351110 5 Location 505470 Perched on the corner of Place Michael Debre, bistro Anne de Bretagne is the first cafe you pass as you enter the square at the base of Chateau D'Amboise. The rattan chairs and round terra cotta tables are lined up facing the street like stadium seats waiting for the next show. Indeed, the world must pass by you as they come and go, and you get to see it all. You also have the advantage of being separated from the street by a wide cobbled sidewalk and a row of trees that lead to the castle. The menu here is simple and extensive. Choose from entrees (appetizers), salads, sandwiches (croque monsieur-grilled ham and cheese!), omelettes, plats (entrees), crepes and lots of desserts. There is always a plat du jour specially priced, which on the first day I visited, was moules (mussels) served with frites (french fries) plus a wine or beer and dessert for 9 euro (about$11 US). Service is inclusive in the prices, as in almost every restaurant in France unless stated otherwise, so no tipping necessary. This also means they move as fast or slow as they want, since they are already in essence being paid. The servers here are young, attentive and move very quickly. I ate here twice. The first night I had escargot (yeah, I know they are snails, but they were delicious!). The herbed butter sauce was so delicate, I dipped my bread in what was left. Next I had a salad de chevre chaud (warm goat cheese) that was served on little toasts and mixed into the salad with a creamy, but not rich, dressing. I could eat this every day. My plat was a ramboullet of canard (duck) that was so tender it fell off the bone. It was served on a bed of potatoes that were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, mixed with lardon (bacon) and something crunchy. Definitely not a vegetable in sight. Including my pitchet of white wine (like a carafe) my meal came to 35 euros and was very satisfying. In fact, if I had to, I could eat that over and over again, but I feel obligated as your guide to branch out and try other restaurants! On my second visit here I realised that there were prix fixe combination menus and a plat du jour that would be much more economical choices, so I ordered the moules, which were still a feature of the day. This was Saturday, the sun was setting, and the place was packed. Lots of little pots of mussels were being brought to other tables, oh boy, I couldn't wait for mine! I enjoyed a couple of beers (Kronenbourg 1664) and had another salad with goat cheese. This was also the evening of the street animee, so every once and a while I would jump up to take a picture. When I came back to my seat, a menu was in it. Were they saving my seat for me? How sweet. The server came by to see what I wanted for dessert. Hmmm, why does he need to know now? I haven't gotten my mussels yet. I order a crepe. he brings the crepe. What?! M., ou et les moules? Lots of flustering going on between us. Oh, they are now out of them. Whoops! So sorry. So I ordered a local sausage (ricolette) served with the ubiquitous frites (frites are served with everything), and it was very good. Honestly, if you can't find something to eat on this menu you should go home! 2007-09-16T19:44:24-07:00 570425492 2007-09-22T17:00:00-07:00 0 16 205521 5564073 351110 0 134213 0.00111128247385024 2007-09-15T17:00:00-07:00 Published 1.0 2007-09-16T21:44:52-07:00 94078 0