La Gavotine - Saint-Omer

I wish we had read the reviews on here before deciding to book as our experience mirrored many of the previous complaints. There are a couple of positives – we liked the garden and to be able to sit outside in Normandy is always a bonus. The home smoked salmon was tasty. But: Many items on the menu were not available – we were warned about the magret de canard and foie gras but that took a lot of choice from the menu. On ordering we found the poitrine de porc was also not available. As a non meat eater I accept my choices in French restaurants are limited but this is made worse when the starters and main courses are virtually the same. So after a smoked salmon starter I chose a salad terre et mer because the meat parts were not available and I asked if I could have extra langoustines instead. Not sure if I did but what I got was 4 langoustines and some more smoked salmon on a huge pile of virtually undressed lettuce (all the same type of tasteless green leaves) and a ¼ tomato. No lemon. Nothing else. And then to finish off my disappointment the langoustines tasted sandy. Very unpleasant and I only ate the salmon. When the waitress (possibly the owner) came to collect our plates she saw my mostly uneaten dish, took a small intake of breath and said nothing. I am sure I am not the only person to have not eaten this salad. For the meat eaters their meat was tasty, served with chips and a tiny bit of salad but the filet mignon portion was very small. But no sauces and no garnishes on the plates of any sort. Likewise the amount of bread we were given was tiny. Yet the pictures on their website show far more interesting dishes with well garnished salads. We didn’t bother with desserts and still ended up paying €127 for 4 starters, 4 mains, house wine and an aperitif each. At best I could say passable peasant food but at fine dining prices. We won’t be returning.

We can relate to the review of Stephanie Audeguy. Also arrived at 19:00 in an empty restaurant. We didn't feel welcome and the food was disappointing for us. We got this restaurant as a tip from the crepe restaurant. Would not go here again.

We found this little restaurant by chance. A good finding was super good and a friendly welcome Have fun again

We have just spent a great evening, a Norman estaminet as we love them, very clean and very pleasant service and especially a kitchen with delicious dishes from the entrance to the dessert, smoked salmon house, salmon coconut egg, grilled stock, cute gavotine and a glass of Swiss Norman ice, all these dishes are to take, a delight. The chef holds his very organized and very clean kitchen, he is not afraid to show it in full boom, congratulations. I'm in the business and speak with knowledge. Keep going.

We had dinner a week in early September. It was beautiful, dinner on this very cute terrace was really nice. We were very welcome. We love homemade fries! Thanks for that meal.