L'Artenset - Saint-Martial-d'Artenset

...And there I was, expecting a bar. l'Artenset is a pinnacle of excellence in an area that ought to abound with good restaurants, and, according to them, doesn't. There are many restos, mostly of barely average quality and lacking imagination. Imagination abounds the decor,...the food, all in a very agreeable package. The Pigs Trotters were excellent, and the Beef Cheeks delicious. I wasn't allowed to see the wine list, though of course I could go to the web site. Maybe I won't, we were being treated after all. Amusingly, this restaurant seems to have no identification signage outside. Don't drive by.

After chatting with Mathieu the chef, he thought up a menu just for us. We had a deconstructed prawn cocktail to start, then giant grilled gambas with seared scallops. Dessert was a plate full of chocolate desserts. We had a marvellous meal. Marie and Mathieu...do a great job. Very welcoming and reasonable prices. There is ample parking.

What a pleasant surprise in a tiny rural village. Great food, fabulous atmosphere and very pleasant staff. Many thanks for a great lunch.

Trad French food with a modern vibe. Shiny happy attentive staff in a modern clean and stylish setting. After all eating out isn't all about the food, is it? Worth polishing your shoes for! So many places around here are not!

Finding a good quality restaurant in the Dordogne that offers something other than Magret and Confit can be difficult. L'Artenset combines very good cooking with an imaginative menu. The young owners are very friendly and helpful and alwaysoffer excellent service.