My husband and I LOVE food. Anyone who doesn't know that about us just doesn't know us very well yet.
We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on November 25th. This past year has been the most difficult one for me, but the most rewarding. A baby's first year is not for the faint-hearted. My man has sure seen the worst of me as I have traversed these fatigue filled days, as well as the best of me as I have cherished every squishy giggle from our beloved girl. BUT O HOW AMAZING TO GO ON A DATE FOR 5 HOURS ALONE WITH HIM! (Thank you to the mother-in-law for tending the baby!)
We have been planning to go to La Galette Berrichonne ever since we were told of their 7 course French dinners on Saturday nights by reservation only back in July. Yes, we are planners too. Eating French food on our anniversary is an unofficial tradition for us. We went out for French food on our wedding night and fell in love with it, so we treat ourselves to a decadent meal once a year to celebrate us and good food.
Our experience at La Galette Berrichonne was amazing, but this restaurant is NOT for upscale food snobs. First of all, it is located in Fordland, MO, which is 36 minutes east of Springfield with a population of 825 (in 2016). The owner of the restaurant, Roland Parny, is a French born and trained chef who spent his career cooking and teaching in many places around the world. This is sort of his "for fun" job now that he is 75 years old. The fact that his sign is taped up to the restaurant kind of says a lot. But we were there for the food, not the decorations, right? Exactly.
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| Peering into the dining room after the meal was over. |
Chef Roland was so friendly and funny. When we walked in at 6:10 PM, we were greeted by the chef himself and the hostess. The chef even came out to talk to each table halfway through our dinner, a gesture I greatly appreciate. There were 18 people total at the by-reservation-only meal that night and our meal began at 6:20 once everyone was accounted for. I loved not having to order my food; instead I enjoyed a meal created with care for the purpose of entertaining and satisfying. Our experience was to enjoy good, slow food, without being picky.
What We Ate:
Course 1: French Onion Soup
Course 2: Carrot salad, Country Pate, Avocado Tomato Salad
Course 3: Seafood Au Gratin (including Shrimp, Salmon, and Scallops)
Course 4: Pork Tenderloin with Mashed Potatoes (sophisticatedly cheesy) and Ratatouille
Course 5: Raspberry Sorbet
Course 6: Baked Brie and Homemade Applesauce
Course 7: Crepes Suzette with Orange Syrup and a Fruit Puff Pastry tart with Creme Anglaise
Our meal lasted 2 hours and 10 minutes, and the most amazing thing was how we felt afterwards. We were definitely full, no doubt about that. But I didn't feel glutenous or sluggish. I felt invigorated! Maybe it was the way the food was presented. Maybe it was because I had been out with my husband sans baby for 5 hours. Or maybe it was a combination. The meal was like a journey that built up to a climax and then slowly tapered down to the finale. As we wrapped up the 4th course, the pork tenderloin and ratatouille, we were feeling very full and wondered if we truly would be able to finish the 3 remaining courses with grace. But that was the peak of the experience and when we were brought the raspberry sorbet, the coolness of the dish was a sort of palate cleanser, and a reprieve from the heaviness of the previous courses. It prepared us for the final two courses, the cheese and then the pastries. Ending the meal with the homemade crepes suzette, puff pastry tart, and the amazing creme anglaise was such a perfect note that brought so much satisfaction.
Slow food is special. Eating a meal for 2 hours with someone I care about is something I wish our society and culture would embrace. My husband and I had such great conversations and the only time my phone was out was to snap a shot of each dish before I devoured each morsel. I even hesitated bringing my phone out for such a cause but I gave in.
After this experience, I have contemplated how I wish we had the time each day to serve dinner in a course setting where everyone who ate would appreciate and enjoy each plate. It took approximately 20 minutes to eat each course, which gave time for conversation and digestion before the next course. Contrast this to our Thanksgiving meal just 2 days prior where all the food was displayed at once and the plates were piled high, with no courses even thought of. Imagine how we would feel if we ate Thanksgiving in a course setting and got to enjoy the same amount of food in a slower manner. It's an interesting thought!
But changing the American dining culture is not likely to change anytime soon.
And that's why you should travel to Fordland and pay a fair price of $50 per person to enjoy an amazing French meal over 7 courses. You won't be disappointed.
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