Looking for a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Montbron region of southwestern France? Well, I have just the place, Moulin de la Tardoire, a charming restaurant set in the most wonderful location by the river in an old water mill, where you get to relax to the sound of water babbling over stones and listen to the birds chirping while you eat the most delicious seasonal produce.
Unlike most high-end restaurants, Moulin de la Tardoire is unpretentious, relaxed and affordable, with the restaurant offering four set menu options starting at just €25.50 to €75 under the creative direction of chef Matthieu Brudo.
It is no surprise that on a gloriously sunny Wednesday lunchtime that the Moulin de la Tardoire was packed, as the spacious sun terrace is the perfect place to have a spot of lunch while chatting up with friends. As we went to the restaurant as a group we had to go for the €25.50, set lunch menu, which offered a starter, main and dessert, with an optional extra to add a cheese course and a welcome cocktail, which of course, we had to add.
With the €25.50 menu, you don’t get any choice in the dishes, however, as I’m vegetarian and the main was lamb, the chef was more than happy to put together a vegetarian option for me, which I have to say was delicious, one of the best meals I have had in a fancy restaurant.
What to expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant in France
The meal started with welcome cocktails, there was a gin version and a non-alcoholic, which was menthol based and an acquired taste, but hey, the vibrant green hue certainly looked great with the greenery surrounding the mill. The cocktails were served with appetizers and bread, which I have to be honest my french wasn’t good enough to understand. All I can tell you, try everything that you are served here as you will probably love it.
The starter was one of my favourite courses of the meal, not only for its vibrant display, just look at it have you ever seen food look like a plate of art before? But also for the taste. The carpaccio-style beetroot salad with feta and cumin crumble was just exquisite. The flavours all really married beautifully and I don’t think I’ve ever had beetroot taste so good before.
The delicious food at Moulin de la Tardoire
On to the mains, as I already said the chef prepared me something pretty special, a delicious selection of vegetables, from the best carrots I’ve ever had to artichoke, asparagus, radish and beetroot, served on a mousseline of broccoli with seaweed crackers and a poached egg to top it all off. Safe to say, I didn’t leave anything on my plate, I wish all high-end restaurants had such imagination when it comes to vegetarian food.
For the meat eaters, they got a confit lamb breast, served on a mousseline of broccoli with tarbais beans and carrots. Everyone around the table was impressed with the main meal, the meat was cooked to perfection and the flavours were all delicious together.
Next up was the cheese course, as you can’t go to France and not eat copious amounts of cheese, and the Moulin de la Tardoire had a great selection of hard and soft cheeses made from both cow and goats milk. My suggestion here is to try a little of everything, and ask for the quince jelly as that was a very welcome addition.
Another highlight of the lunch had to be dessert, a deconstructed black forest gateaux with Morello cherries. Not only was this dish another work of art, but it was also divine, I could have easily eaten two of these. I don’t think there was anything left on anyone’s plates it was so delicious. I loved the cherry explosion, the chocolate mousse and the crispy chocolate casing studded with nuts.
Then just when you think you are all done, the restaurant brings you more goodies, these adorable Bakewell tarts to nibble on with tea and coffee. I love it when restaurants offer off-menu treats.
Overall thoughts on the Moulin de la Tardoire – well if you are in the area and you don’t book a table you are seriously missing out – this is one of those hidden gems that locals don’t want you to know about. We travelled an hour to eat here from my Father-in-Law’s house and I’m telling you it is so worth the journey.
I do think this restaurant suits a celebration, so if you have a birthday or anniversary consider going here and choose one of the more expensive menus. Seriously, splash out and just enjoy the delicious food and beautiful surroundings, as you only live once. But even with the cheaper menu of the day, you will leave impressed.
The food is splendid, the location is incredible, and the wine list is excellent. What more do you want from a restaurant?
Moulin de la Tardoire, Lieu-dit Forge, 16220 Montbron, France
