L'Ardoise Brissac Loire Aubance — Restaurant in Angers

I discovered L'Ardoise Brissac while looking for restaurants which could possibly cater for my wife who is coeliac. I received a very cordial and encouraging reply email from Maxime who reassured me that they could easily cater for my wife’s dietary restrictions and could adapt their menu to suit her.

Upon arrival, we were met by a man who turned out to be the owner. A little dour in attitude (our opinion) but pleasant enough. We again explained my wife’s coeliac condition and he reassured us the chef could manage everything. The restaurant was configured in a manner to allow for 18 covers. As well as the owner, there was a lady serving tables (she was not Maxime) and it appeared there were three in the kitchen.

The food was good but not outstanding. The wine, as recommended by the owner, was excellent. However, when we got to dessert, after discussing options with the owner which again included commentary on my wife’s condition, we both settled for the Crèmet de coulis d'abricot et abricot frais.

The lady server brought both desserts. The owner was engaged in conversation at another couple’s table. Both desserts were presented with some kind of crumb sprinkled on top which immediately caused us concern. Once the owner finished his conversation we attracted his attention. As soon as he saw my wife’s dessert, he apologised and took it away. He came back, apologised again and said the chef would make a new one without the crumb. This was a major mistake on the part of the restaurant. We made it very clear to the owner that if my wife ate gluten, even in the smallest quantity, she would be seriously ill and in a lot of pain. Her body would go to great lengths to get rid of the gluten any way it can! A highly unpleasant, lengthy situation which would leave my wide exhausted and physically bruised for a number of days.

The owner came back with the replacement dessert. A short time later he reappeared and offered my wife a small ‘lemon type sorbet’. Perhaps 2 teaspoons in size. If anything, this was a somewhat misplaced gesture!

Having been so impressed, initially through my emails with Maxime and then reassured by the owner when we arrived and throughout the evening, this issue over the dessert really did leave us with such a negative feeling with regard the overall experience. They certainly took their eye off the ball but how did this happen with so many staff and so few tables to serve? Was it arrogance, over confidence or something else? The French do take a pride in their ability to cook, and there is no doubt most are pretty good at it, but to provide customer service at a high level by putting your customers first requires more than just an ability to cook! My wife’s condition is not a faddy diet – it is not a lifestyle choice. Coeliac disease is a very real problem for her which she would rather not have to deal with but she had no choice. The restaurant chose to cater for her. They could have said no and that would have been it but they took on the responsibility and failed. We were fortunate that the offending element on the dessert was very visible which, in some ways, makes it even less acceptable.

There is no defence for what happened that evening. Perhaps the owner may wish to reply and offer up some sort of excuse. If he does, he would be wasting his time as I have accurately recounted our experience for what it was. Hopefully, he will choose to learn from the experience and benefit from it with the aim of improving his service and experience for future customers.

By the way, we did not ask form any reduction in the bill nor were we offered any form of reduction by the owner. We paid the bill in full and even included an acceptable tip as we felt that was fair for the rest of the staff. We left knowing that we could never be confident...

Une épicerie fine et restauration dans un petit village renommé par son chateau son petit marché son église ses petites ruelles une halte incontournable quand on vient de Paris ou d'ailleurs. Pour le plaisir du matin prendre un petit café fait sur mesure avec un service de qualité accompagné d'un petit biscuit dégusté dans un des fauteuils club au milieu des produits et articles à vendre sur place un moment inoubliable. L'épicerie offre une belle palette de produits locaux ou fabrications artisanale de la région pour satisfaire les plus exigeants palets. Une cave à vins et bons nombres de produits bio avec une connaissance parfaite de ses vignobles et de ses productions du terroir de la part du caviste. Un déjeuner sur la terrasse côté jardin aux menus très recherchés finement et qualitativement rare de nos jours un niveau professionnaliste comme on les recherche on qu'on les aime. Soupes chaude froide faite maison aux recherches des gouts et saveurs même à Paris on ne les trouve pas. Des plats d'entrées froides chaudes un autre art de recherche Des desserts à l'identique . Tout dans la simplicité et dans la qualité de produits. Le printemps est arrivé . Je renouvelle ma confiance...

Nous y sommes retournes avec un plaisir immense,comme je l avais note sur un autre site ,c est une belle découverte,le propriétaire est charmant,vous accueille de façon très agréable,c est un passionné et il prend le temps de vous expliquer sa carte les vins aussi qui vous accompagnent avec bonheur,le service est donc vraiment sympathique,on s y sent bien car quand on est épicuriens comme nous croyez moi on est aux anges ici,la cuisinière est fantastique remplie d énergie comme l autre fois et la passion de la cuisine se reflète dans l assiette ,et oui quand on veut bien faire,une carte pas trop grande car il n y a que des produits frais ,moi je suis fan du risotto qui est divin et mon compagnon le porc cuit à basse température est extra et aujourd'hui le dessert j ai teste le moelleux au chocolat hmmm un délice,alors surtout arrêtez vous et vous ne le regretterez pas vraiment il faut faire travailler des personnes comme eux qui mettent tout leur coeur dans ce beau projet,encore merci à eux au propriétaire à qui on souhaite le meilleur et à la charmante cuisinière qui continue de nous faire aimer la vraie cuisine, gros regrets d être un peu loin pour ne pas revenir .....bonne...