Chez Roger - Sainte-Marie-du-Mont

I found this little place by chance. The food was very good. Service super. Not the cheapest, but surely the ambience of the place is worth a visit. Phone first, as not always open.

We were lucky to have the restaurant for us, so it was like a private meal. There was a roaring fire with a beautiful lamb pile that was roasted over it. We were warmly welcomed by a very beautiful lady who was an absolute pleasure... all night. It really felt like being at home in a friend. We had champagne to get the evening on the right track. Pate with perfectly crunchy toast, followed by oysters in Camembert (only tasty), then of course half a lobster each (always enjoy eating). The lamb with a Cassoulet was next, followed by a nice slice of local cheese with more if we wanted. Finally traditional apple cake. We had a Reuilly and a Claret with the meal and of course a few shots of Calvados with coffee to finish. For those who choose a Fussy or who like to choose their meal, this is not the place for you. But for those who want a real experience of fine Normandy food and are ready to pay (it is not cheap, but it is a great value) then this is the place for you. It was great.

Start with oysters, champagne, then lobsters flambé with calvados, roast lamb with white beans cooked to perfection, more calvados, tart tatain. Yum!

Chez Roger is a special restaurant and we were there at a very special time. It is in Le Grand Vey, a tiny town near St. Mere Eglise, on the Contentin Peninsula in Normandy we there to participate in the Dday 70th anniversary celebrations....Our friend's father had landed on Utah Beach on Dday and helped liberate Le Grand Vey on the second day. We had dinner at Chez Roger the evening of June 6 and it was an incredible celebration. First the food rillettes to die for, lobster with beurre blanc, lamb, delicious warm beans, cheeses, tarte tatin...and enough Calvados to sink a ship. Certainly the best meal we had in our three weeks in France. Joel Meslin, the chef, is a magician with food and his wife Nathalie the perfect hostess. Joel celebrated our friend's father's heroism and the whole restaurant all five tables of us raised a glass. If you are in Normandy, don't miss this restaurant.

We have been to Chez Roger several times and last weekend we celebrated William's 90th birthday there. As always the food was delicious and I particularly liked the oysters and monkfish liver. We were very well looked after by Natalie and Joel and once the...hats came out and the calvados flowed the party got into full swing! This is a very special restaurant there is no where quite like Chez Roger thankyou for making this such a memorable occasion (Jane Hough, le banquette!