L'Etape Gourmande - Lys-Haut-Layon

Excellent quality of cutlery and glasses which gave the right impression to start. The food lived up to the expectation with fantastic food for all. Lots of thought and preparation put into each dish. Top class. Definitely would recommend. Our teenage kids lived the food.

My friends and I chose to try this restaurant whilst visiting the Loire Valley and We were really not disappointed! The food was amazing and Michelin star quality with a fantastic presentation it was truly one of our best culinary experience! Our waiter (sorry I forgot his name) was super professional, yet friendly and engaging and made our meal experience even better. Congratulations to the chef and thank you to the lovely gentleman!

Ultra-charming, gourmet rusticity. Delicious food. Welcome fire on a cold day. Gracious host and hostess. Each dish more delicious than the last. Didn’t feel like a tourist place even though it’s only a few minutes drive from Villandry.

Our first choice was closed on a Thursday, and we had not visited this restaurant for over 6 years, It has changed hands, and the food was delicious. All four of us had the menu, which was smaller enough to indicate that everything was cooked fresh. Highlights were the chocolate dessert, and the skate wings not in that order obviously

The previous time we went to this restaurant it was full. This time, we were the only customers so we were a little concerned but we need not have been. It was holiday time and everyone had gone skiing. The atmosphere is a little 'cool ' but the welcome is not. The music is very soft, gentle and non-intrusive and the tables are well spaced out so you are not cheek by jowl with other diners. The napkins are cloth, always a good sign and the glasses are wine glasses, not tumblers. The food is excellent; well presented and in good portion sizes and at 13.90€ for the Menu de Jour of three courses, is really good value. There is of course, a full menu a la carte if you so wish. For our main course we both had the boeuf Bourguignon which was wonderfully tender and tasty with various vegetables to accompany it. See photo. One minus point: no pichets/jugs of wine and only one red and white wine offered on a 'per glass ' basis. Of course, there is a full wine list but not everyone wants a whole bottle. Overall, a 'must return to ' restaurant, perhaps in the evening next time although lunch time is excellent. Incidentally, it is closed on Wednesdays so it is probably best to call first.