Hôtel Restaurant la Gare, Commequiers

I did it at last!  18 years in France and I tasted my first frogs’ legs today at Hôtel Restaurant la Gare, in Commequiers!  Divine! I love the old-world retro charm of this hotel that dates back to 1890.  Monsieur & Madame Pineau give you the warmest welcome possible, whether it’s for a meal or just a coffee at the bar.

Frogs Legs in Garlic

The food is delicious and it’s a chance to try out some traditional dishes that I never cook myself, like tête de veau (calf’s head), rognons (kidneys), anguilles (eels).    If you’re not feeling quite so adventurous, there is always the delicious duckling on offer, or knuckle of lamb with mogettes (Vendean haricot beans).

A delicious Café Gourmand

My friend Isa & I rounded off lunch with a café gourmand - 3 mini desserts with a coffee - this way we had a wee taste of everything without feeling as though we’d over-indulged!

Rue de la Morinière,  tel 02 51 54 80 38 for reservations, no website for the moment.  Low season, closed on a Monday, otherwise open for lunch every day and dinner on Sat night, RESERVE IN ADVANCE!

High season, closed on a Monday, open the rest of the week for lunch & dinner, RESERVE!

If you want to work off the calories,  cross the road to the Vélo-Rail, (website in French only)  pedal-powered carts on the old railway lines, 2 hour circuits for up to 4/5 people.  RESERVE in high season!  We got off lightly ‘cos it was closed today…  Instead, we went for a walk around Commequiers Castle, roll on the medieval festival!