Bar des Promenades — Restaurant in Mortagne-au-Perche

We drove to Belleme, a hilltop village in the Perche which we had visited once before, and found it fairly deserted on a Friday in the last week of July, 2021. Strange. Where were all the people? Maybe the new Covid Scare of the Week had taken its toll. It was blustery too, some dark clouds with rain and then bright sun. We found a busy popular wine bar/restaurant near the market area in the old part of centre ville, a nice place. But inside it was warm, people with masks off chatting and eating, nice looking wine on the wall, a lot of British accents heard, but a sinking feeling...how long would it take. And eating in a cramped space inside...really? We found a table outside, but it was in the shadow. A couple next to us was champing at the bit, they couldn't get served. The waitress said "can't take your order only one person in the kitchen!" We thought OK, 45 minutes to eat if we're lucky, we're not going to make it. We left, discouraged, went down the hill, and saw an ardoise outside, it was a PMU and a Tabac, a local place. But it was sunny, and they had tables set up across the street. Its called "Les Promenades". We ordered, fast. The server brought me a great local pression called Velue, translates to "hairy". Fantastic hirsute brew, cold, local, artisanal. They took our order. Fast. I noticed on the ardoise, which translates to a blackboard, with the menu written on it, a little line that said "fait Maison" which means "home made". Dang it everything WAS home made. Especially the frites, the French fries (heavenly), the omelettes with herbs, the mouse au chocolate, cafe gourmet. We were blessed. Looking down the barrel of a cold gun that meant no lunch, we again found a simple place with excellent food. I think it was a family serving, a couple plus a young daughter, and a gifted chef, they were working hard, yelling out orders, HUSTLING...an excellent...

Visited this bar several times over the weekend. Enjoyed a Pool competition. Had pre dinner drinks on the Terrace over the road. A very typical French Bar....

Plate of the day was lovely as usual. 3 course 9.90€. The owners are always helpful a d very friendly. Excellent place to stop and watch the...