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New Beginnings - Starters
Every time I visit Parnac I drive past this restaurant, slowly, trying to spot any signs of life. Nothing. Google underlines my sadness in red: fermeture définitive. One... read more YouTube video hints at better times. And then the Mairie posts that Au Bon Vivre is set to reopen. Daily checking gets me no closer to when. I hope that I’m there when it opens. Yesterday I was driving past, slowly. And I spotted signs of life. I stopped. There is a menu, new today. As we approach the door it is opened by a man, the new patron, sporting a beaming smile. He tells us of his years bringing joy through food, of his team, of his desire to bring new life into the village and to bring people together. He is joyful because doing what you love is never a chore. We’ll see you around 7 then!
Mains
As we walk the few minutes to the restaurant we are filled with nervous excitement. A long-awaited experience is just around the corner and we wonder whether we will be disappointed. Too late. No turning back. We are led to our table as if we are long lost friends. Aperitifs are served as we choose our meal from a selection of four starters, four mains and four desserts. This length of menu makes me happy. A brief selection prepared with fresh and local produce. Even the drinks menu reflects a thoughtfully curated list of regional beers, ciders and wines. Our nervousness is giving way to hope as we order.
Our starters are a velvety squash soup and a warm goat’s cheese salad. Dana hates soup but loved mine. Dana’s starter allowed me to understand, for the first time, that there is a place in my life for a goat’s cheese as good as this. For her, Cheeseburger and Chips. My entrecôte was served with chips, salad and two beautiful sauces. Meltingly good local beef cooked, lovingly, to perfection. A chocolate and nut brownie and an apple tart to finish. Or to finish us off?
Portions were good, service was attentive and the food, chosen and prepared with love, was utterly beautiful. The bill didn’t make us sad, but leaving did.
Desserts
Every time I leave Parnac I feel a little sad. I’m back to England in a couple of days and I know that I’m going to miss the opportunity to visit this restaurant. The team are all committed to bringing joy to the village, and the whole area, through great food prepared and presented with passion and enthusiasm.
Pay them a visit. Don’t thank me. Thank them. Understand that love makes their food, and our life, better.
358darrelg
22/10/2023
Rural, friendly, hospitable restaurant, great food, parking, people. Rural et très sympa - Arrived late, greeted with a smile, great menu, relaxed evening meal.
We arrived late, the hostess was very nice and welcoming, also patient with our bad frennch. The meal was... read more delicious, and the price not too high. The couple are french, young and have the experience of travelling overseas.
Nous sommes arrivé tard, la hostesse etait très sympa/gentille et patiente avec notre mauvaise franÇais. Le repas etait delicieux et le prix pas trop haut.
Le couple sont francaises, jeune et ont l'experience des voyages etrangeres.
DOTSING
21/07/2015
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Peter H
