As the owner of an ever-expanding business empire set amidst a picturesque property at Flaxton, Thierry is a man astute enough to spot a decent-sized niche in the market. First there was the restaurant (Le Relais Bressan, reviewed here), to which he soon added a clasic car showroom, then a gift shop, then a garden centre (Le Jardin), then a B&B, and now - the 'Allo 'Allo tearooms. One would hope his tongue was planted very firmly in cheek.
For babes too young to remember, the original 'Allo, 'Allo was a hit British comedy series centred around Rene, a hapless cafe owner in occupied France. Unashamedly kitsch, this show had it all: berets, accordians, fake moustaches, bumbling Nazis, equally incompetent Resistance fighters, double entendres, dodgy jokes, and dodgy-beyond-belief accents.
So yes, an 'Allo, 'Allo tearooms run by a Frenchman does sound something of a dodgy joke itself. Thierry, however, has redeemed himself. He has once again pulled it off. And why? Because the food is simply sensational. Just ask Rene - he's eaten there:
At the Flaxton tearooms, all the action centres around a bulging glass showcase, set centre stage, and filled with the most outrageously tempting display of tarts you're likely to see outside France. Stand back, I'm about to let fly with a few double entendres myself: these decadent, voluptuous tarts are so devilishly fruity, so silky smooth, so luscious, so delectable. Just look at them - how could you ever hope to resist anything so brazen, so wicked?
Look at those cheeky, gravity-defying meringues! And those sticky, saucy fig tarts! I soon polished off one of those - after being momentarily annoyed that there was no blood orange slice, which is what I had last time. Blood oranges, Thierry patiently explained, were not in season. Thierry only uses what is fresh and in season. He has standards.
Here's Thierry's son (sorry about the blurry shot - but he's so sweet it had to go in). He's making me a perfect espresso. Yes, perfect. (And to those so-called baristas who persist in serving up cups of lukewarm, coffee-tinged milk - get thee to Flaxton, and take a few tips from someone half your age. Sorry, I really needed to get that off my chest.)
And so, fully satisfied and smiling, we dashed outside into the blustering wind and rain, bundled into the 2CV, and headed back down the range to Eumundi. A bientot, Thierry! We'll see you sooner that later - the Deux Cheveaux drives to your place on autopilot.
Now if Phil could only get that Tardis going, we could get there even quicker.
'Allo, 'Allo Tearooms: 344 Flaxton Drive Flaxton - 54457157.
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays (and through September, when the family head off to France for some well-deserved R&R).
2 comments:
you two get out and about quite a bit don't you. Me and J might have to start doing the W&P tour of the hinterland.
Now you mention it, it does look like we spend an excessive amount of time in cafes... methinks it's about time i turned my attention to bookstores...
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