A great local corner restaurant, serving local, fresh cuisine. Our first visit there, we sat…read moreoutside. Luckily we came early because apparently the place was fully booked and we did not have reservations.
Fine, we LOVED sitting outside. Of course, speaking little French, with one member who was trying to avoid anything of the internal organ variety (kidneys, foie gras) gave pause, but between our fingers pointing, using poor French and then struggling with the good natured waitress, the chef arrived! Apparently he spoke English and heard about these silly Americans out front. He helped translate his menu and we were off. Oh, he also recommended a wonderful wine with our dinner, Morgon 2009 "Cote du Py" which became my favorite wine in Nantes.
My white fish was perfectly done. My friends were all enjoying their dinners also when a neighboring table asked how we found out about La Raffinerie, since "this is where the locals go, but not too well known"
Well, a local recommended it we said (Plan B restaurant down the street from La Raffinerie in fact). So thumbs up from the locals.
I recall being so full we passed on dessert, but we did come back a few days later. As we walked in, the waitress took a wide eyed look at us, and asked "You have reservations, please?"
"Yes we do!"
"Good!" she said, relieved.
This time she joked with us, ribbing us because we kept teasing her. The chef came out again, and made suggestions.
The scallops in goat cheese were "amazing"
My salmon was perfect.
This night we ordered dessert and it was worth it.
The first night we could not get the credit card machine to work. Seems our card was missing the "code" that their machines took. But the next time we came, we showed them how to run the card, not without some humor and teasing.
So you are all welcome!
This place will be one of our favorite memories of Nantes, a local corner restaurant, serving simple, delicious food, well prepared, with care and with warmth.
