À l'Approche de la Mer

The name of this restaurant may refer to the close bond between the chef and the sommelière (who are partners in life), or the association of food and wine – the couple’s respective passions, or to the two set menus served in two separate dining spaces. The first is a “tasting bar”, which rolls out dishes to share that tap into influences from far and wide (ceviche of croaker, ceviche juice and guacamole); the second is dedicated to fine dining with two tasting menus (and a third more concise score at lunchtime). The chef, who finds his inspiration in Normandy’s first-class fare and culinary h

When strolling down the main street of Houlgate, you will pass this spruce, slate-roofed villa. In a contemporary, cheerful interior depicted by wood and stone, local lad Maxime Lehoucq has grown into a talented chef. He works with seasonal Normandy ingredients (veal, free-range eggs and cream) together with fish supplied by his fisherman brother from Trouville. Maxime’s bistronomic signature and the occasional exotic note do the rest: flame grilled mackerel, beetroot and seaweed mayonnaise; Prieuré leg of poultry, gnocchi, creamy mushrooms, Comté cheese and hazelnuts. The menu, which changes