because I love to see what changes in an area or what endures in it’s original form.

I wonder about the reasons that some are gone and imagine the history of what has go on inside these walls, down these streets and how people lived and did business.

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

France:Restaurant Review:Saint Jean d’ Angely,Restaurant le Mareyeur

With a few bottles of Pineau des Charentes sampled via a “degustation” and percured minutes before the shop’s closing time, our thoughts now turn to dinner. It’s late in the day, we have traveled far and the bar up the street with the drunken patrons isn’t an inviting prospect. There’s a place on the opposite side of the square that looks rather touristy, but it will do.

Restaurant le Mareyeur is indeed a tourist trap, and even speaking my best French, my accent was quickly detected and without a word an English language menu was placed before me. Not what I personally prefer since the aim of any trip to France is to increase my French and not reduce it… but oh well. I made the waitress smile when later when after reading the menu in English I ordered the items in French… she treated me more French after that which I appreciated. Himself was driving, so had one wine with his meal… happy to not be behind the wheel, I indulged in a Pineau…

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

Hubby ordered salmon appetizer and then Mussels cooked in white wine and I ordered Salmon with Pineau Sauce,

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

Dessert for me was what the menu painfully called “ turned apple pie” but was in fact a very French “ Tarte Tartin” …

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

(Photos © Kiwidutch)

Hubby went for his firm favourite ”Mousse au Chocolat (Chocolate Mousse).

All in all a very good meal indeed. The staff were friendly and the food was well cooked and well presented. For what I had considered as a not so good choice because of it’s very touristic looks, turned out far better than expected and it was a very nice surprise. We left happy and replete, and stomachs satisfied, would have no problems to eat here again.

(Photos © Kiwidutch)