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from www.foodtourist.net
When we arrived at Le Beffroy in Rouen, at 8pm on Monday 24 April 2006, we were delighted to find that M. Engel was still there to welcome us. He even showed us to a table where he remembered seating us on a previous visit. Although the restaurant was empty when we arrived, it had soon become quite busy. M. Engel was still the only waiter and we suspected that Mme. Engel was the only one upstairs in the kitchen. We were soon presented with our amuse bouche - a delicious quiche made with Livaron cheese and pastry that melted in the mouth. For our first course we both had the scallop and langoustine timbale, which was absolutely delicious. We used the nice French bread to mop up the creamy sauce. Our wine was a 2003 Chablis, which we found very good, and we also had a large bottle of Badoit.
Both Norman and I had chosen the same main course. This was barbue, which M. Engel told us was brill in England. The fish was cooked in cider vinegar, giving the sauce a slight bite, and was served with very good sauté potatoes. It also came with a mystery vegetable which we managed to partially identify as carrots. It turned out to be baby carrots cooked with small white onions and mashed: a delicious combination.
Dessert for Norman was apple tart with vanilla ice cream. I chose a chocolate tart with a raspberry sorbet. Once again, it was very good. Then came the piece de resistance which for us is the trade mark of Le Beffroy - the almond tuilles, which are the best we have ever tasted. We were even given an extra, slightly burnt one - M. Engel had remembered how much we liked them.
Illy coffee arrived with chocolates and chocolate liqueurs. The coffee was so good we ordered a second one - but without any more chocolates. It was an excellent end to an excellent meal - probably the best we had in Rouen on this visit. Mme Engel can certainly cook!
The bill came to 104.50€, including service. I realised we had not been charged for our second coffees and mentioned this. M. Engel said there was no charge. As we were leaving he told us he would probably not be there next year. He says this every year and we know that one of these years it will be true. After all, he is 74 years old now and wants to spend time near his grandchildren in Italy. When the Engels do eventually leave Rouen, the city will lose one of its best restaurants.
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