Le Petit Pecheur - Loireauxence

Given the mixed reviews can only review as found. Staying nearby and the short menu looked interesting. Turned out to be a good choice. Good and correct welcome a little before time but able to order aperitifs. Short special menu for St Valentine dinner, chose fois gras, and duo of langoustine and St Jacques; both good quality and well presented. Both ordered the local river fish sandre with Nantaise sauce, steamed and perfectly cooked served with rice and a little mixed veg. Other options were magret de canard and pave beef. Finished with profiterole filled with ice cream and rich choc sauce. Short wine list but good value, Loire rose was only E13 bottle and excellent. All in all well presented, service fine, and would certainly try again. In all E70 for 2 with drinks, coffee. Good location next to river and no traffic noise from adjacent road, although of course inside. Spotless toilets, room etc. Chef and team seemed a young outfit but clearly know what they are doing. This is not fine dining but good honest French cooking. Owner always correct and wife chatty (in French).

Having been tipped about Le Petit Pecheur by our lovely French Hosts, we arrived with positive expectations. The restaurant is located next to the rive with a very nice view. This certainly doesn't disappoint.However, our hopes were dashed by the very grumpy "maitre" who not only spoke in single syllables, but also did not make any attempt to make us feel welcome. This very mediocre service translated itself to the food, which was greasy (fried fish) and undercooked (meat). All in all, an overpriced and undervalued experience.

The location is great with a striking view of the Loire and the abbey of St Florent on the other side. However, once inside the service was cold and unsmiling to the point of rudeness (beyond the norm that one can expect in France) and the food mediocre at best. Sauces were dull and the "pintade en croute" (guineau fowl in a pastry crust) turned out to be deep fried in breadcrumbs and largely unseasoned like the accompanying chunky chips.The desserts were cold, stale and smothered in chantilly and tooth breaking sweets, The decor was tasteless and cheap (what's with the teddybears??) and the ambient music intrusive and unpleasant. Through it all never a smile from the owner / waiter. To be avoided.