Buvette de la Halle - Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Late in St. Jean de Luz (thanks to SNCF TER) and after a short drink we wanted a fast meal relatively late in the evening (830 a.m.) so the Buvette as it was just around the corner of our accommodation. Sitting on old terrace furniture, we have ordered (as much from memory as from the chalkboard we could hardly see in the dark) from the waitress of the unforgettable character that has been there for some time. My oysters were quite good, surprisingly so for the time of the year and the weather. The following tuna was as excellent as I remember. The Rosè was local and the quirky refusal, more than 1 glass per diner remembered the Paris of my youth, meant that wine and water needed to alternate. If you are looking for sophistication, fine food and silver service, this is not the place for you. If you prefer excellent fresh fish and a bit of character, then come up, but bring cash as cards are not yet accepted.

If you want sophisticated gourmet dining in elegant surroundings, go elsewhere. However, if you want simple fresh fish in an authentic environment, you cannot be better. Seated in an aging terrace set, I joined my nephew with some excellent oysters, while my niece hurled a sturdy fish soup. After that we had fish and chips! My sardines were fresh.plentiful and grilled to perfection while the others in the freshest tuna you ever get. A few chips didn't get hungry! while a 1 litre carafe by Rosé stopped the thieves. The staff lived around the increasingly busy tables, but remained attentive when occasionally forgotten. Lived, loud, real and fresh local ingredients at reasonable prices. What else do you want?

The food is average. What disturbed us here was the incredibly rude service. Could not get an additional plate for the replacement on the table. An additional glass for water next to the wine glass is also denied.

On a recent trip to the area we wanted to visit St Jean de Luz and we are so glad we did. Lovely town and very civilized environment in the outdoor cafe. In fact, they did not even open the indoor dining room. Even though...it was late afternoon during the middle of the week, we had to wait for a table but not too long. We were seated at a 2 top table and the small waitstaff worked hard to manage all the tables which were filled to capacity. We ordered beer, wine and snacks and, of course, bread. We ordered the tomato salad and fish chowder before choosing the charcuterie for a main course. Lovely meal served in a delightful outdoor setting. The perfect weather added to the ambiance and we thoroughly enjoyed a leisurely afternoon here. Not too many opportunities with our busy schedules for a relaxing lunch but this is the perfect place to do so.

The smell of their grilled Sardines is too much to resist but unfortunately our meal there was a massive disappointment. The food took forever to come, the sardines were undercooked and quite unpleasant and the waitress quite the rudest waitress we have ever met. We...were so appalled we called by the next day to complain to the owner. He didn't seem surprised that the food was poor but he was upset by the behaviour of the waitress. An apology would have helped!