Le Bistro de l'Absynthe — Restaurant in Poitiers

We have visited this restaurant frequently over the last 8 years, 3-4 times a year. It has become a bit of a tradition when ever we go to our holiday home in the area. The food has always been excellent, and the prices are very reasonable. One of the main people serving during this time is a blonde lady who is from the South West of England originally. On one of our visits she did explain that for most Brits she chooses to only speak French and let them struggle, when she feels they don't deserve any help. Unfortunately she does not have a good memory for faces (or maybe she does which makes this even worse). On our last few visits she's decided to treat us to this approach, which I feel is unnecessary and just spiteful considering she could help us when trying to traverse the menu choices. She was still more than happy to take any tips offered, I suspect thinking she was so smart and the bloody Brits can educate themselves or just struggle on. Obviously this isn't the biggest deal in the world, and it goes without saying we'll start a new tradition some place else. But I wanted to let all those who just struggled on bumbling through the menu that the lady stood waiting for your order was having a little chuckle to herself. But like I said the food is nice, although the daily menu is pretty constant ( steak, steak tartare, or a n other dish. Then profiteer rolls, or a fruit/ ice-cream dish). Anyway that's my lot, just thought you might like to when...

This restaurant is a true gem! From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warm smiles and professional service that instantly made me feel at home. I opted for the three-course menu and was delighted with every dish. The starter, a crémeux with bacon, was a revelation. The texture was incredibly smooth and the flavors were perfectly balanced and well-seasoned. It was clear that a lot of care had gone into its creation. For my main course, I chose the beef tartare. Again, the seasoning was spot on, though personally, I would have preferred a bit more spice. However, that's simply down to my individual taste and doesn't detract from the quality of the dish. The profiteroles for dessert were the perfect sweet ending to the meal. Each dish was expertly portioned, leaving us satisfied but not overly full. And the homemade quality of the food shone through in every bite. Beyond the delicious food, the service was truly exceptional. The staff were attentive and friendly, creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. And to top it all off, the value for money was outstanding. If you're looking for a restaurant with delicious homemade food, friendly service, and a cozy atmosphere, look no further. Highly...

Accueil rapide et relativement sympatique. Décor chaleureux, ambiance bistrot traditionnel, on s'attend à du simple et bon. Mais en fait, ce n'est que simple. La cuisine est affligeante : frites surgelées en petite quantité, accompagnées d'un vulgaire pot de salade assaisonné à la Saladette (vinaigrette industrielle), quatre petits morceaux de pièce du boucher qui se battent en quatuor sous une tranche de beurre maître d'hôtel surgelée annoncée comme une sauce béarnaise sur le menu. J'aurais préféré de la Bénédicta. Vin servi avec dépôt. J'aurais préféré des pots de vin. Pana cotta vanille aux fruits rouges s'avérant être une crème pâtissière outrancièrement sucrée et à l'arôme vanille, sur laquelle est abondamment déposée une pincée de fraises (noyées dans une espèce de sirop Tesseire : j'aurais préféré un diabolo) dont on ne sait pas exactement s'il s'agit de Gariguettes (qui sont très bonnes en ce moment) ou de tomates (ce n'est pas encore la saison) tant elles n'avaient pas de saveur. J'ai failli apprécier la branche d'Aloe Vera en décoration sur ce dessert plutôt joli au demeurant, et finalement extrêmement décevant. Le prix était exorbitant bein que "Quand c'est mauvais, c'est toujours cher." : 2 menus midi + 4 verres de rouge + 2 demis de Stella = 63€. Conclusion : ce restaurant fait du mal au manger. On fait pas du mal au manger. Amateurs de bon...