Strawberries and Walnuts

8^th May 2012

Strawberries and Walnuts

Today was another holiday in France, in recognition of the end of the Second World War, and  a memorial ceremony was held in Square of Souvenir.

Our day started with a walk around town, with a stop for coffee at a Café.

We had reservations for 12:30PM at a restaurant in the small hamlet of Nabirat and on our way we took a scenic drive to the Notre Dame Chapel des Neiges with the water mill. The Church was built in 1652.

We arrived in Nabirat at Le Diabolo-Fraise, which is owned and operated by the mother of a waitress, Roxane that serves us frequently at our home Café in Gourdon.

Nabirat is home of the Strawberry Festival and home to the largest strawberry tart. 

It was a magic moment when we were greeted by Roxane and her mother, Catherine and because of the holiday we were told we had the restaurant to ourselves.

Our table when we arrived

Each place setting

We were treated fantastically with aperitifs, a five-course meal, plenty of wine, coffee and digestives.

Everything was made in the restaurant’s kitchen with fresh local products; even the raspberries in the dessert were local even though not in season, had been fresh frozen the previous season.

First course - Tureen of Vegetable Soup

Second Course - Crudite Plate, stuffed artichoke, homemade pate, carrots, tomatoes and avocado, beets, grilled carrots and shrimp, roasted pepper, and smoked ham, etc.

Duck Confit with Potatoes

Cheese Plate

Fl;aky pastry with custard filling and raspberries and strawberry coulis.

Our meals were prepared by an experienced chef, who also is an artist and some of his works hang on the walls of the restaurant.

It was a very enjoyable, magical experience that lasted three hours and we enjoyed the company of our hostesses.

Le Diabolo-Fraise

Le Bourg

24250 Nabirat

05 53 59 36 83

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On our return trip to Gourdon, we took a side road to see the village of Payrignac and while driving around we were again surprised by finding “Les Moulin des Fumades” which is a Walnut Oil Mill and Museum.

This establishment was not open, but the owners were outside and very willingly offered to give us a tour which was very interesting.

We also watched a short video with English subtitles that showed the original state of the mill when they purchased the property approx. 10 years ago, the restoration of the property and the first production of walnut oil when it was finally restored.

The business also operates “Chambres d’ hotes”.

http://www.lemoulindesfumades.com/

A fantastic day with glorious weather and returned home fully satiated.