Honfleur is an incredibly cool town! Our bus pulled into the heart of the town, overlooking the dock filled with sail boats and surrounded by tall town houses. The air was crisp and fresh; I was there midmorning but felt it like sunrise or sunset because of the overcast clouds and the sun trying to poke through. The lighting of the town is very unique; I later learned the lighting is a key part of the town’s ambience, attracting artists of all kinds. The streets are all cobblestones so wear flats; and dress in layers as the wind from the water gets chilly. This is a great town for walking tours because there is so much to see: restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, the Normandy Bridge, the church. Don’t forget your camera!
I didn’t make it over the bridge to Trouville during the day, but I did have dinner at Le Central Restaurant one night. WOW, talk about amazing seafood! Their appetizer seafood platter is amazing – crab, shrimp, oysters, prawns, mussels, clams and escargot; served with three dipping sauces: mayonnaise, ketchup, and mayonnaise mixed and vinegar and onions. All three are not my first choice when it comes to seafood dipping sauces, but I tried them anyway. (Vinegar on raw oysters does give it a completely different flavor; very good!) Next on the menu was calvados – an apple brandy originating in Normandy. Take a shot of calvados and the alcohol makes you ready for your next course, or it gets you drunk and makes you want to eat more. Following the shot was an apple sorbet marinating in calvados. (Too strong for me to eat after the straight-up shot.) The main course was roast sea bass in a shellfish cream and julienne vegetables (to cut the cream). SOOO GOOD, but very rich. After lots of red and white wine, dessert was served – an apple tart. Not like any apple tart I’d ever tasted. The whipped cream was served on the side so I could use whatever amount I wanted, but wasn’t needed because it was prepared so well. A great night and great food, a must-visit when in the area!
Click here for more information.
http://www.le-central-trouville.com/hotel-le-central-en.html
