LA CASA DEL GUSTO

Restaurants nearby

• Fontevraud L'Ermitage★ Michelin Saint Lazare Priory is located in the heart of Fontevraud Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monastic complexes. The former’s cloisters have been morphed into a restaurant by designer Patrick Jouin and architect Sanjit Manku, who have staged a marriage between monastic minimalism and untreated materials to set the scene for Thibaut Ruggeri’s cooking. The latter, who hails from Megève and who won the Bocuse d’Or 2013, learnt the trade with iconic culinary names from Michel Guérard to Georges Blanc. A champion of good food and biodynamic farming, local produce takes pride of place (Racan poultry, An19.1km
• Fossé Saint AngeBib Johann (front of house) and Collis (chef) spoil their diners rotten in this culinary landmark established in a pretty 17C village built by Cardinal Richelieu. The period varnished wooden façade leads into a warm, friendly bistro interior that is perfectly suited to the establishment’s focus on good food and good vibes. The chef keeps things simple with a regularly-changing menu of wholesome dishes that are firmly rooted in the seasons, albeit spiced up with the odd exotic touch, such as an Asian-inspired guinea fowl raviole. Similar care is lavished on the knockout desserts.18.2km
• Auberge Pom'Poire★ Michelin This contemporary restaurant surrounded by orchards has a bright, welcoming, clean-lined dining area that looks onto the surrounding countryside. Full of verve and creativity, Bastien Gillet's colourful, zesty cuisine is as subtle as it is finely judged, both in terms of the aromas and the textures; his dishes, laden with top-notch farm produce from the region, are rife with flavours. And the detail to seal the deal: the dishes are served in delightful crockery that is handmade locally. The menu is liable to change daily, in accordance with the chef's inspiration. Suffice to say, this restaura40.9km
• L'EssentielBib Nestled at the foot of the castle, this beautiful tuffeau-stone house sports charming dining rooms (parquet floors, exposed rafters and bare stone walls) and peaceful little patios. Chef Anthony Vaillant crafts food in the zeitgeist, jazzed up by a scattering of deft creative touches: start with a medley of asparagus and green peas, enhanced by a citrus fruit flavoured dressing followed by fabulously fresh cod flanked by a curry sauce and velvety mashed potato. Extremely attentive service. Regional tipples take pride of place on the wine list. An enjoyable culinary experience!30.0km
• La Table By Mi-K'LBib Mickaël Pihours (ex-chef of Michelin-starred Le Gambetta) has opened this contemporary, wood-rich eatery. The dining room occupies two levels, with a chef’s table facing the open kitchen. This “cantine plaisir”, as Pihours himself dubs it, bears the veteran chef’s hallmark: hearty dishes to share that tick all the boxes, paired with side dishes garnished with aromatic herbs. Premium cuts of meat to share and offal are also available on a guest-star basis. The menu changes every week.30.3km
• Auberge du XIIème Siècle★ Michelin Balzac was a regular guest at the Château de Saché, located right next door to this Auberge housed in a half-timbered building that has retained all its authentic charm behind its ivy-covered façade. Exposed beams, tiled floors, a fireplace and more contemporary tableware: this pair – chef Kevin Gardien and Stéphanie Marques – know how to look after their guests. The spotlight is on local produce from the Loire: poultry from Ingrandes-de-Touraine, trout from a fish farm in Langeais, saffron from Cheillé, cheese from Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine. The chef's cuisine is modern, but not obsessed with 43.7km
• L'ÉpineBib The name of the restaurant means "blackthorn" – a thorny shrub or tree commonly found in the hedgerows of France. Its fruit (sloes) can be turned into sloe gin. Formerly a school dating back to 1866, the premises are tastefully decorated throughout: exposed ceiling beams, large windows giving onto a tree-lined terrace, designer lighting and works of art. The chef offers a seasonal menu served in several courses that celebrates local produce and artisans.40.3km
• Les Jardiniers Along the old railway line, which is now a greenway, this charming bistro occupies a restored winegrower's house with exposed stonework and beams, an open kitchen and a pewter-topped counter at the entrance. A large kitchen garden and a truffle farm supply the establishment with fruit and vegetables. Formerly sous-chef to Thibaut Ruggeri at Fontevraud le Restaurant, Belgian chef Martin Bolaers makes the most of the vegetable garden to create wholesome and creative cuisine in which plants play the starring role: a starter dubbed "L'Instant T", for example, is improvised using vegetables picked 20.5km
• Les Années 30 This restaurant may be named after the 1930s but that's where the connection to that period ends. The decor is chic and trendy, with walls in hues of terracotta and verdigris and retro dining chairs. Diners will love the appetising cuisine based on fresh ingredients. Tables on the terrace in fine weather.21.0km
• L'Océanic The ocean breeze blows as far inland as Chinon! As its name suggests, this restaurant gives seafood pride of place. The chef prepares very fresh fish, adding a dash of originality, with a pinch of spice here and a hint of sweet and sour there. Good value for money.21.1km

Includes Michelin / Black Pearl / guide picks (reference quality, no prices); data from Overture, Michelin Guide and others.