L'Auberge du Pont — Restaurant in Tours

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. I love everything about L’Auberge du Pont. I happened to stop in and found this charming, simple restaurant full of locals. I was the only English speaker and the waitress (adorably kind and helpful) quickly greeted me and led me to a table. Fortunately, she had enough English to help me out. She explained all of the lunch offerings and subtly pointed out a few dished at other tables to help me make a choice. Everything I had was absolutely delicious. The steak and frites (home made!) were delicious. The steak was perfectly prepared to my liking (medium rare) and offerings included blue cheese, bernaise, or pepper sauce. The pepper sauce was amazing with both the steak and fries. It was just a special place - I’d love to go back again before I leave the area. Check this out (photos for proof!) - the owner and chef would pop out of the kitchen every few minutes to check up on their guests, refill wine, and ask about their dishes. So attentive and friendly. It was super sweet watching the him carry the entire menu chalk-board to guests between dishes (dessert mainly!) to help them with choices. The chalk board in one hand, a bottle of wine to top off glasses in the other. Superb. The dessert (a meringue - light and rich at the same time) was recommended by one of the French patrons and it was delicious. I’ve been in Paris/Loire for 4 weeks and this place just hit on everything I love. Simple, honest dishes, kind and authentic service, and beyond reasonable pricing. Go! Eat! Enjoy! They’ll take care of...

Unfortunately the restaurant was understaffed when we visited for lunch a couple of weeks ago (21 August). The waiting staff worked hard but could not make up for their lack of numbers. We waited a good 10 minutes to be seated, another half hour to have our order taken, another half hour for the wine to arrive (which was slightly corked but which we drank anyway as we couldn't risk waiting any longer for a replacement) and an even longer time for the food to arrive. The meats were fine when they finally did arrive (bavette and veau paupiettes) as was the pepper sauce but the french fries were soggy, brown and really greasy - far from being crisp golden 'french fries'. We couldn't finish them - see photo. A disappointing lunch after a wonderful visit of the nearby Villandry Chateau. The reviews look mostly great for this restaurant which is why we chose it but sadly that was not our experience. The staff should have turned us away if they couldn't cope with...

Soirée ratée

Après avoir reçu la confirmation orale de notre réservation en terrasse de la part du patron lors de notre conversation téléphonique, la veille de notre venue à l’auberge du pont à Savonnières, nous sommes arrivés à l’heure convenue (20h) à une terrasse complète. Après réclamations sommes toutes légitimes surtout après avoir fait 40 km pour venir, nous avons été éconduits proprement par l’aubergiste avec comme prétexte (je cite) « qu’au tarif pratiqué par le restaurant , il ne pouvait pas se permettre de rater l’opportunité de remplir sa terrasse même avec des réservations. » Il a ensuite ajouté que si nous voulions diner , il y avait de la place à l’intérieur, le tout sur un ton qui nous a laissé comme un goût amer pour un début de soirée complètement gâché malgré le temps magnifique. Si nous avions réservé ce lieu, il va sans dire que c’était évidemment pour la vue sur le Cher dont la publicité est largement faite sur le site du restaurant et non pour manger à l’intérieur à une table avec vue sur le bar. Pour finir , le patron n’a jamais voulu reconnaître son erreur, il ne s’est pas excusé et n’a même pas essayé de trouver une solution alternative en nous réservant la 1ère table qui se...