We stayed at the Villa Josephine. Husband emailed them and they had a good deal for the low season; they were very nice and upgraded us to the best room which has a big bed and very luxurious bathroom facilities- separate shower area, jacuzzi tub, separate toilet and double sinks one of which we used exclusively to wash V's bottle and the dogs' bowls. The property is small, quiet and furnished in luxurious country style. Breakfast is served in a sunny room with a working fireplace. The continental breakfast includes home-made yoghurt, apple compote and excellent charcuterie, all served on china flatware with heavy silver cutlery and damask linens bien sur.
The only restaurant we went to in Deauville itself was the l'Essentiel which serves inventive cuisine. The menu is small but carefully put together. I had an excellent dish of veal confit with a mash of sweet potatoes that threw me a bit until I figured out the flavouring which was lemongrass, it shouldn't have surprised me since I really like this combination. We ordered a dessert of apple compote for V, we're in apple country after all. It was layered with a sharp citrusy foam and a crisp meringue, a far cry from her favourite gouter (French children's teatime ritual) snack which is exactly like baby food apple purée, this was a little too sophisticated for her. I finished it instead, it was light and fruity, a perfect finish for a lazy day out.
On the third day, we stopped by the seaside town of Touques for lunch. Landiers is homely and welcoming, the clientele a mix of well-off retirees or three generation families on their Easter vacations. The children's menu offered more than the usual ham and chips; V loved the salmon and ate most of the lightly cooked vegetables. Dessert was ice cream, commercial chocolate ice cream with requisite packaged toy, she was real charmed, by the toy.
I really enjoyed my first course of borsch. It's not typically French but delicious nonetheless, the broth rich and thick with beef and simmered vegetables, judiciously balanced with a light background sourness to keep the appetite going.
Husband enjoyed his slow-cooked lamb but I think I had the better deal. As we were still in Normandy country I ordered a steak and for once it was totally amazing; instead of the usual tussle to chew the meat down I got a beautiful piece of aged beef which had little gristle and was a series of long beefy flavours. There was a cheese plate too, as usual we zoomed in on the really excellent camembert. Leaving little room for dessert, but I finished mine anyway as it was made with pineapple, something very exotic for these parts. What a great end to a sunny holiday eh?
l'Essentiel
29/31 rue Mirabeau 14800 Deauville
T: 02 31 87 22 11
Landiers
90 rue Louvel et Briere 14800 Touques
T: 02 31 87 41 08
