Auberge du Dun - Le Bourg-Dun

Kate, Delilah and I spent three days with Sophie and Dan at Dan's lovely cottage in Le Bourg Dun. Dan had never eaten at the Auberge so I took everyone for dinner there. What a treat it was. A lovely dining room with a window behind which we could see a chef at work. Madame was charming and exceptionally good with Delilah who at the age of eight is somewhat particular about her food! We all eat off the 54 euro menu. However some items were not available but others from the a la carte menu supplanted them and Delilah was allowed a fillet steak from that menu. An aperitif of a glass of gewurtztraminer accompanied by some delicious very light savoury biscuits got us off to an excellent start, Then a delicious bonne bouche of red pepper mousse. Dan and I settled on the tuna. An absolute delight and the girls loved their calmari. Then sole for Kate and Sophie. Lamb for Dan and halibut for me. Each dish superbly cooked and an absolute delight. Delilah will only eat chips or raw carrot. No chips but Madame specially had some pommes gaufrettes cooked for her. Followed by fantastic puds. Souffles for Dan and me. Apricots for Kate and a basket of raspberries for Sophie. Glace vanille for Delilah. All beautifully presented and quite delicious. A very nice bottle of chinon worked well with everything. The whole evening was a delight and I cannot wait until the next time we are at Le Bourg Dun

We had an absolutely superb Saturday lunch here. Four courses plus amuse bouche and petit fours. Everything was perfectly cooked and delivered at just the right pace - no wondering if they've forgotten you nor any feeling of being hurried. Everything about the whole experience of eating here oozed quality. Probably our best meal in France for many years. Cost for two including a pre-dinner drink and modest bottle of wine was 150 euro - a very fair price for this quality of service and cooking.

We were ambling back from Rennes towards Dieppe on the motorways then took to the small roads from Le Havre. We tried a few Chambres d'Hotes, which were already full, then chanced on this Auberge on the D925 close to Dieppe. It looked cosy and attractive so we stopped. They are a restaurant primarily and only have one double bedroom. Luckily it was not yet taken - it was a bright room with Velux windows and quiet as it was round the back of the auberge, with its own parking. We then ordered the Menu - three dishes for a very reasonable EUR30. It was FANTASTIC! The service was delightful and the food was superlative. We had plaice as a main course which was perfect. The dessert was a variety of presentations of strawberry - ice cream; set in a delicate jelly; and an exquisite coulis. We were constantly resupplied with lovely rolls baked with cider. I want to eat there every time we go back to the area!

Very quiet on a Tuesday lunchtime, so we had the full attention of the staff and kitchen. An elegant dining room and top-class food befitting a chef who is a member of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (i.e up there with the likes of Michel Roux in London. Beautiful turbot helped down by a half bottle of Puligny-Montrachet. Bill very reasonable in the circumstances.

Michel Roux and Christian Carbillet are the only 'Maitres Cuisiniers de France' in the United Kingdom. I was expecting a memorable meal of the highest quality in perfect surroundings. I can have no complaint about the cost as it was my choice to visit this highly rated restaurant. Service was good but not exceptional. The food was very good but the range of choice on the only set menu (53€) was quite narrow. The A La Carte section was limited. I wondered if the 'Maitres Cuisiniers de France' chef in this restaurant had stopped innovating. The food was good and well cooked but somehow it was uninspiring.The value and cost was acceptable but for the limited choice above. The atmosphere was good and overall I would score the dinner at 85-90% but I had hoped for 100%.We had a meal out on five days and when we return next year we are certain to revisit one or two of them but I will not worry if I cannot eat here again.