La Fourchette, Totnes

What a fabulous meal we had at La Fourchette the other night!

I’d never ventured in until that day. Before it’s recent facelift I thought it had the look of a cheap, and possibly unpleasant, pizza place – it didn’t appeal to me at all.  But a friend recently mentioned she’d had a good meal there so we decided to risk it for our anniversary dinner, a brilliant decision as it turned out.

The restaurant changed hands about 3 months ago and the staff were clearly happy with their new situation, speaking of their “boss” in glowing terms. The interior decor is simple but feels authentically french. Our very sweet waitress WAS authentically french! The service was informal but attentive and both our waitress and the other, english, waiter who were working that night were well informed and enthusiastic about the menu. I was unable to make a decision on whether to have the Fish Soup or Onion Soup to start so I took advice – our waitress happily told me that when she’d tried the onion soup she thought she’d “died and gone to heaven”… SOLD! And it really was delicious, exactly what I want when I order that dish – rich stock, soft unctuous onions, enough crouton to have a bit with every spoonful and lashing and lashings of melted cheese. so yum.  J went for warm pigeon breast with garlic crisps and a plum sauce – also exceedingly good, though not my taste. He loved it.

Mains – I had fish, he had steak. My fish was good but man, the steak was fantastic. It’s their speciality – Steak Onglet. Popular in France apparently (my well travelled sister concurs) but rarely served in this country. A shame as it was truly a joy to eat. Go – try it – you won’t be sorry.

We were very well fed at this point, and well watered – having polished off a bottle of sparkling wine, a glass of Merlot with the steak, and a bottle of Perrier.  Oh but we wanted more. A dessert each, lovely little trios of tastes, and a glass of dessert wine to go with.  Perfection.

And the damage? £80. Really – so worth it. Go.