Recently on a trip to Sluis in the Netherlands, I ate at Sergio Herman's flagship Oud Sluis…read morerestaurant. Upon getting the bread and butter, something seemed familiar. It was similar to the butter at Pierre Gagnaire and L'Arpege in Paris. Turns out it is the same great butter from the master Jean Yves Bordier. His old technique of churning butter in old wooden barrels creating some of the yellowest, almost cheese like butters, Ive ever seen. I guess it's no surprise that Chefs like Sergio Herman, Alain Passard and Pierre Gagnaire get there product from here. It is pretty phenomenal. I wish I lived nearby and try some of his great sounding compound butters. I guess the next time Im in France a trip here might have to be on the books.

From the owner: Un panorama fabuleux Dans cette ancienne maison familiale se retrouvent fins gourmets et amoureux…read morede la mer. Perché sur la cité d'Alet , un panorama tout à fait exceptionnel vous plonge dans la contemplation. L'anse Solidor et sa tour, l'estuaire de la Rance ou encore les plages de Dinard retiennent l'attention à peine relevé les yeux de son assiette. C'est peut-être de ce paysage fabuleux que Denis Gerbert tire son inspiration pour élaborer une cuisine raffinée à base des produits frais de la région. La Cotriade façon corderie n'a pas son pareil et le poisson du marché agrémenté de petits légumes ne peut que ravir les papilles des gastronomes.

We always stop in Coutances after geeting off the ferry, whether to sleep, eat or shop. The cheese…read moreis wonderful!! We stayed here once, it has a great bistro, which is all you can eat, or there is the rather elegant restaurant. Roughing it as we do, when we stay in a hotel, we went out to eat. We've eaten in so many cafes and bars. One of my favourites is Salade Nicoise - gosh I'm getting hungry!! this hotel is rather nice indeed. You must see the cathedral and the gardens, and get the local cheese - it's very calorific.

Excellent for the jazz festival in May. Just a stroll from town. Attentive staffread more