Cafe De La Forge - Etoges

We walked in to the empty restaurant. My partner chose a cake from the display to have with her coffee, but the owner told her she couldn’t have it because “they are only for the restaurant” ? Which was empty. We sat down outside with our coffee, which was not good coffee. Outside was very dirty, chairs clearly not cleaned for years. After a while we decided to eat because we wanted something light as we had a meal booked in the evening. It was 1pm but we were told we couldn’t eat because it was too late! The restaurant was still empty.

What a gem this restaurant is! Authenticly local, simple and honest. No frills, just great tasting, well prepared hearty dishes. Reminded me of all the dishes I had as a child growing up in the French contryside (andouillette, gigot d'agneau, faux fillet, potee,... The menu had a few items crossed off, some added on,.. depending on what the owner (or chef fancied making We sat at one of the two-top tables which happened to be next to the smoldering open raised log burner, and traditional wrought iron flu. This gave the room a cosy smoky aroma, which on a rather grey showery day was very welcome and homely There is a good wine selection, very reasonably priced given some of the chateaux' selections available in the area There is a starter buffet, filled with beatiful choices to load your plate with, from cheeses, to pate, to cucmber salads in vinaigrette, mackerel, olives,.... the list goes on! Mains were prepared by the one-man band owner/bartender/chef (I am assuming, but certainly on the night , who to my delight cooked to the faint sound of some Metallica and Scorpion classics which we could just hear from the kitchen! I had the gigot d'agneau, a loverly tender piece of lamb. My wife went for the Jambon grille. We were given a big platter of chips and chargrilled vegetables to accompany our dishes. We were both very happy with our meals We couldn't manage dessert, but it also looked like a great selection including creme brulees, fruit, and a huge assortment of cheese to choose from. Next time!! We were staying in a Chateau a few metres up the road. We dined there the previous evening, on their taster menu (an a la carte starter there was EU38! . I can honestly say we had a much more enjoyable meal at the Restaurant de la Fourge, and enjoyed the hearty food and friendly welcome more, for less than a quarter of the price! Dinner at La Fourge cost less than £50 including wine! (EU15.50 set menu! A special mention to the owner who was very welcoming, and even lent us a couple of wine glasses (as none were available in our room and opened a takeaway bottle of wine for us the previous night after we had visited for a drink, trusting us to retun them when we dined the following evening. You are a gentleman! We will certainly visit again when we are next in the region!

Good vaiue for the money. definite local color--we were the only table there other than a group of locals who were drinking beer on the patio. service was good and food was fine--nothing to wow you but solid village eats.

A restaurant that remained in its juice and that's what makes its charm. A generous and quality kitchen. We go there every time we come on holiday to Etoges to buy our champagne in the house Michel Thomas. Gilles and Odette are nice and adorable people. Thank you.

Good discovery. We drink well, we eat as we need. and above all, a pleasant exchange with gillies, the boss, on history. Just. a good time spent in the regions of france, which disconnects us from all, and makes us share with each other.