La Maison d’Elise – A restaurant to Satisfy Both the Spiritual and Secular ( Le Mans)

On my recent visit to France, I stayed in the Loir Valley (not to be confused with the Loire Valley – although they are only 1 hour apart and easily visited) during my stay at a 400 year old Chateaux hosted by owners the Count and Countess Vassay ( Guy and Marni to their guests, please!), Marni suggested ( as she knows I live for great food) to spend the day in nearby Le Mans, visiting this famous Plantagenet city and then having lunch at the charming La Maison d’Elise.

The outlaying area of this large city, is somewhat grey , dull and modern, but at it’s center is the old city and here ( where Henri II of England was born and Richard the Lionhearted lived) one finds oneself entering a time tunnel with a myriad of streets each with houses with magnificent stone or wood carvings. This Plantagenet city serves as a stage set for numerous films such as the Man In The Iron Mask, The Three Musketeers and basically any film taking place in Paris of the XIVth to XVIII centuries. Walking the streets, makes you want to don a cape and sword. It’s quite magical. At its center is the Cathedral St Julien with the oldest stain glass window of the Ascension. Although I must admit that Churches and Cathedrals are not a major sightseeing activity for me, I must also admit that St Julien is quite over-powering. After spending a couple of hours it this remarkable and captivating old city and Yes, even its churches, I was ready to have an over-the-top lunch and what better place, that a cozy restaurant right next door to the cathedral.

The restaurant is La Maison d’Elise is housed in a former 18th-century mansion. Hosted by chef, Jean-Yves HERMAN, you are in for a treat. I had a lunch based on fish alone, in many courses and each course topped the previous one. I love a cozy restaurant, with tables spaced nicely apart, of starched table cloths and heavy silverware and sparking glasses and fresh cut fresh flowers on the table and of course- perfect service.
And may I add, a fantastic Lunch for only Euro 29!!

                                                                            My table- #11