Une Excursion d'une Journée à Lille

Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall

A Spring day trip to the capital of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France, near the border with Belgium.

I was last in Lille in the Autumn of last year & found it one of the loveliest places I have ever visited in France.

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After taking the 0901 from London St Pancras we arrive in Lille to bright sunshine & with hearty appetites.

There's a gentle stroll around the city. Every now and then just stopping to watch the locals go about their weekend business.

Lunch at 1230 and it's a return here:

https://www.le-braque.fr/en/ 

Here's the ethos behind the restaurant ..

Traditional cuisine, Gourmet, Homemade, Creative cuisine, Local Food.
'I would like to let you discover my Flanders, through gourmet dishes that are rich in history. I work on authentic cuisine inspired by the seasons, by what nature has to offer us, through responsible picking, hunting and fishing and above all by working closely with small local producers, ambassadors of their terroir.'

Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall

Laid before us in various courses that afternoon ..

Oysters
Chilli Squash Velouté Ham Gnocchi with Sheep Cheese
Veal with Greens & Salad
Steamed line-caught Pollock with Spinach & Tarragon
Pigeon Breast with Mushroom & Pepper Sauce
Cheese (obvs)
Pavlova with Sorrel & Apple

Every dish was just enough. Perfect portions. Our table was right near to the kitchen &, in between our conversations trying to put the world to rights, (devilish task at the moment) we watched as our lunch & others were being prepared. Fantastic food from start to finish. 

It was the 1930 Eurostar home to London. 

There were some cheeky Carrefour snacks for the journey home. 

Pâté. Dirty, stinky cheeses. A local red wine.

C'était une journée merveilleuse. Merci Lille.

AMM