AUVERGNE (Central France) , Clermont-Ferrand, Rue des Chausettes:
This narrow, cobble-stoned street, which runs steeply down hill from the square in front of the black-stoned Gothic cathedral, is lined with small shops, wine bars and restaurants. In the old ‘Hotel’ Savaron we found Restaurant Le 1513, a creperie-grill.
We entered off the street through a vaulted passageway to a small courtyard. Here was the entrance to the old mansion (‘hotel’), built in 1513 and restored now as a wonderful restaurant in a unique location. The rooms are a series of inter-connected cellars with low vaulted ceilings, which creates a warm and cozy atmosphere. Decorated with old pots and pictures of vines and grapes, each room has small wooden tables and chairs set on a red stone-tile floor. (see pics at the end)
It’s a popular place and friendly staff were a bit rushed off their feet when we first got there, but they didn’t seem to let it worry them. The speciality is galettes and crepes, and cider, drunk from shallow bowls. Galettes are very traditional in many parts of France, so we were happy to try them again. They are a type of crepe (thin pancake) made with buckwheat flour and filled with something savory, as opposed to crepes, which are made from wheat flour and have a sweet filling generally. There were numerous pages in the menu with options for fillings. We decided on the Galette Auvergnate, with local produce—Auvergne ham and St Nectaire cheese—followed by a Crepe Normande, with stewed apples and flambé calvados (apple brandy). A carafe of house red wine completed a great meal, at great value. We were very happy.
Restaurant Le 1513
3-5 rue des Chausettes, Clermont-Ferrand, 63000 France
Tel: 04 73 92 37 46.
