Les Toques - Colmar

Colmar has a lot of visitors and we were looking for somewhere pleasant away from the bustle. We saw this restaurant down a quiet side street and on closer inspection saw there was the choice to sit outside around the side of the building. It...was lunch so we ordered one of the locally famous savoury tarts. Absolutely brilliant food and excellent service at a good price. Well pleased.

The two of us (S and myself) were out strolling the streets of this beautiful city and stumbled upon this gem. The decor is refreshingly simple (although tastefully decorated for the Easter Celebrations which are about to begin here in Colmar). We were warmly greeted...the a young lady (our server) and offered to sit pretty much where we liked. The place is not huge (perhaps seating for sixty) and at this time of the day only 4 other patrons (1430 hrs). The menu looked quite extensive but we noted the soup and thought we would each order that and a Tarte Flambé to share. S settled on a dry Riesling and I on a local artisan beer called Sainte Cru (delicious flowery wheat beer). The Sweet Potato and Lemongrass Soup was excellent accompanied with a fresh roll; perfectly balanced flavours, hot and surprisingly plentiful. The Tarte Flambé with mushrooms, lardon (ham), cheese, and onion was also the perfect amount of food and drink. This is not fast food and is bordering on high end, but absolutely perfect for what we wanted. The bathroom was spotlessly clean; Vanilla Oils for air freshener and cloth hand towels beautiful. Now it may seem odd that I comment on the toilet area but in these parts this is very refreshing! If you are looking for a affordable classy lunch meal that is excellently prepared food, great surroundings and outstanding service I highly recommend Les Toques!

The service was not really good, and the escape we ordered was cold. we did not even send it back, but twice. and the personal did not know what was wrong.

Colmar, we had expected a great meal, but what we got was only average. I opened with a pumpkin soup that was as simple and tasty as the one I make home, with some cut French brot and chèvre upstairs. good, but nothing special. my main was bark meat in a Bernaise sauce that was good, except it was not a particularly good cut of bark meat, and was somehow hard at its ends. the small sides of cauliflower and vegetables were good, but forgotten. and the local pinot noir, at 35e, was an overpriced and forgotten table wine. it wasn't bad, but we didn't want to go back.

We came to dinner. eating was amazing. really inviting service. the ambiente was very cold. a fantastic experience!