Le Nathlo — Restaurant in Rochefort

This is easy one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. Anywhere in the world. Located in a small town in France. A good number of tables inside and a few outside close to the street (it's a quiet road though). A sunny evening, so we sat outside, our Bulldog was very welcome as well.

Mostly they offer a set-menu. Choose it with or without dessert. Only a few choices, but don't let that put you off. The cook knows what he's doing. The card changes as well (but not daily). So don't expect to see the same food as on my pics (or other reviewers). But you can be sure of one thing: It's a dinner you won't forget! The first night we've had a complementary Cazpacho for the Amuse Bouche. Then Langoustine with Langoustine broth/soup and a fresh goat cheese mousse with pepper. Fish with a caviar sauce and a steak with a red wine reduction and potato gratin. For dessert a strawberry sorbet (in shape of a strawberry) and mille-feuille with apricot ice cream.

It was all a hit. All of it. When can one really say that about a multiple-course dinner? Not often...not often at all. But this here was perfection. Absolute perfection. The langoustine were fresh, tender and the soup full of wonderful seafood flavours. The goat cheese mousse was amazing. Fresh, high quality goat cheese and the right texture. With the fresh pepper a really good combination. The fish was also of high quality, very fresh. A nice cut and perfectly cooked. Exactly on the spot. And the sauce was divine with the caviar in it. The steak was so tender, it really melted on your tongue and the red wine reduction a blast of flavours, went perfectly with the meat.

Desserts are not easy to do. But these here were perfect. Great ice cream, nice millie-feuille.

Came back the next night (knowing the menu will be the same). It was just too good not to come back. Had a seafood soup for the Amuse Bouche this time. Bursting with flavours.

And the presentation of all the dishes: It's a feast for your eyes. Every little thing isn't just decoration, it's part of the meal. And the combination of all these little items sum up to one of the best meals we've ever had. Seldomly does the look and presentation justice to the flavour. But here: It tastes as amazing as it looks. I could go on an on. If you are close to this area. Or even three hours away. Take a drive and try out this place. In a town where you'd never expect such a high quality cuisine.

Staff/owner was very friendly, mostly spoke french only - but we managed (my french was a bit rusty though). Wine comes by the glass or bottle. Wine prices are fair.

And the price for the meal? Without dessert 30 Euros. With dessert 35 Euros. For this 5-star food that could beat any food in any luxury restaurant. Easily. It's not just a great value...it's a steal. If you plan to dine only once in your life in France: Then this is the place. Highly...

WOW! What an amazing meal, I dont understand why this place didn't have a line out of the door! We stayed in a local campsite and walked into the centre to find somewhere to eat. Nothing was open apart from a pizza shop. We were hoping for a nice meal so kept walking, we turned the corner and saw a few tables of people sitting outside a small restaurant. We do not speak much French, but the lady that greeted us made us feel welcome, and with google Translate, we managed to understand it being a 3 course set menu for roughly €40pp We started with amuse bouche, followed by smoked salmon, husband had mussells in a light curry sauce - the best we have all ever tasted! We all had duck for mains, followed by chocolate fondant. It was the best and I highly recommend it to anyone in the area. This place deserves to have so much success as the chef is talented and his wife is great front of house and service. Thank you for a lovely, unexpected evening of...

Un véritable restaurant gastronomique ! ! Prise de contact par téléphone en fin d'après-midi à la suite d'une journée à visiter La Rochelle et déjà on sent bien que le bien-être du client est une préoccupation majeure pour le personnel... : -" désirez vous diner en terrasse ou à l'intérieur ? Dehors il y a un peu de vent pas très agréable " je vous réserve une table en salle.... 20h00 nous sommes accueillis par la patronne, notre table est prête, juste à côté d'une imposante cheminée. Fauteuil très confortable en cuir , nappage noir très original qui rend un effet très classieux. Murs blancs décor moderne mais sobre ...on se sent bien . La carte est réduite , preuve que le chef travaille uniquement des produits frais 2 choix d'entrées , 2 choix de plats et 2 choix de desserts... Apéritif maison pour débuter -pineau des Charentes, champagne et jus d'abricot ...original et excellent, il est accompagné de petites brochettes jambon , tomates burrata petits légumes en guise de mises en bouche. Un réussite totale. Nous avons opté pour la formule plat dessert à 33 € Voici le plat ... Un superbe filet de daurade , petits légumes de saison jus de coquillages C'est divin , on trouve chaque saveur subtilement mise en valeur ..même la peau croustillante fera notre bonheur Pour accompagner ce plat nous avons opté pour un Pessac Leognan blanc qui s'accorde à merveille avec le poisson . Les assiettes repartent totalement vides vers la cuisine... Voila notre dessert ... Soupe de fruits rouges, glace au basilic ! On est au paradis ...fraises , framboises , mures , cassis mais aussi abricots et pêches " baignent " allègrement dans un jus délicieux. Les petits morceaux de basilic confondus dans la glace exhalent encore plus les saveurs de chaque fruit ... Une fois de plus ...le passage de nos assiettes par le lave vaisselle est presque superflu ! Les cafés qui suivent sont accompagnés de petites mignardises maison ...macaron caramel beurre salé , compotée abricot basilic Une " véritable tuerie " Je félicite la patronne qui reconnaît avoir beaucoup de bonheur d'avoir un chef de cuisine comme mari ! En résumé un haut lieu de la gastronomie régionale ou le chef met tout son amour pour la cuisine dans chacun de ses plats . A recommander sans modération.. un seul regret ...comme nous habitons à près de 700 km d'ici nous risquons de ne pas revenir chaque semaine Bonne continuation Madame...