Auberge du Cheval Blanc

Always glad that the Auberge du Cheval Blanc was open. Easy local eating with family. We visited here several times during our fortnight in the area.

Surprising that a beautiful place like Sauveterre doesn't make more of its opportunities. This was the only place we found to eat and by the standards of south-west France it isn't special. The decor left a lot to be desired. One of our group who...drank tea found even that highly expensive. Really it was our one disappointment of the holiday. I am told that there is a better place in the valley run by an English couple but we didn't manage to find it.

We stopped for lunch in the magnificent medieval town of Sauveterre de Bearn. We found L'Auberge du Cheval Blanc open in the main square. It's a nice casual restaurant with good service and seemed busy with locals. However our lunch wasn't great. I had the...menu du jour which was an okay charcuterie plate, a very uninspired paella du maison, and an okay gateau basque. I talked my husband into the more expensive menu after which I was sorry. He started with Coquille St Jacques (prepared and presented in an amateur manner), magret de canard (just okay) , and a nice dessert of russe). Based on this experience I sadly would not go back or recommend.

It was a rainy miserable day afternoon when we visited Sauveterre-de-Bearn. It was a market day, vendors in the main square did not have much business, so they were packing up. We were looking for a place for lunch, because of the rain we did...not feel like looking around so we just settled in Auberge du Cheval Blanc. It has outside tables. It would bve nice on a sunny day because it has good open view of the tower and main square. As we walked in, there was a team of ruby (I think) players singing along at the bar (we saw them throwing ball on the streets and bar hopping earlier). The waitress said one of them was getting married or something. So it was pretty lively for a while. Thety sat us down further inside away from the merrymakers. it was a nicely Basque decorated place. The waitress was very nice and managed to communicate with us. We had brochette of shrimp and scallop, pan fried merlu (I think it is hake in English) with chorizo sausage. Both were fresh, nicely cooked and sweet, with nice touch of presentation. The dessert apple crumble with ice cream was excellent, the strawberry and pistachio ice cream was also good. Thr price was also reasonable, It is a nice find in a relatively remote location (not much review on restaurants in town). We really enjoyed it and recommend Auberge du Cheval Blanc, especially on a sunny day sitting outside!

At the chance of a passage in this village we find ourselves in this restaurant. correct kitchen, well-presented dishes, good cocktail but note one can high because nothing special. Correct and friendly service. The kitchen adjacent to the terrace should be more discreet.......