Quote: Originally posted by BiIIy on 27/9/2015Flunch is usually in a large centre commercial but mostly there is also a 'conventional' waiter service restaurant as well. LeClercs at Boulogne has a Flunch & Mcd's & also a reasonably priced restaurant with a choice of 3 plat du jours, much easier just to use that. I hate self service, if I want dinner out, I want it brought to my table....Theres also the joke about the bog seat & the self service cafeteria...
Not sure I'd describe Flunch, or indeed any UK supermarket café of a similar ilk, as having "Dinner out", but I guess technically it is. I'm more likely to look at it as "grabbin' summat to eat whilst we're 'ere"!
Don't think I've heard the joke though, so feel free to enlighten me... I'm not squeamish!
On best value we have yet to better a meal in Toulon-sur-Arroux.
Around noon we noticed a queue of people waiting outside the hotel just by the bridge, so we joined it.
At 12 precisely we were let in to sit at a very long communal table, Opposite us were three construction workers, covered in dust, and beside us was the local pharmacist and the local lawyer.
No choice of menu, but 5 courses plus wine and coffee.
first course: a ham terrine with capons second course: a white fish with a some delicious sauce and copious salad from communal bowls. third course: a beef casserole with artichokes and carrots. fourth course: a "whites" dish a fromage frais with cottage cheese and pears. fifth: lemon sorbet.
half carafe of wine and coffees
Total cost €23 for the two of us
It was no wonder there were queues to get in. We still salivate at the memory of the experience.
We had one like that years ago, in a Relais Routiers near La Palme in the Aude. It's still there, but doesn't look busy these days with no car park full of HGVS. There was a queue waiting as we drove past, so we thought it was a good place.
Same communal table, help yourself buffet for starters, then a trout with lemon and herbs, then a rbbbit casserole with prunes and accompanying vegetables, the same fromage blanc, can't remember the pudding, and enough wine to stop an HGV driver getting back in his cab. Same sort of cost, too, including wine and coffee.
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Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 27/9/2015
No problem, Big Roy.
One thing we did discuss whist we were there, was how well it would have gone if it was busy.
Would the staff have been so patient/helpful/understanding?
Could there be a dozen or so people all milling around the grill area, holding empty trays and waving their tickets in the air?
Do they go off to grab a table, then return when their food is ready? Indeed, do they get called back when it's ready?
Would respective couples be splitting up (not permanently! LOL) as one waited for food, and the other went to join another queue at the bar, for drinks?
Is it possible that you could get your meal, add the buffet accompaniments, then suddenly realise there are no available tables?
Do these places ever get as busy as that?
I guess our experience was made easier/less daunting, due to it being so quiet when we were there.
We came close to doing the same as you, Roy, in turning away and grabbing a sandwich, but we've done that a few times now, in various scenario's, and thought we'd bite the bullet, and put it all down to experience. Like I say, we're both glad we did. It's another notch on our tent pole, I guess. (Actually scrub that... we've got an inflatable! )
I hate holding people up at the best of times. When it's down to sheer ignorance (on my part), with the added language barrier, I'm pretty sure if it hadn't been so quiet, we may well have walked away again this time.
Good timing, I guess?
It was packed when we were there so there was much head scratching and confusion
Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 27/9/2015
...Around noon we noticed a queue of people waiting outside the hotel just by the bridge, so we joined it...
What kind of nutter joins a queue when they have no idea where it leads!!
I'd hope there would have been some sort of hint of lunch/restaurant at the very least?
I'd have presumed they were just queuing to get back in after a fire drill or summat!
I guess I need to be more adventurous!
BTW Stuart... Not wishing to err off topic... Very early day's yet, but we are considering going a lot further south in 11.5 months time. Currently in No 1 spot, mainly due to your 2 x reviews and a "phase 1 google search" is Camping De Vaudois.
I might be giving you a shout for more in depth detail... but we'll get Xmas out of the way first!
The site manager at Chatillon sur Chalaronne recommended the Hotel Rstaurant du Commerce , and being helpful they brought out menus in English. One item was " Rifleman's Net In Her Worked In The Crystallsed Lemons " I ordered it out of sheer curiosity, but my best friend, whose French is not great, asked if she could have a menu in French.
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Quote: Originally posted by Berriow on 27/9/2015Yes, be adventurous, Mucker !
The site manager at Chatillon sur Chalaronne recommended the Hotel Rstaurant du Commerce , and being helpful they brought out menus in English. One item was " Rifleman's Net In Her Worked In The Crystallsed Lemons " I ordered it out of sheer curiosity, but my best friend, whose French is not great, asked if she could have a menu in French.
And did you enjoy the fish 'bonne femme' perhaps? I do know that Fusilier is a fish in France as we too have been offered it on a menu - but not in English!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 27/9/2015
Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 27/9/2015
...Around noon we noticed a queue of people waiting outside the hotel just by the bridge, so we joined it...
What kind of nutter joins a queue when they have no idea where it leads!!
y first!
I'm guessing that a few comments are from the Patrick Nice school of one-upmanship - from the Fast Show - if you watched it.
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 27/9/2015
I have to say our first Flunch lunch was as confusing as Muckers and we weren't particularly impressed with the food so haven't been back to see if it gets better with practice!
Snap! we wouldn't rush back, we'd much rather pay more for a nice fish restaurant
I don't think many people go to Flunch et al for the quality of the cuisine, wine list & general ambience, but there are times - after a long day - when a visit is very useful.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We use the Flunch at Auchan Grande Synthe and it's full every weekday
The most interesting thing that I've noticed though is that the French are supposedly enforcing stricter drink-drive alcohol levels; and yet there's a still a good proportion of people happily knocking back the turps
If you've got kids and want a fast meal with minimal fuss at a decent price Flunch is great, as are most of the big supermarket cafes. The Carrefour café between Caen & Bayeux was a regular stop for us when the kids were small, they could stuff themselves with made to order pizza and we adults could have whatever dish of the day looked nice. The place was always mobbed, clientele ranged from construction workers to suits to little old ladies.
It's nice to get out for a posh meal with waiter service and wine but what chance of that with a two and six year old in tow? They got older of course and eventually we could all go out for the posh evening meals together, which was nice. But we still went to the Carrefour for the odd lunch and pizza, especially when I couldn't be bothered to cook.
Quote: Originally posted by OliverDay on 27/9/2015
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 27/9/2015
Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 27/9/2015...Around noon we noticed a queue of people waiting outside the hotel just by the bridge, so we joined it...
What kind of nutter joins a queue when they have no idea where it leads!!
y first!
I'm guessing that a few comments are from the Patrick Nice school of one-upmanship - from the Fast Show - if you watched it.
Quote: Originally posted by happybonzo on 28/9/2015
We use the Flunch at Auchan Grande Synthe and it's full every weekday
The most interesting thing that I've noticed though is that the French are supposedly enforcing stricter drink-drive alcohol levels; and yet there's a still a good proportion of people happily knocking back the turps
Post last edited on 28/09/2015 08:20:37
I'll have you know their red turps is very quaffable. 😀🍷
The French don't give a monkey's about drink driving. They don't lose their licence for a first or even 2nd offence. Those that are pickled enough to lose their licence can still drive an Aixam or similar sans permis & hold us all up while they weave around at 45kph.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: In praise of Flunch
