La Cros

[Dave Hatfield]

We went to La Cros in La Cros for Sunday lunch today and I was reminded of how good it is. I came home determined to see if it was on my restaurant map. To my dismay it wasn't.

I was sure that John Whiting had done a post about it as a result of one of his periodic forays to the back woods of the Rouergue. After struggling with the inestimable eGullet search engine I eventually found that he hadn't, but that he had talked about it on his own blog. Go here for John's excellent write up complete with pictures of food. (as some of you may remember I don't do restaurant food pictures.)

We have been to La Cros numerous times and it is always excellent. This time of the year they are only open for dinner on Friday and Saturday and for Sunday lunch. The price is still 15 Euros including wine.

Today the entree choice was between an Autumal salad with carrot chips and a buck wheat galette with forme d'Albert. There was also locally produced foie gras for a small supplement. We had one of each. Our guest is from Chicago where they seem to have outlawed foie gras so she had to have that. Hanna thought it and the local Gaillac doux were delicious. Linda loved the salad and the 'chips' were tasty & crunchy. My galette was wonderful, steaming hot and savory.

Plats were either comfit de canard with Lyonaise potatoes or a beef stew with carrots. Again, Hanna had the duck on the premise that's harder to get and not normally as good in Chicago. She was delighted. The 'stew' was a new treat for Linda & I; lots & lots of carrots slowly cooked with nice chunks of beef and served with boiled potatoes. The carrots had imparted a sweetness to the beef which in turn was fork tender. French country soul food in my opinion.

The cheese platter was brought & left. The selection was of 8-10 varieties including local cabeques, a very nice ripe camembert and a blue de causses.

Dessert was a pear poached in white wine served with a chestnut mousse or Banoffi. Both were delicious. (if you don't know what banoffi is as I didn't be sure to try it at the first opportunity.)

A very satisfying lunch.