Just about OK and other Lille, France Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: La Houblonniere

It was a hot Sunday evening in April. Not all restaurants were open so we landed up here in the Grand Place.
Not a bad place to be!
Lots of people about, and some excitement as the results in the first round in the Presidential Election were awaited.
Service was appalling. The No Smoking ban applied since Feb 2007 in many local eating establishments was not observed here. Even outside we were smothered by the smoke of the pleasant, friendly couple at our side.
Food - when it eventually arrived - was acceptable - no more. But the friendly, non smoking father and son on our other side engaged us in conversation and turned a dull evening into one to remember. The joys of travel....

Favorite Dish: The food was not memorable. Can't remember the cost.

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Theme: Local

Phone: 03 20 74 54 34
Address: 42 Place General de Gaulle, Lille
Directions: Located on Place General de Gaulle, the main square in Lille Nearest Metro: Rihour

Restaurant Name: La Voute

This small estaminet style restaurant is in a lane just off Grand Place and we came across it on our first night when we were not only attracted by the Menu but also by the No Smoking Sign.
It is worth noting here that France is in the process of implementing a ban on smoking in all public places but some establishments have introduced it in advance of the 2008 deadline.

Typical French/Flemish food like waterzoi and potjevleish is served here; we enjoyed the Regional Menu at 19.50 euros . Servings are substantial and most dishes came with a generous side salad.
My husband said his beef stew was one of the best and my rabbit casserole was delicious. From the Carte we sampled a rack of lamb - so good it could have been Welsh! and salmon in a cheese sauce. Local cheeses like Maroilles and Vieux Lille were a revelation- the former is matured in brine and has a good flavour, the latter is pungently delicious. Good beers and wines are served at average prices.
Service was friendly and efficient and the place is very popular with locals. On busy nights you need to go early or make a reservation.

Favorite Dish: We both enjoyed all the meals we had here so it is difficult to pick a favourite!
I am going instead to select the cheeses which we were introduced to - local, delicious and we had never tasted them before.
So if you like cheese when in northern France look out for Maroilles and Vieux Lille.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 03 02 42 12 16
Address: 4.rue des Debris Saint-Etienne, 59000 Lille
Directions: Just off Grand Place almost opposite the large old-established corner bar of the same name.

Restaurant Name: Chez LouLou

Our fourth and last night in Lille, a Monday and many restaurants closed. We were tired and had walked a lot that day so went with the good write up about Che LouLou in the free Guide - Easy Lille.. All the signage said Chez LouLou but when the bill came it was payable to La Bigouden - perhaps it has changed hands.?
We experienced none of the "inspired, original, fabulous food and cooking" referred to in the Guide which did mention "some clumsiness in the service".
The night we went the service was appalling - the wrong starters were brought, wine and water forgotten, a basket of rock hard stale bread was served; main courses - Pave de boeuf and Dos de Saumon barely edible the "medium rare" steak was raw in the middle, side salads limp and undressed.
All the food had a strange flavour - as though someone had mistakenly put a drop of washing up liquid instead of oil into the pan. We could not face a desert or coffee but the bill still came to 59.30 Euros.
Yes - we should have complained more, made a real fuss and refused to pay but we did not want to spoil completely what had been a most enjoyable four days in Lille.
We just wont ever go there aagain.

Favorite Dish: None

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 03 20 06 00 06
Address: 11 Rue des Fosses, 59800 Lille