La Marmite - Mansle

Not our best meal ever. Disappointed after reading such positive reviews. Our food, veau tete lamb tagine were lack lustre. Lots of fat with veal that was a bad choice. Nice selection of cheese, but it was cold . Wine good value. Would I go again? No! Waitress indifferent didn’t ask why so much was left and did we enjoy.

Our first visit. Beautifully clean and nicely decorated with a very friendly ambiance. The staff are quiet and efficient, and speak English if necessary. The menu is varied and extensive and it is quite possible to find something for everyone’s taste. All the food was well served and presented, extremely tasty and good-sized portions. We will definitely be returning soon!

Excellent value . Super menu …proper French cooking , at 13:50 euros for 3 courses , what a lucky find ! Place was pretty full and no wonder , beers , wine and coffees plus this lovely food all for 85 Euros for 4 , wow , why can’t we do this in England ?

Situated down the (rather unpromising sounding) Rue de Watlington on the Ruffec side of the bridge over the Charente, this gem of a place nestles in a corner by the play-park alongside the river. It's shaded garden terrace is reached over a small footbridge, where the welcome is as inviting as the internal decor. It may be out-of-the-way of the main drag through Mansle, but the locals obviously know about it and don't hesitate to make it their go-to restaurant at lunchtimes. I was here for lunch on a Friday. I'm relieved I arrived shortly after Noon, otherwise I may have not been seated. The place was heaving with customers by 12.30 and people who had not booked were being turned away. There's an excellent lunchtime menu (12 Euros for three courses or 10.90 for an entree/plat) with a choice of three or four options, including the Entree Plat du Jour. I went for the Entree and Plat du Jour. A superbly executed rabbit terrine, accompanied by an imaginative salad, cornichons and cubes of bitter orange jelly was faultless. The squid, stuffed with crab, served on a bed of rice with a white wine sauce was absolutely delightful. This is Michelen standard cooking at a very reasonable price. The fact that the locals pack this place at lunchtime tells you everything about its reputation locally. Service was curteous and attentive. Plenty of parking.

Had the lowest priced set menu €12.90) so expectations weren't high; the meal met those expectations. Beetroot Carpaccio, followed by a sinewy steak with lovely French beans, then a very small slice of Citron Tart. The service was mixed; the less young waitperson was efficient but the young waitperson was unsmiling, unfriendly, obviously out of her depth and definitely in need of training. If we were ever to go again, we would opt for a more expensive meal.