Eat by the fireside … The idea is tempting, especially when winter comes. And that's good, we're right in it. Hearing the fire that crackles when you go to the table has something reassuring, regressive. It is an experience which, for some, recalls childhood. For others, there is an undeniable romantic side.
In our regions, it is especially in the countryside that we are most likely to find an establishment offering a fireplace. Indeed, leaving the La Deuvalière restaurant, located in the Plumereau district of Tours, all the other addresses are in rural areas. In the Gules Noires, restaurant held for fourteen years by Catherine and David, rue de la Vallée-Coquette in Villandry, the owners were immediately seduced by this beautiful fireplace which sits in their troglodyte restaurant in the heart of the vines.
Reservations accordingly
Lighting the fire and maintaining it is even part of the very pleasant rituals. “In winter, fortunately he is there, customers love and me too”concedes Catherine. Without this fireplace, they probably would not have cracked for the place. On this reporting day, two couples found themselves there to taste, to the sound of the crackling logs, an original and delicious lunch: pike quenelle with citrus, confit lamb or bar, with all the generosity of a warm environment.
“I always turn on the chimney in autumn and winter, and even sometimes in spring during particularly rainy daysindicates Catherine. Some customers love it so much that they always reserve the table closest to the hearth. »» And her husband's cook to specify that “Some years, we even do the Easter lamb at the chimney”. All this to say that if you want to enjoy a good meal by the fireside, there are still a few addresses in Touraine where the thing is possible. Here are some.
Some ideas for a meal by the fireside
> Auberge du 12e Century. At 1, rue du Château in Saché (a Michelin star).
> La Boulaye. At a place called La Boulaye, in Athehée-sur-Cher (reopening on March 15, 2025).
> The bubble bistro. Allée de la Touche (D938) in Charentilly. Already in 2012, the NR was praised the terrace in summer and the fireplace in winter.
> The deuvalière. At 18, rue de la Monnaie in Tours. “If you come in winter, remember to ask for a table by the fireside, it participates in the pleasure of the meal!” »»advises the site meet in the vineyards.
> To the ford of Louis XI. At 1, rue de la Petite-Perraudière in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire. The chimney is not only decorative, since we also cook certain meats.
-> Gueuleton. At 69, Quai Albert-Bayet in Montlouis-sur-Loire. There are two lights: one where you cook and the other in a room in the dining room.
> The black mouths. At 66, rue de la Vallée-Coquette in Vouvray.
> Gourmet grocery store. At 6, rue de la Mairie in Villandry. The beef ribs are prepared in the fireplace.
> O flavors of Lysa – La Forge. At 2 bis, rue du Maréchal-Ferrant in Saint-Nicolas-des-Motets. “In the restaurant room, there is a very beautiful fireplace that works in winter”signals a surfer.
> Because. At 9, rue Alfred-de-Vigny in Ciran. This associative bar welcomes both coffee and small catering by the fireside (insert).
> Restaurant L’Image. At 13, place des Halles in Preuilly-sur-Claise. The establishment has two rooms, in a beautiful era style, one of which has a fireplace.
> The flange. At 1, rue des Barons in Villeperdue. This restaurant also offers a chimney, very pleasant in this negative temperature period.
A fire, even a fake, warms the atmosphere
“I often go to Leaflet in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire”says Martin. To have a coffee, a pastry, a sandwich. “There is a fireplace, but electric”, he said. Our correspondent, despite everything, appreciates club armchairs in the large room: “At the end of the classes, parents bring children there. In the afternoon, people come there to play a board game or to knit with friends. »»
